The rustic small-scale business owner chances on money after many years as a labor leader. He decides to get into politics and runs for the governorship of his state and loses. Another unsuccessful shot at the congress seat leaves him almost pauperized. He is rescued from starvation by an appointment as a board chairman in a central government-owned industry.

Following the pattern of the colossal and unmitigated corruption in his country, he aims for a kill and lands the mega-billions from the loose coffers of the oil-rich republic. A rather belated attempt at atonement through religion alienates him from the barbaric political culture that had enabled his meteoric rise. His alienated former colleagues aim for his jugular.

The swallowed billions had not quite sunk in when the military struck.