TheladyisMrs.Hilyard,awealthypoetesswholivesinathree-storycitymansionandhercageisherelevator,whichstopsadozenfeetshortofthemainfloorduetoanelectricalfailureonaJuly4thweekend.Sheringsheroutsidealarm,eventuallynoticedbyadrunkenderelict,whobreaksintothehouse,ignoresherplightandhelpshimselftovariousitemsandalcohol.Heleaveswithhislootbutreturnsawhilelaterwithaplumpprostituteandthreeteenagehoodlums,whoproceedtoterrorizeMrs.Hilyardastheywreckherhome.