The gold-plated Babylon of a Florida pleasure resort contrasts with the work of a group of archeologists who are unearthing the remains of a primitive settlement in the area. Tom Sorrento, a one-time football hero of humble origin, bewildered his family by becoming an anthropologist. Ira deKay is the PR man, the smart operator with a hand in every racket and and a rake-off in every deal, the pleasure merchant who can 'arrange' anything and anyone. The clash between these two men is inevitable; tense and ironic, since they are both in love with the same woman. There is plenty of sex, drinking, affairs, politics and archaeology - and illustrates how Florida was transformed from its natural beauty into today's Mecca for the rich, famous and tourist.