Aremis, abandoned by his mother, lives with his embittered aunt in New York City. His bleak existence is brightened by Joseph, a mentally handicapped boy who helps Aremis collect "junk" for free-form sculptures. When a gang attack leads to Joseph's death and drives Aremis into hiding within New York's subway system, a Vietnam veteran (Charles S. Dutton) and a coffee shop waitress (Jasmine Guy) help him survive in the harsh world of the homeless.