The year is 1989. Burbank's very own Rick B. Jeffers is at a crossroads in life. When he accidentally meets porn star Ginger, (Jennifer Tilly), it's lust at first sight. Being an advocate of speed, metal and alcohol can sometimes confuse one's judgment. Much to the dismay of his frigid girlfriend Tamara, with whom he feels his relationship has somewhat "plateau'd, he ventured out onto the road to Palm Springs to meet ginger for a weekend getaway in his aged Buick he calls the fast sofa, due to the enormous back seat.
Being a man of charity, he picks up hitchhiker Jules (Crispen Glover), a 40 year old virgin ornithologist. A wild and reckless road trip ensues, as Rick takes vengeance upon Tamara's side fling, all the while Jules pontificating about the mating rituals of birds as compared to humans. After some tequila and a few flaming arrows have been shot, the boys arrive in Palm Springs. When they find Ginger, all hell breaks loose as her boyfriend and pimp (Eric Roberts) unleashes a brutal disciplinary action upon Rick.
Ever the stubborn alcoholic, Rick doesn't give up, even as Ginger pleads for him to leave. Things get tougher and tougher for Rick on this school of hard knocks road trip. In the end, lessons are learned, some of which are eternal.