Harlan has nothing in common with his parents. When Puerto Rican exchange student Caesar, a ladies' man, stays at their house, they go to the same high school. Harlan discovers Salsa thru him, both music and dancing.
Years later, when his dad falls thru a hole in the ice and drowns/freezes, Harlan decides it's time to leave home and Wyoming and drive to LA to stay with Caesar and play drums in a Salsa band. He makes the mistake of stopping at a roadside diner. He meets Jude there. Two hit men arrive looking for Jude. Jude leaves a bag in Harlan's car before getting shot.
At Caesar's house in LA, Harlan discovers the bag. The two hit men are looking for the bag. Harlan auditions as a drummer for a scary looking salsa band not expecting a blanco/white. Coming home, a cop is waiting for Caesar, who's left for NYC.