Opal Kronkie, a middle-aged recluse, lives in a tumbledown mansion at the edge of the city dump. The general jumble of her home is aggravated by the fact that Opal collects things—anything that can be toted home in her little red wagon. Opal is an irrepressible optimist and no matter how mean her lot, she responds with unfailing kindness and an abiding faith in the goodness of human nature. Into her lonely world come Gloria, Bradford and Solomon, three purveyors of phony perfume on the lam from the law. Opal's house makes the perfect hideout, and Opal herself may provide the remedy for their faltering finances. They decide what Opal needs is plenty of life insurance (with themselves as beneficiaries) and a rapid demise. As the treacherous trio set to scheming, they find that life with Opal is full of surprises!