In 1964, white in LA is the color of convenience. But for Cody, nothing in life is convenient. He falls in love with Malia who is from the nearly extinct Native American Chumash tribe. He is befriended by Mr. Ozzard—a Persian refuge with grandiose, scary tales of faith and betrayal. To add to his angst, and alienation, his father, an Okie during the depression, treats Cody harshly; no different than how his own father did. Watts riots erupt. Malia is kidnapped by a demonic warrior called Rami from the ancient Chokki clan whose brothers were killed by Mr. Ozzard's father. He has mistaken her for Mr. Ozzard's daughter, Eishea. As a boy, Cody must rescue her. As the man he cannot become, he relies on the strength his father has beaten into him. With the help of Malia's uncle and Mr. Ozzard and whatever God is conveniently available, armed with a mythical dagger as deadly as a sliver of ice he has stolen from Rami, Cody forges onward as if a cavalry soldier without a horse. First, he find Malia before he can save Eishea who will most likely be tortured by Rami.