Lyman Lamartine is a young Native American man and currently resides in North Dakota. Cars are typically considered too pricey to be on the Native American reservations there, but Lamartine remembers when his brother brought a red Oldsmobile convertible to the area. Everyone was shocked to see a car, but Lyman was lit up with excitement. Time after time, he asked his brother if he could ride in it with him.
Lyman has a job, and is able to secure a positive income. So, when he sees a car for sale, he decides to buy it, remembering all of the excitement automobiles brought to him in his youth. He brings his brother, named Henry, along with him in the car as they drive around the country exploring. Eventually, they meet Susy, a nice young girl who agrees to travel with them.
When the two return to the plantation from their travels, Henry is drafted to go to war. He survives, but takes him three years to get back. In this time, Lyman keeps up the car's maintenance, reassuring his brother that everything will be all right with the car and the war.
When Henry finally comes back, he appears to have PTSD disorder from the war. He no longer talks to anyone that much, and is always quick to be alarmed. Lyman and his mother suggest that he go to the hospital for treatment, but they decide against it.
Lyman tries showing Henry the car to cheer him up, but he doesn't seem that amused. He simply decides to come in the car with him to a bar, where they drink alcohol and meet girls. At the bar, Henry says he is ashamed of being Native American, and hints at suicide. After leaving the bar, he jumps into a river, and Lyman is not sure whether or not he did it on purpose. He jumps in after to save him, but it is too late. Lyman pushes the car into the water as well.
