Dieter Paesano exploits the greed of small business "entrepreneurs" operating on the fringes of the gold industry in Africa. They are attracted by any proposition, risky or not, which leverages their investment stake. However, Paesano is running out of projects, the financial returns are falling and the punters are getting restless. He resorts to strong-arm tactics to keep them compliant and puts his thuggish minder, Shorty to work. He ensures complaints reduce as investors disappear ...

Fortuitously, a really exciting proposal comes across Paesano's desk, one that has been passed over by the major mining houses. Dr Richard Curie, a scientist of high industry repute has developed intellectual property that enables gold to be won from low value ore. The IP has been bench-tested, but requires further funding to prove its practicality. Paesano buys out Curie's interest on a "success only" basis. He teams Curie with another scientist and locks them away in a secret secure house to thwart competitors.

It now seems unlikely that the dishonourable Paesano will complete his side of the deal. The scientists begin to fear for their lives as violence escalates ...