A frustrated advertising executive is confused to receive a job assignment from her boss to write the screenplay to a horror film. Recruiting the help of her friends, a weekend camping expedition becomes the forum for each to share their scariest stories, which become frightfully real.

As Zipper's Clown Palace (a strip bar) closes, Neil wanders in and decides to hold the dancers, bartender, and remaining customers hostage. He torments them with little tasks he wants performed, playing on their weaknesses and relying on his gun for intimidation. Eventually the hostages begin formulating plans to thwart his control. Meanwhile, two policemen are observing the outside of the strip joint, realizing that something's wrong and trying to decide if it's worth ruining their buzz to intervene.