Maureen Ackerman, a clever, coquettish housewife, starts her day like any other -- the morning crossword, tea, breakfast, after which she sees off her husband with an obligatory kiss and a wave. Then her lover shows up. After seducing her, he gives her a beautiful diamond necklace and challenges her to get it past her husband. Intrigued by both the diamonds and the dare, Maureen concocts a plan involving a pawnshop and a "lost" claim ticket. What follows is a fast game of deception and greed where the tables turn and even the best-laid plans become unraveled.