The film was the first NC-17 rated film to be given a wide release in mainstream theaters. A sexy Nomi Malone (Berkley) hitchhikes into Las Vegas hoping to make it as a Las Vegas showgirl. She's picked up by a "kind" man, but everything she owns is stolen by the driver. While an upset Nomi is crying and banging her fists on the side of a car, the car's owner, Molly (Gina Ravera), a seamstress, confronts her. After talking and discovering Nomi does not have any family, Molly takes her in, helping to get her a job as a stripper at the seedy Cheetah Club to make ends meet. One night Nomi accompanies Molly backstage at Goddess, the Vegas show at the Stardust where Molly works as the costume seamstress. There, Nomi meets Cristal Conners (Gina Gershon), the irritable, diva-like star of the show. When Molly tells Cristal that Nomi is a dancer as well, Cristal derisively tells Nomi that what she does is akin to prostitution.