Vinnie discovers that Dead Dog owns Diana's contract and, over Travis' objections, decides to have her record a new song. Although McPike complains about the money he is putting out on his new venture, Vinnie presses Travis to find him the best producer in the business to record Diana. Vinnie manages to convince McPike that the only way to gain credibility and access in the business is to spend enough money to open the doors of the key players.

Travis hires Johnny Medley, an eccentric and cocaine-addicted producer who once worked with Diana. When Medley tries to pull out of the session, Vinnie persuades him to honor his obligation and complete the recording. The results of the session impress the once doubtful Travis, and Diana sees Vinnie and his interest in her as her only road to recovery.

After Newquay refuses their deal, Vinnie and Travis decide to apply some pressure by appearing uninvited and with Diana, at a party that Radiance Recordings is giving to introduce a new artist. Newquay's wife, Claudia, long jealous of her husband's romance with Diana, orders him to get rid of them at once. Instead, Claudia and Diana end up in a fight after which Newquay has one of his bodyguards follow and beat up Travis.

Vinnie has the OCB investigate Newquay and discovers that his royal demeanor is at odds with his working class background, a secret that Newquay is desperate to keep quiet. Looking further for a way to get to Newquay, Isaac leads Vinnie to James Elliot, a rock music icon who also has a grudge against Newquay. To stir up some publicity, Vinnie signs Elliot to a contract with Dead Dog. Afraid that a contract with Elliot would give credence to Vinnie and his effort to promote Dead Dog, Newquay offers $11 million for the company, minus Diana, Vinnie and Travis. Vinnie refuses the offer and, instead, aligns Dead Dog with Isaac and Shakala Records, while an investigation of Vinnie by Newquay threatens to reveal his identity.

Vinnie has contracted a washed-up songwriter by the name of Monroe Blue to write Diana a new song. After bailing Monroe out of jail, Vinnie learns that he hasn't seen a dime of royalties on ahit song he wrote for Winston Newquay, the owner of Radiance Records. Twine has set up a gala event with the music directors and program directors of the most influential radio stations to promote Diana's new song. Among the guests are Diana's old producer, Winston Newquay and his extremely jealous wife Claudia. However, Diana is nowhere to be found. This being something of a comeback for Diana, the pressure had shaken her confidence slightly.

After blowing everyone away with her performance, Diana goes home with Winston. The next day she tells Vinnie and Travis that Winston is responsible for all of her success. He wants to sign her again and she knows she can't resist him. She tells them that she's in love with Winston and that he'll use anything in his power to get what he wants. Last night in bed she actually agreed to sign with him. She pleads with them to let her disappear to Jamaica for six months to write some songs and put some distance between her and Winston. Vinnie and Travis give her some money against her percentage on the next album and wish her luck.

Promising Eddie that he can work with producer Johnny Medley and arranger Monroe Blue, Vinnie talks the musician into agreeing to a deal. When Newquay learns of Eddie's defection, he sends his henchmen to hurt Medley. Medley is tossed off a building and suffers a broken back. Vinnie is upset when he learns through McPike that no one can connect Newquay to the injury.

Vinnie discovers that Isaac Twine has shipped unauthorized recordings to Tokyo and has pocketed the money from the sale. He confronts Twine who claims he was always planning to give Vinnie his share. Later, Twine gets into a poker game with Newquay. Despite Vinnie's protests, Twine bets his record company . . . and loses. Newquay is ecstatic -- especially since it means he gets back Eddie Tempest.

Vinnie presents himself to Newquay, saying he now works for him. Newquay wants to fire Vinnie, but his wife talks him into keeping him. Twine, who now must start over, visits Albert Cushman. McPike is nearby, trying to monitor the meeting. When McPike hears Twine beating up Cushman, he intervenes and arrests Twine. In return for keeping Eddie Tempest under control, Vinnie uses his leverage to get Newquay to repay Monroe for the money he owes him. Everybody concerned with the situation is satisfied -- especially Vinnie who is now on the insode of Newquay's empire.

Eddie Tempest is upset that he is once again working for Newquay, but Vinnie calms him down. When Newquay forces Tempest to have apress conference, announcing his resigning with Newquay, Tempest surprises everyone by naming Vinnie as his manager. Tempest is later devastated when he discovers that a check he wrote bounced. The money was for a house for his mother -- something he promised her for years. Tempest appeals to Vinnie who forces Newquay's wife, Claudia, to give them the accounting records regarding Tempest. After examining the records, Vinnie determines that Tempest has been hustled. Unfortunately, it is impossible to pin the blame on Newquay.

When Newquay learns of the situation, he explodes. He is angry at his accomplice who failed to keep money in Eddie's account, thereby exposing their fraudulent business practices, and is angry at Claudia for giving up the records. Meanwhile, after much persuasion, Vinnie finally convinces Twine and Amber to help snare Newquay. Twine and Amber talk Newquay into letting him run Shakala. Later, Tempest goes to the Newquay mansion. Claudia, who has been feeling neglected by Newquay, makes love to Tempest. They are carried away by their passion and fall through a skylight, plunging to their deaths.

Bobby Travis learns that Newquay has asked for a restraining order to force himself and Vinnie out of Newquay's company. Vinnie retaliates with a counter-order, preventing their ouster. When Newquay learns of this move, he telephones Phillip Kenderson, a friend who works for Senator Trent, and asks for information about Vinnie Terranova. Kenderson gets the information and without examining it, sends it to Newquay.

Meanwhile, Travis confronts Newquay, asking for better access to the business. Newquay explodes. He tells Travis that he's the new mail boy -- that will gove him access -- and throws him out of the office. Travis sulks for a short time and then realizes he can use the situation to his advantage. He begins to go through Newquay's mail. To his surprise, Travis opens the packet sent by Kenderson and discovers that Vinnie is a Federal Agent. Travis blurts out his findings to Vinnie.

Vinnie demands that Travis keep his mouth shut. Travis agrees and then offers to help Vinnie get Newquay. McPike is unhappy about the number of people involved in the scam against Newquay and thinks they may blow their case by committing entrapment, but agrees to let Travis help. While McPike and Vinnie monitor the conversation, Travis meets with Newquay. Twine and Amber are also present. They show Newquay a tape containing the last music performed by Eddie Tempest. If it was a solo session, the music would be owned by Newquay, but since Monroe Blue aided with the production, Newquay is out of luck. Newquay offers money to Twine. The moment he does, McPike moves in to arrest him.

Despit the doctors' predictions, Isaac thinks he will survive. He even asks Newquay to visit him and make a bet that he will out-live Newquay. The two men make a deal: whoever outlives the other gets to dance on the dead man's grave.

Vinnie and McPike are upset when the judge frees Newquay because the OCB used entrapment tactics. Vinnie refuses to give up his quest to ruin Newquay. He prods Bobby Travis into meeting with Newquay's musicians and to explain Newquay's fraudulent business practices. Newquay's clients begin invoking their right to an accounting. Because he has bilked many of his musicians, Newquay knows he is in trouble.

Newquay learns that Isaac has died and is heartbroken. Even though Isaac was a competitor, he was the only person who really understood Newquat and his style of business. Newquay invites Vinnie to accompany him to Isaac's grave where Newquay does a macabre dance. When Newquay asks Vinnie to join him in business, Vinnie declines. In return for Travis' aid during the OCB investigation of Newquay, Vinnie sells him the recording label for one dollar. Travis accepts and agrees never to blow Vinnie's cover. Vinnie says good-bye to Amber and walks away from the record industry.