The old man's will leaves a chunk of money and a Cadillac convertible, but stipulates that his body must be buried in Las Vegas. Harlan Q is ready to make the trip in order to get away from Paps, his Bible-thumping father, who doesn't take to money made by cards and whiskey. Through a little creative coaxing, Harlan Q convinces Paps to transport the quickly ripening body of his grandfather in the back of their station wagon, but it's a long, hot trip.
As they drive the body back to its home, Harlan Q and his father pick up Warrior, a Hollywood-bound, Zen-minded actor-in-training. Warrior helps Harlan Q forgive his prejudices about Paps's single minded-approach to life. Moreover, the trip forces Paps to question his own feelings about his long gone daddy, which may help as he tries to understand his rebellious son.
From the book... "The first time I met my grandfather, he was laid up on a porcelain prep table at the Hamilton-Johnston Funeral Home. His eyes were wide open and he had a grin on his face, but he was dead as a doornail."
