Vincent, the beautiful ribbon salesman, all in a flutter because of the approaching performance of the Hicksville Tragedy Troupe, pays no attention to his customers. Fired, Vincent wafts a kiss to his former employer and gently speeds on his way. Vincent is cast for the hero's role. Ethel, the girl he loves, is to be the heroine. Vincent's rival, Spike Hennessy, is given the cold shoulder by Ethel when he states his opinion of amateur theatricals. Angered by the knowledge that Vincent is Ethel's favorite, Spike vows vengeance. On the night of the performance, Spike and his cohorts get seats right in the front row. The play is a fearful and wonderful thing. Never was hero so handsome and heroic heroine so fair and so persecuted, villain so wicked and cruel. The only hitch occurs when the property man, his anger aroused by the villain's cruelty, heaves a brick at him and knocks him flat. At last the heroine's tribulations come to an end. Vincent steps before the curtain and grandly bows in response to the applause. The premature dropping of the curtain knocks him flat. This is the chance which Spike and his friends have been waiting for. With one accord they rise and bombard the helpless hero with elderly eggs, mature tomatoes and stale custard pies. When Vincent is finally rescued, he looks so ludicrous that Ethel's love gives way to ridicule. The fickle girl, giving poor, plastered Vincent the icy stare, walks home with Spike.
—Moving Picture World synopsis