When his boss asks him what he is going to do next, Ben responds 'I thought I'd move out to Las Vegas'. He is fired from his job for alcohol related issues and is given a large severance package. After leaving the bar he visits a prostitute, and succeeds only in getting his wedding ring stolen. He attempts to pick up a pretty girl (Valeria Golino) and fails. He borrows some money from his colleague Peter (Richard Lewis), and then proceeds directly to a bar and starts drinking. The movie begins with Ben 'first' shopping for beer, then, in a restaurant.
After arriving, he meets Sera (Shue), a prostitute, and a deep friendship and understanding develops between them. He loses his job, his family, and decides to commit suicide by alcohol consumption in Las Vegas.
Ben Sanderson (Cage) is a Hollywood agent who has lost everything because of his alcoholism.
