Maurice Schwartz is a hurdy-gurdy man, a player of what is essentially a giant music box who sets up in public places, plays his tune, and is rewarded with small change. In this case, he approaches a man who gives him a large bill to essentially go away. However, Schwartz figures he is paid to play music, and he's going to play his music for the man, pursuing him through a number of increasingly bizarre situations to give him his money's worth.