The story follows General MacKenzie Hawkins, a legendary war hero and notorious ladies' man, who faces disgrace after defacing a historic monument in China's Forbidden City. Under house arrest in Beijing, he devises an audacious plan to kidnap Pope Francesco I and demand a ransom of one dollar for every Catholic in the world—approximately $400 million. To execute this scheme, he enlists a motley crew, including his four ex-wives and a reluctant army lawyer, Sam Devereaux. The narrative unfolds as Devereaux navigates the chaos and absurdity of Hawkins's plot, leading to unexpected and humorous situations.