Heroin

Heroin is one of the main objects in the story. John Converse, wanting to make some type of profit while in Saigon strikes up a deal with Charmian, Converse's lover and a drug dealer. Early in the story Charmian shows Converse a brick of heroin and he examines it. Converse tries it and becomes ill because of the high quality. Charmian and Converse have a plan to smuggle three kilos of uncut heroin into the US aboard a merchant marine ship. Converse paid $10,000 for the majority share in the drugs and should receive $40,000 for the sale in the States. Charmian worries about the plan but Converse assures her that Marge is trustworthy, as is Hicks, his friend and transporter.

While heroin is illegal in the United States, it seems to be part of daily activity in Saigon. Smuggling heroin into the US is a very risky venture...