Three salesmen for a foundering industrial lubricant manufacturer hang out in their company's hospitality suite at a major convention, waiting for the arrival of a prospective customer they've privately dubbed "The Big Kahuna," whose potential sales would turn the struggling company around. Phil (Danny DeVito) plays peacemaker between the cynical, argumentative huckster, Larry (Kevin Spacey), and Bob (Peter Facinelli), the company's newest hire, whose religious sanctimony irritates Larry.