Jade Cochran is an incredulous, cynical waitress who works at a rundown cafe. Determined to escape her lowly life and earn extra money, she agrees to take a second job serving meals to the workers of a traveling carnival sideshow that has arrived in town. She soon makes friends with Pat, a stripper, and Steve St. John, the owner of the carnival and overseer of the freakshow exhibit.
Allured by Steve's wealth, Jade sets her intent on romancing and marrying him for his money. Jade manages to woo Steve, and the two eventually marry, though Jade continues to carry on an affair with Blackie Fleming, a gruff ride operator at the carnival. Steve soon confronts Blackie about the tryst, and the two get into a violent tussle in which Blackie stabs Steve to death. Blackie is convicted of Steve's murder, and Jade happily inherits Steve's assets, including the carnival.
Jade begins abusing her newfound power as the owner of the carnival, and fires Shortie, a dwarf in the freakshow who originally informed Steve of Jade's indiscretion with Blackie. In retaliation, Shortie and the other the carnival freaks band together and corner Jade at the carnival, viciously attacking her. Some time later, Jade, grossly mutilated and without legs, is placed on exhibit in the carnival's freakshow as the 'Snake Woman'.
