The headmaster of Trinity College asks Archie Costello, the leader of the Vigils, a secret society that rules the school, to help with the selling of 20,000 boxes of chocolates in the annual fund-raising effort.

Archie sees the chance of adding to his power - he is the Assigner, handing out to the boys tasks to be performed if they are to survive in the school.

Freshman, Jerry Renault, a newcomer to the corrupt regime, refuses to sell chocolates.

Enormous mental and physical pressure is put on him but he will not give in - the result is an inevitable, explosive tragedy.