Tom learns the art of salesmanship as a youth helping his father at auctions; but he also learns to drink and gamble. He quits high school to join the Navy in World War II, but returns to finish. He joins the Air Force during the Korean War, meets Bobbi and they marry. A salesman, he is gone a lot and falls in with shady characters. They rig poker games and Tom is nearly killed several times. Then he starts counterfeiting money. Meanwhile, his wife and sons are saved. The first part ends when Tom prays for salvation.