For thirteen-year-old Dante and his friends, life in Babylon isn't about having choices but only trying to stay alive. Dante, born to a crack-addicted mother, needs a heart operation if he hopes to live to reach thirty; Pook seemingly has no hope of going to medical school and becoming a doctor; Wyatt's biggest handicap is being smart in a mostly stupid place - a disadvantage shared by his little brother, Cheo - Jinx is trying to get off crack; and Radgi is homeless out on the streets. But when the boys find a package of pure coke dumped by a drug-dealer running from cops, it suddenly seems that they do have choices... if they can somehow sell it. But that's a very dangerous choice... and will it be the right one?