Jimmy is immediately given the nickname of Flash by a fellow photographer, and the new name sticks. Flash's first assignment is to cover a fight, but he overexposes the film. He is saved by another photographer, but Flash's bad luck continues. Flash obtains excellent photos of a fire, but his film is ruined while developing. Flash is tempted to pass the loss off as his own mistake, except that his bad luck continues with additional photos disappearing before reaching the editor.

Flash concludes that somebody wants him to lose his job at the newspaper-but how can he discover the culprit? Flash's main suspect has an alibi, and finally Flash uncovers the answer in a surprising fashion and is shocked at the identity of his enemy.