The scene is set in the vibrant and infamous Barbary Coast of San Francisco, where "Blackie" Norton, a saloon keeper, offers Mary Blake a position as a singer at his establishment, the Paradise Club. It is New Year's Eve in 1905, and the club, located on Pacific Street, becomes the stage for Mary's rise to prominence. Her captivating performance, particularly her rendition of the song "San Francisco," quickly makes her the centerpiece of the Paradise Club's allure.

Despite her success and growing popularity, Blackie's friend Mat expresses skepticism about her long-term presence in the area, hinting at deeper themes of ambition or personal conflict that may eventually lead Mary away from the Barbary Coast.