Dead Man is the story about a man, William Blake and his journey towards a new life. The story unfolds as Blake is first introduced to the rough life of the West, as he travels by train to Machine Town where he expects to start a new job. Upon his arrival in town, he is amazed by the lack of civility amongst the people, both male and female. When he reaches his place of employment, Blake finds out that his job was given to someone else. This leaves him destitute because he had used all of his money for the journey. After wandering through the streets, he enters a saloon to purchase a bottle of liquor with his last remaining money. While sitting outside the saloon, a woman, Thel Russell, is rudely pushed into the street by an inebriated trapper. Blake approaches Thel, helps her collect her belongings, and walks her home. Thel invites Blake in for a drink and he ends up spending the night. The next morning, Blake and Thel are interrupted by Thel's finance, Charlie, as he walks into her room. An argument ensues and Charlie pulls out a gun, intending to shoot Blake, but Thel throws herself in the line of fire and the bullet hits her first before hitting Blake. Blake then shoots Charlie with Thel's gun. After realizing what has happened, Blake collects his belongings and exits through a window, landing in the street. He steals a Palomino horse and rides out into the wilderness. It is when he enters the forest that he meets an Indian named Nobody who helps him with his wound and guides him on his journey. In the meantime, back in town, Charlie's father hires three gunmen to track and kill Blake and to also bring back the Palomino which he owns. During this time, wanted posters are put up all over the county. Trackers, marshals, and individual men with guns all start to hunt Blake for the bounty money. There is much bloodshed before Blake's journey ends.