In The Dude from Manhattan, Philip Marlowe is eager for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. He receives a call from an old friend, Buck Lawson, who invites him to his newly acquired ranch near Rattlesnake Mountain. Expecting a rustic getaway, Marlowe is instead greeted by a lavish guest ranch that feels more like a resort than a retreat. Buck, now calling himself 'Buck' instead of Harold, reveals that he is concerned about potential trouble brewing at the ranch, particularly involving a couple from New York, the Mortons.