Cliff Spab is initially established as a disillusioned young man and a self-described young white loser from a low-class Detroit suburb. He is characterised as a beer-swilling, dope-smokin' slacker who held a nihilistic worldview. Prior to the hostage crisis, Cliff worked at a fast-food restaurant named Burger Boy. His life, along with his peers', had already fallen apart following the death of his best friend's older brother in a car accident. Cliff and those close to him were simply moving forward, acknowledging that they were generally doomed in the face of time and the world at large.

The pivotal event in Cliff's life began when he and his best friend, Joe Dice, entered a convenience store to buy beer . They were taken hostage by a terrorist group known as S.P.L.I.T. Image, who filmed the ordeal and demanded the footage be broadcast nationally. The terrorist threat resulted in the killing of two hostages. The siege lasted for 36 days, during which time Cliff and the other captives drank all the available beer in the store. Cliff eventually reached a point where he became indifferent to the idea of being killed.

The crisis ended in a shootout initiated when Joe killed one of the terrorists . Cliff managed to shoot his way to freedom, taking a bullet in the shoulder during the escape. Only Cliff and one other hostage, Wendy Pfister, managed to escape. Sadly, Joe Dice died during the ensuing confrontation. Cliff was immediately branded a hero for surviving, saving Wendy, and killing the terrorists.

Following his release, Cliff discovered he had become an instant celebrity because the terrorists had forced the networks to air the footage . His statement, abbreviated as S.F.W., became a massive sensation appearing on banners, newspapers, CDs, and billboard advertisements. Cliff found that his new and unwanted fame served as a bigger prison than his previous apathetic fast-food worker lifestyle. His employer, Burger Boy, capitalised on his notoriety by marketing a "Special $.36 Spaburger" in commemoration of his 36 days in captivity. He visited Joe's older sister, Monica Dice, and had sex with her. Disenchanted by the besieging media, Cliff eventually moved out of his parents' home. Initially attempting to hide out at a friend's sister's elegant home, he later stopped fleeing from journalists. He began to host a videoclip show, give press conferences, and make public appearances. He performed a unique act at a rock concert where he stood onstage to the tune of “Thus Spake Zarathustra,” demonstrating his reluctance to be celebrated, which the audience wildly applauded.

He dedicated himself to reuniting with Wendy, and after evading the media, they visited the closed convenience store and later had sex . They eventually made a public appearance at a high school. This public appearance was cut short when a student, Barbara "Babs" Wyler, yelled "Everything matters!" and shot Cliff and Wendy, seriously wounding them both. While recovering in the hospital, Cliff and Wendy decided to get married.