The play follows a prosperous family in an Oklahoma rural town. Garret Bedford is the owner of a large oil company. The town was founded on the Bedfords' wealth, therefore the residents regard Garret as a saint. However,Garret is an alcoholic, abusive man who has an adulterous affair with his sister's daughter, Eliza. The affair turns out to be a setup for Eliza and her husband, Hector, to exploit her uncle and blackmail him into giving them ten million dollars.