Taking place during the Great Depression, within a western rural town plagued by drought, the narrative unfolds over the course of a sweltering summer day, centering on Lizzie Curry. A woman of spinster status, Lizzie manages the domestic duties on a cattle ranch for her father and two brothers. As the relentless drought threatens their livelihood, the Curry family is more concerned with Lizzie’s dwindling chances for marital bliss than their ailing livestock. The plot thickens with the appearance of Starbuck, a suave con artist who promises to summon rain for a fee of $100. The ensuing events sparked by Starbuck’s proposition lead to a transformative experience for Lizzie, giving her a chance to view herself under a different, more empowering light.