In the era of Jimmy Carter, a young engineer from California followed a job to small town South Carolina. Recently divorced, he needed a change, but the change he found stretched his credulity. On his first day he met the beloved old black janitor, Willy, who swears the moon landing was faked and the most alluring woman he ever beheld—sadly, she's married to the leader of the local Klan. When she goes out of her way to engage him in conversation, he wonders about her motives. When she comes to work with bruises on her beguiling face and Willy is found hanging from a light pole, he questions his judgment in leaving California. He is now in a world where he can buy a gun at a gas station, but can't buy a broom on Sunday, and every other Saturday night, the field where crosses are burned is full of police cars.