Frank Meade's colorful career as a Marxist rock star and actor has long since faded by the time he returns to his ultraconservative hometown of Oxford, Colorado. But his homecoming is only the first in a series of events that will turn the sleepy and apathetic farming community upside down.

Even though he hopes to live a quiet life in his family home, Frank quickly becomes entangled with the local landed gentry who are scheming to get rich by selling off Oxford's water. And it isn't long before he attracts the unwelcome attention of a corrupt sheriff, the FBI, and a mysterious pair of international assassins.

But in a forgotten and seemingly unimportant little corner of the world, friend and foe alike will soon come to realize that Frank Meade is the only one who can save the town.