Shackled by his dreams of finding black gold on the inherited land poor Texas farm Josh inherited, has kept his family on the brink of poverty. Jean, his oldest of five children, despising the penurious way of life, through her resolute determination, escapes the poverty, making an Algeresque rise, eventually becoming president of a bank. Due to a drought the summer of her high school senior year, Jean has to go to work in the irrigated fields of the wealthy farmers to help put food on the table. Raped by a low life crew boss, her adamant, unbridled resolve, she escapes the detested way of life. Upon getting a job in the rural town bank, Jean discovers there are two ways to climb the corporate ladder in banking. She decides to use both methods when she has an affair with the bank president.