A shrimp fisherman and his unhappy wife are barely eking out a living in a remote fishing village. Currently the wife has the only income, working at the local fish-processing plant, while the husband spends his time working on his broken-down shrimp boat. In the meantime a real estate representative has an accident nearby and is allowed to spend the night with the couple. The husband discovers that the man's company is planning to develop a luxury resort that would destroy their way of life.
| JOHN FINLEY | Shrimp fisherman, 30-40; crude; frustrated; stubborn; bit of a braggart; critical of his wife. |
| MAGGIE | John's wife, 25-35; tough but sensitive; disappointed with her marriage to John. |
| MARY McCLEARY | Maggie's friend and neighbor, 25-35; happily married; expecting first child. |
| NOREEN McCLEARY | Mary's younger sister; very attractive; strong-willed; particular about the company she keeps. |
| DAVE MORGAN | Real estate representative, 40-50; wants a simpler life; takes a strong interest in Maggie. |
| TOM DURGIN | Local sheriff, 40-60; lazy; capable of wrong-doing. |
| JB | Town drunk, 30-50; works part time. |