The Paraclifta Consortium -- made up of a hardware store owner and four of his retired buddies in the small town of Paraclifta, Arkansas, in 1982 -- finds itself in the middle of a colossal town feud over what to do about a Civil War statue damaged in a tornado. In less than a week, the whole episode spins wildly out of control and draws in everyone from a US Congressman and local officials to outside agitators and both of the town's cafes. In the end, the Consortium has to carry out a clandestine operation that may restore the local peace or just pour gasoline on the fire.