In the Rust Belt city of Buffalo NY, visionaries start a manufacturing venture, building hybrid cars, at the very moment that Democrats nominate a progressive as candidate for mayor. The local crime family takes an interest in new money in town, precisely when a younger group of criminals, fresh out of prison, moves to unseat that established family. The hero is son of the first member of the family who abandoned the life of crime; the father pursued radical economics at the university in the 60s, when he foresaw that the corporations would co-opt much of American life, including crime. Thus, his son understands what's happening in his home town and tries to influence the bad parts for the better and profit from the good.
