Summary
In the affluent cotton town of Cottonia, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi, Stratton's café stands as a beloved gathering place, its flood-proof doors a testament to the town's preparedness against the river's unpredictable overflow. When the inevitable flood arrives, the café becomes a refuge for an eclectic group of individuals, including Billy Bear, a young broker, and Poppy, a charming chorus girl, who find themselves trapped alongside a street preacher, a tramp, a stranded Swedish engineer, and a mix of townspeople from various walks of life. As the waters rise, the group faces the daunting reality of suffocation, prompting a profound transformation in each character as they confront their mortality, confess their sins, and unite in a spirit of brotherly love. However, when they decide to admit the floodwaters, they discover that the crest of the flood has passed, and the group, with the exception of Billy and Poppy, reverts to their former selves, consumed by greed and self-interest, leaving only the young couple to emerge from the experience with a newfound appreciation for life and love.
Synopsis
Stratton's café is a popular place with the people of Cottonia, a wealthy cotton town on the banks of the Mississippi, installs flood-proof doors as a safeguard against an overflow of the river; when a flood comes, it appears that the entire town will be submerged. Trapped in Stratton's cafe are Billy Bear, a young broker, and Poppy, a chorus girl with whom he has been in love. Also there are a street preacher, a tramp, a stranded Swedish engineer, a poor actor, a corporation lawyer, a grasping stockbroker, the bartender, and Stratton, the proprietor. Protected from the sweeping floodwaters, they are secure until the engineer announces that they will suffocate when the air is exhausted. Facing death, all of the characters reform, and uniting in brotherly love they confess their sins and prepare for death. When they decide to admit the floodwaters, they discover that the crest of the flood has passed, and all then revert to their former greediness, except Billy and Poppy, who are happily married.
