A Small Town in Texas 1976

Poke returns to his Texas hometown after prison

Daniel Poke Jackson returns home after a five year prison sentence for marijuana possession and is greeted by Sheriff Duke Calley who convicted him. Duke warns that Poke is still under close watch and hints trouble if he stays. Poke says he plans to leave for California, but the reunion sets the stakes for what follows.

Poke seeks a reunion with Kevin

Poke calls Mary Lee Carter and arranges to meet their son Kevin, whom he has never met. Duke warns him off, signaling that Poke is under surveillance. The scene foreshadows personal tensions between Poke and the sheriff.

Poke discovers Duke and Mary Lee's affair

Poke visits Mary Lee to confront her about Kevin. He learns that she and Duke are sleeping together, a discovery that raises the personal stakes in the looming conflict. Despite this, Poke and Mary Lee end up sharing a moment of intimacy.

Duke assigned to guard the Mendez event

Duke arrives at the mansion of political boss C.J. Crane and is assigned to guard congressman-elect Jesus Mendez during a barbecue. After Mendez delivers his speech, a man in a police uniform shoots him, and Duke kills the assassin. Duke retrieves an envelope from the trash and later finds it empty, implying that Poke witnessed the incident and took the contents.

Envelope disappearance triggers arrest warrant

The envelope contents are missing, and Duke suspects Poke of witnessing and taking them. An alert goes out to arrest Poke for marijuana possession, heightening the manhunt and suspicion toward him. The case escalates the tension as Poke tries to stay ahead of the authorities.

Poke reveals the 25 thousand to Boogie

Poke shows his friend Boogie the 25 thousand he found in the envelope, making the money a focal point of the conflict. The cash attracts attention from multiple parties and raises the stakes for Poke. The reveal accelerates the danger surrounding him.

Deputy Lenny chases Poke; two deputies die

Duke's deputy Lenny arrives at Boogie's garage looking for Poke. Boogie stalls him long enough for Poke to escape on a motorcycle, triggering a high speed chase. Two deputies are killed in the pursuit and Poke becomes a wanted man for murder.

Poke seeks refuge with Cloetus

Poke asks junk dealer Cloetus for refuge and he agrees. Poke hides there while the net closes in, preparing his next move.

Boogie collapses and dies; Poke flees to Mary Lee

Early the next morning, Boogie collapses at Cloetus's door, names Duke as his attacker, and dies. Poke hides in the back of Cloetus's truck and makes it through the police cordon to Mary Lee's house. There he explains Duke's role in the Mendez assassination to her and the trio escapes in a stolen police car.

Poke and family on the run; pond incident

A chase follows as Poke and his family escape in a stolen car and drive into a pond, where Poke is captured. While being driven to the police station, Poke tells Lenny about Duke's role in the assassination. Duke retrieves the missing money and begins beating Poke, but Lenny intervenes and Poke escapes.

Crane pressures Duke to recover the money

Crane informs Duke that his career will be finished unless he retrieves the missing money, pressuring him to continue the pursuit. The political power behind the case heightens the danger faced by everyone involved. The money becomes the central motivator driving the final confrontation.

Escape plan with Bull Parker

Poke and his family reach Bull Parker, a former bootlegger who offers to drive them out of state in his customized truck. The escape plan seems feasible until a roadblock interrupts the pursuit. Bull sacrifices himself by urging Poke to continue as he falls.