As an African-American teen in small-town Kansas in the 1920s, Newt Winger largely shrugs off the racial prejudice of his time and place. His calm and self-controlled perspective is in direct opposition to that of his quick-tempered friend, Marcus Savage. But when Marcus’ father, Booker, murders a man — and Newt witnesses the crime — Newt realizes that going to the police could jeopardize both his friendship and his life.