Gary Bradley left his life in rural Texas to move to the big city (Austin) to pursue his dream of becoming a real estate developer. Describing the landscape as a "blank canvas" upon which he could paint his masterpiece, his vision ran into trouble as soon as it began. Caught short by the collapse of the Savings and Loan industry, Bradley finds himself without funding and severly in debt. As if that weren't enough, his development now faces protests by local groups that claim his development is ruining the largest spring-fed swimming hole in North America. As the movement gains momentum, thanks to the help of Austin-born celebrity Robert Redford, the debate expands its scope culminating in a battle fought in the State Legislature that began during the Democratic governorship of Ann Richards and ends once George W. Bush takes over the office.
