SYNOPSIS:

Louisiana. 1990s. Despite their excellent standing in the community, Erika and Nik Schnörrer are going through a tough time. Natural disasters have ruined the crops, destroyed their barns and even stolen a couple of their best friends and bad investments, including Nik’s stubborn desire for a milk factory, has taken their toll on the couple. Despite their hardships, the Schnörrers continue to take in the town’s panhandlers and strays, offering them a roof and pocket money in exchange for some help on the farm. An agricultural accident takes one of those farmhands from this world and the town gets together with the Schnörrers to give him a decent burial. The event is ordinary, but it puts into motion a set of thoughts and ideas that the Schnörrers hadn't considered before. A life insurance policy. Charlie is the first to fill out the forms and sign on the dotted lines. But the young sod is workshy and the Schnörrers are quick to employ someone else to help them out with the heavy lifting. In comes Coaltrain. A 36 year-old educated drifter who has chosen the life rather than the other way around. Crafty, Coaltrain quickly worm his way to the heart of the old farmer Nik. Seemingly helpful and kind hearted, Coaltrain builds a respectable facade in his new hometown. And even when Charlie, strung out and desperate, attempts to murder the very people who tried to help him, Coaltrain is there to see that everything turns out for the best. Worn-out by the continuous financial struggle, Erika is quick to capitalize on Charlie’s mistake forcing him to fake his own death in order for the Schnörrers to claim the life insurance. Coaltrain goes along with it. Pretending ignorance, the older farmhand carries on with his job keeping it up the facade of the friendly and helpful fella only to blackmail the Schnörrers on it when the time comes for him to show his cards. In the meantime though the Schnörrers continue with their life of penury. The milk factory is a complete loss and Erika more than once threatens to close it down. When Coaltrain finally manages to create a setting where he is free to get on with his lawless life, his real side finally makes its appearance and dragging the Schnörrers with him. Fully taken by Coaltrain’s personality, Nik falls for the farmhand’s lies, but Erika is more skeptical always seeing through his many sides. But even Erika won’t be able to stop Coaltrain’s murder streak when the family’s financial problem escalates and the bank comes after the farm. In one last sleight of hand Coaltrain forces Erika in a corner. Alone and tired, the old farmer gives in setting Coaltrain free to murder at his leisure.