In New York's Bowery during the Gay Nineties, a saloon owner and a rebel share a rivalry.

"In the Gay Nineties New York had grown up into bustles and balloon Sleeves ... but The Bowery had grown younger, louder and more rowdy until it was known as the 'Livest Mile on the face of the globe' ... the cradle of men who were later to be famous." The scene opens in a saloon named "Nigger Joe's" ...—Michael Crew <[email protected]>