John Vernon has just picked up his daughter Allison and adolescent granddaughter Vivian from San Francisco for Vivian, who has a brain tumor, to live out the remainder of what looks to be her short life in comfort at "home" at his desert ranch. They decided against the standard operation that has only a one in a thousand chance of success. They arrive home to discover that the Atomic Energy Commission is not only doing testing in the area, but is planning on building an atomic energy plant in town, with the commission wanting to purchase John's land for possible future expansion. Just on gut reaction, almost everyone in town has an opinion on whether they want the plant in town or not, with those on town council deciding to pass a resolution on the matter to express their opinion formally to their congressman. John is one of the voices against building of the plant, but additional information on atomic research and Vivian's situation may in combination make him see the plant in a different light.
—Huggo