Stratton's cafe, a popular spot with the people of Cottonia, a wealthy cotton town on the banks of the Mississippi, installs flood-proof doors as a safeguard against an overflow of the river; when a flood comes, it appears that the entire town will be submerged. Trapped in Stratton's cafe are Billy Bear, a young broker, and Poppy, a chorus girl with whom he has been in love. Also, there are a street preacher, a tramp, a stranded Swedish engineer, a poor actor, a corporation lawyer, a grasping stockbroker, the bartender, and Stratton, the proprietor. Protected from the sweeping floodwaters, they are secure until the engineer announces that they will suffocate when the air is exhausted. Facing death, all of the characters reform, and uniting in brotherly love they confess their sins and prepare for death. When they decide to admit the floodwaters, they discover that the crest of the flood has passed, and all then revert to their former selfishness--except Billy and Poppy, who are happily married.