The play centers around Anna, a young woman who has returned to New York City after living a troubled life at sea. She reunites with her estranged father, Chris Christopherson, a hard-drinking, weathered Swedish sailor, and attempts to start a new life. The narrative focuses on Anna's emotional journey as she grapples with her past and the strained relationship with her father.The tension in the play deepens when Anna falls in love with Matt, a sailor who works alongside her father. As their romance blossoms, Anna is forced to confront the painful truths of her past, including her experiences as a prostitute, which she had tried to bury. The revelation of her past threatens to destroy her relationship with Matt and further alienates her from her father.