Buffaloed

Peg is a Buffalo-born, razor-smart hustler who uses wit and grit to escape poverty. She shifts from selling counterfeit Bills tickets to building a debt-collection business, persuading and leading others. Her ambition drives bold risk-taking and a controversial path toward financial independence.

Wizz runs the debt-collection firm that first punishes Peg for stepping on his turf, then becomes a direct threat as he sabotages her offices and family. He embodies ruthless capitalism and a willingness to use intimidation to maintain power. His scheming catalyzes Peg’s decision to strike out on her own terms.

Graham works for the DA and provides Peg with insider information about the shady debt racket. Their relationship blends professional collaboration with a personal connection as Peg tries to navigate the dangerous world she’s entering. He embodies the complicated alliance between law and hustling.

Peg’s brother who runs a bar and becomes a touchstone in her arc. He challenges Peg and stands up to Wizz when the stakes escalate, offering a personal incentive for Peg to succeed. He represents family loyalty amidst chaotic schemes.

Peg’s mother, caught up in the chaos of debt and hustle. She supports her daughter yet bears the consequences of the family’s questionable choices. She anchors the domestic side of Peg’s story and highlights the personal costs of Peg’s ambitions.

A detective who follows the rise of the debt-collection racket and intersects with Peg’s plans. She represents law enforcement’s scrutiny of the predatory practices behind the city’s money economy.