Ali Hakim is a travelling Persian merchant who arrives in Oklahoma with a suitcase full of bizarre goods: perfumes, amulets, creams "for all diseases" and even some very dubious "love potions".

He knows how to talk beautifully, bargain and charm women.

The only problem is that his charm works too well — especially on Eido Annie, who immediately decides that he should marry her.

Ali is not evil, just cunning, comical, and almost always trying to escape from situations he has gotten himself into.