At the heart of something inside is broken is the story of two young lovers from the Nisenan Tribe. The heartbreak and bloodshed in the tale are interspersed with satirical comic relief by short segments of a reality show, 'Frontier Idol'-hosted by the first 'Governator' of California, Peter Burnett-pitting 1846 slave hunters against the Native enslaved girls. The story follows actual and created figures who were affected by Johann Sutter's methods of exploitation to build his fortune-making empire at Sutter's Fort. Through story, song and dance, the world-altering clash is brought to life.