t's a low day for Edwin Thorn field, labour relations officer at Hoffman Pressburger , the multinational kitchen unit manufacturer. At the factory the labour force is about to walk out because -well, there always seems to be a reason - and at home, well ...
Monica is called for Jury Service and someone sets up a time-and-motion study at the factory which upsets the workers, but Edwin is totally blameless. It doesn't necessarily help.
Edwin discovers he is living in a corrupt society. His son bends the rules of cribbage and the company deceives the auditors. But what about the corrugated iron!
Herman the German arrives and Edwin is blackmailed into entertaining him. What a pity that Monica wasn't fully in the picture.
Crime hits Hoffman Pressbergers and erotic art hits Monica's gallery. Edwin knows it will end in tears and he has a shrewd suspicion whose.
Birthdays are supposed to be fun when you get presents you want, people get your age right and let you choose what you would like to do. It really never turns out like that.
Munich wants the entire work-force to learn German and Robert, Edwin's son, researching an essay, invites Mr Blundell for tea. What else can happen?
Edwin is happy to be conned into doing Christmas duty at the office, rather than spend an awful week with 'friends'. But what about ethnic minorities?