The play is based on the one act play ‘A Man Of Letters’, which was Tim’s first commission from Alan Ayckbourn for the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Frank Tollit is saddled with huge ambitions, limited talent and an ambitionless but gifted apprentice. The spectacular reward young Alan gives Frank is a testament to the older guy’s inspiration during the course of what turns out to be Alan’s first and Frank’s last ever job, and is returned, a year later, by Frank to an Alan whose life has not gone the way he expected.