A present day court case will decide the fate of the main character, Mike, who has killed his terminally ill wife, Sarah. As he contemplates the situation, he reflects on his exploits as a computer operator in the late seventies with an unbridled taste for ale, women and popular music. Ironically his former pal and rival in love, Tim, is now the prosecuting barrister. In particular, Mike recollects key scenes from his stormy relationship with Angie before he settled for Sarah. Back then, the women knew exactly what they wanted and Mike was a willing apprentice. Meanwhile, his dull working environment was enlivened by lads being lads. While new sounds of punk and rock music emanated from pub juke boxes, the works vending machines served up predictable tastes and smells in their instant hot curries. Has Mike grown up at last or is his behaviour still programmed to punch out the same routines? Things look bleak as he starts to doubt his own defence of 'mercy killing'. The grieving defendant is cautiously surprised when help comes from an unexpected quarter. Mike could be about to discover that his past is inextricably linked with his future.