Roy is at the Swindon branch of the First Nat Standard bank. Alan the manager has seen it all in the banking trade and is suitably unmoved by the changes in the industry. His bossy and ambitious assistant Elaine wants his job. Tom, a cashier doesn't want Alan's job, in fact, he doesn't even want his own job.
Tony Gerrier is the editor of the Ashton Gazette. Whilst he's full of regret about life as the editor of a local newspaper, young journalist Helen Meredith is full of enthusiasm to break a big story about the Mayor. She's less enthusiastic about stories concerning stolen wheelie bins and guinea pigs.