Abernant is an idyllic rural town ... except for the simmering hatreds, crooked politics and sexual debauchery. The mayoress, to elevate her social status, commissions a statue for the town. But the local sculptor is a drunk, who loves to shock. Duly shocked is the butcher, who has a vendetta with the deli owner, who in turn hates the mayoress. The statue's prospects seem dodgy. Meanwhile, the commodore has hired out his mansion to a film company, which has been less than honest about their plans. Watching all this is THE MID-WALIAN, a newspaper with a desperate need to increase its sales.