The play tells the story of the fractious relationship between Kemp and his daughter Mrs Platt. Dying in a hospital, Kemp is visited by his relentlessly cheery and patronising daughter who censors both herself and those around her preventing Kemp from forming any sort of lasting connection with her. To add insult to injury, he is surrounded by a bevy of nurses who also talk in meaningless platitudes and who spend more time fighting than looking after their patients. Kemp is the voice of distrust throughout the play, voicing concern over hollow sentiment and false language.