World-wary journalist Frank Buchanan returns to Australia for a rest, but all hopes of a quiet life disappear when he forms an unlikely partnership with an opportunistic young taxi driver, Yannis Moustakas, and begins working for Laura, his new editor.

Frank cannot escape disaster and Yannis. He is ejected from his motel room and agrees to stay at Laura's house, where he becomes the target of Beverly, a woman caught between separation and divorce.

Laura asks Frank to write an in-depth article on post-feminism. He researches the story by interviewing the women he knows best and discovers facets of Laura and his former wife he never knew existed. At the same time Yannis has taken over the management of an all-female rock group.

Despite his loathing of machines, Frank is not averse to using his old Olivetti to help out a mate, even though it involves the kind of writing he'd rather avoid. His friend, Greg 'Topsy' Turvey, is "blocked" and Frank enters the world of commercial television by writing a soapie episode for him.

Frank's son Gordon suddenly appears on his doorstep. He wants to use Frank's place as a hideout. For Frank it is a chance to re-establish their relationship.

At Laura's insistence Frank follows up a story about an reclusive old film star who starred in a lost classic, Miracle at Jackaroo Downs, alongside Errol Flynn. Kate MacQuire went into hiding after Flynn jilted her and seems to have gone further off the rails ever since.

Frank is in the throes of buying furniture for his home when Yannis, who wants to start his own casino, suggests they have a night out on an illegal gambling boat. On the boat they meet Sylvia, a friend of Yannis' and a casino hostess. She tells Yannis there's more to the boat than meets the eye.