Nativity
It is Christmas time and the day of the school nativity play. Eric’s son Brian has a tiny part in it as sheep number six but Eric thinks that even this could prove a landmark in the boys development especially given that Brian’s sole achievement to date has been to put toy cars in his mouth. But then Brian’s never been on stage before and there’s no way of knowing how he will react to the pressure.
Hospital
A job interview awaits Eric, one that seems to represent his last chance of escaping the hell that is the Data Department. But on the way into town to attend the interview Eric is involved in an accident and carted off to Hospital. Unfortunately, though he is hurt he is not hurt badly enough to be a priority case so he must patiently await his turn to be treated. Meanwhile the clock is ticking.
Pony
Like all the other little girls at school, Claire dreams of having a pony and competing in the school gymkhana. Like all the other fathers at school, Eric dreams of being a good father and finding her one. But then as he quickly discovers just finding one is the easy bit.
Potato
Drowning in a sea of debt, Eric desperately seeks to improve his standing with his boss in the last ditch hope of a pay rise. So he volunteers to entertain a troublesome but important client, the Chairwoman of the potato development board Mrs Bont. Come the evening in question everything for once seems to be working out well. The table is laid, the food is out, the guests are about to arrive. Then Eric finds out he is just one potato short.
Tidy
An important Japanese businessman is about to sign a long-term deal with the company for whom Eric works. Prior to signing, the fastidious Kanagawa-San is going on a walkabout to inspect the offices of his new partners. Simple enough you might think, but then Eric’s office is a bit of a mess.
Sex
Desperately trying to finish a key-note speech for a presentation Eric is disturbed by the sound of the au pair and her boyfriend romping next door. It highlights for Eric the fact that everyone in the world seems to be sexually active apart from him and plunges him into a stressful depression. Then out of the blue a former student girlfriend rings and his problems seem to melt away.
It is Christmas time and the day of the school nativity play. Eric’s son Brian has a tiny part in it as sheep number six but Eric thinks that even this could prove a landmark in the boys development especially given that Brian’s sole achievement to date has been to put toy cars in his mouth. But then Brian’s never been on stage before and there’s no way of knowing how he will react to the pressure.
Like all the other little girls at school, Claire dreams of having a pony and competing in the school gymkhana. Like all the other fathers at school, Eric dreams of being a good father and finding her one. But then as he quickly discovers just finding one is the easy bit.
Desperately trying to finish a key-note speech for a presentation Eric is disturbed by the sound of the au pair and her boyfriend romping next door. It highlights for Eric the fact that everyone in the world seems to be sexually active apart from him and plunges him into a stressful depression. Then out of the blue a former student girlfriend rings and his problems seem to melt away.