Irish-Pakistani Kevin O'Grady begins his first day at work in the bear-pit of bigotry, abuse, practical jokes and all-round boorish behaviour that is the workshop of Lillicrap Ltd., manufacturer of novelty goods and souvenirs. The unsuspecting newcomer's unusual racial background quickly proves to be a red rag to his less-than-tolerant workmates.
O'Grady attempts to settle down among his workmates at Lillicrap Ltd., but suffers a severe case of culture shock as he is introduced to the finer points of the English Way of Life by well-meaning factory foreman Arthur Blenkinsop.
When O'Grady gets eight draws on the Treble Chance, life suddenly becomes a lot happier for him. His landlady cooks him a special meal, and the landlord stands a round of drinks at the local.
On his way to holy confession in case he gets killed at a football match, Kevin walks into the middle of a race riot and gets walloped and arrested. When Young Dick finds out that Kevin has doubled his chance of getting to heaven by being both Catholic and Muslim, he is ever so slightly appalled.
Among those giving O'Grady trouble is Kenny: he has always thought of himself as 'one of the lads', but since O'Grady's arrival, the black Cockney workman finds himself now firmly placed on the 'immigrant' side.
Redecorating the office for Christmas, Smelly laments the impending lack of a Queen's Speech on the TV that year. The Shop Steward is quick to denounce Christmas as a capitalist racket, but Kevin puts him straight.
