One Friday evening, Robert Askew's new partner Ste goads him into watching a football match. His boss catches them and Bob is dismissed on the spot. Returning home early, he discovers his wife Brenda is having an affair. Devastated, he drives off. Bob arrives in Blackpool with the intention of throwing himself from the North Pier, but hesitates. He wants to do it 'properly' and heads into town to find the various items he needs to give the occasion an appropriate ritual significance.