Mild-mannered bank clerk Henry Stirling attempts to do his wayward, unreliable brother Charley a favour by paying off his latest debt, a sum of £5, to local music hall theatre owner Mr. Hobson; and Hobson is so pleased with having the debt so honestly paid off that he insists Henry take a seat and enjoy his latest variety production, entirely at the management's expense.

Strait-laced and uncomfortable with the ribald nature of the entertainment, Henry soon attempts to make his leave but is mistaken for a willing, volunteering participant for the hypnotist act, Mendoza and his assistant, Angel, who have just taken to the stage.

Explaining his scepticism of the art, Mendoza never the less quickly works his magic with Stirling and loosens him from his regular prim-and-proper nature, encouraging Henry to believe and act as a lothario. Immediately setting his sights upon Angel and pursuing her across the stage, Mendoza falls and the performance is swiftly curtailed - before the hypnotism can be undone!

Returning to his very comfortable suburban home, Henry quickly annoys his similarly prim wife Florence, makes advances toward their maid, and evidently has absolutely zero recollection of where he's been, what he's done, or why these strange impulses keep coming over him!

His position at the bank is put under similar strain over the coming days as Henry finds himself giving out free money, skipping work altogether, and accidentally swapping his sandwiches for a £300 bundle of £5 notes. Florence is incredulous to his "cannot remember" excuse but also deeply worried and calls the doctor, whilst Henry calls on Charley for assistance. A series of visitors at the house only prove to add to the confusion: especially when they discover the cash in his briefcase!