The professionalism and even sanity of the institution's director, Roote, are undermined by his subordinates: the efficient and ambitious Gibbs, the aptly named alcoholic Lush, and Miss Cutts, Roote's calculating and shrewd mistress who is also involved with Gibbs.
The director's competence and mental stability are challenged by his subordinates: the competent and ambitious Gibbs, the aptly named alcoholic Lush, and Miss Cutts, Roote's calculating and cunning mistress who is also involved with Gibbs.