Cirrus@Austlit

The action takes place over the course of a single afternoon, in the bar of a pub in a small western Queensland town.

The play's main character is James McCall, a racehorse trainer. At the beginning, McCall's wife Mary is trying to convince him to stop betting, claiming his gambling habit is destroying their family. McCall, disgusted at her nagging, sends her home.

One of McCall's horses is about to race in Brisbane, and almost everyone in the bar expects it to win. James, while hopeful of the horse's chances, has secretly made up his mind not to bet this time. He wants to prove to Mary that he can turn over a new leaf. However, he does not admit to anyone before the race that he has not backed the horse.

When the horse wins, Mary, like everyone else, assumes he has backed it heavily. She comes back to the pub, delighted that they are finally in the money, only to be disappointed when she learns no bet was made.

In a kindly gesture, the other drinkers pass the hat around for the McCalls.