Fowler is a young writer who accompanies Ausable to experience the thrilling life of a secret agent. Initially, he feels let down because Ausable, being fat and having an American accent, does not fit the typical description of a secret agent he had read about.

Fowler's first authentic thrill of the day comes when Ausable switches on the light in his hotel room. He is thrilled and startled to see a man named Max standing halfway across the room, holding a small automatic pistol in his hand. This sudden appearance of danger provides Fowler with the real adventure he had been expecting.