Aston(RobertShaw),aquiet,reservedman,livesaloneinatop-floorclutteredroomofasmallabandonedhouseinapoorLondondistrict.HebefriendsandtakesinMacDavies(DonaldPleasence),anoldderelictwhohasbeenfiredfromamenialjobinacafé.IntimeAstonoffershimajobascaretakerofthehouse.Aston'sbrother,Mick(AlanBates)-ataunting,quasi-sadist-harassesthederelictwhenhisbrotherisaway,countermandinghisorders.EventuallyAston,himselfirritatedbythecantankerousoldman,putshimout.