It is 2002, and Dave is 59. A former university lecturer, he had to retire after suffering horrific facial injuries which have resulted in his becoming a recluse. He becomes emotionally dependent on his counsellor, Susie.

Susie encourages him to end his isolation by making on-line contact with his former school-friends whom he has not seen since he left his home town. E-mails are exchanged, and his old friends begin to confide in him about each other. Dave realises he can influence their lives by breaking these confidences.

He begins to act as a puppet-master, with devastating consequences not only for his former friends, but ultimately for Dave himself.