The new Master, Sir Godber, is in self-congratulatory mood. His plans to impose change on Porterhouse appear to have the College's traditionalist Fellows over a barrel. In response, the Dean and Sir Cathcart D'Eath bring in investigative journalist and former Porterhouse student Cornelius Carrington to help fight their corner. Zipser emerges from a drunken stupor in possession of four gross of contraceptives, and his inflationary measures to dispose of them provide the ageing Skullion with a memorably athletic night. However, far more shattering developments are in store for the loyal college porters.