Alan tries to talk landlord Rigsby into moving him from the damp, freezing attic, and into the newly vacated room downstairs. Rigsby is having none of it, and instead is persuaded by Miss Jones into letting it to her friend from the university, Philip. Rigsby is not quite so enthusiastic however, when he sees that Philip is black. He is even less enthusiastic when he begins to suspect that the new tenant has designs on Miss Jones. Alan and Rigsby both plot to get rid of Philip, but it is Miss Jones' constant and unwanted attention that cause Philip to pack his cases. Rigsby, unwilling to refund a weeks rent and upon hearing he is the son of a chief, persuades Philip to swap to another room, and so squeezes him in with a less than willing Alan.