Anatol Stiller has escaped from his old self and pretends to be different in every way. He is thrown into prison, but eventually admits his real identity. Forced back into his old ways, he causes the unhappiness and death of his wife.

Bud has already killed one of the Kingship sisters, when she inconveniently found herself pregnant before he could marry her. But her sibling, who has never met him, is just as rich, and just as susceptible.

In the future New York City, the Deputy Commissioner of Police is assisted by a robot detective in solving the murder of a scientist.

Adaptation of three Irish stories: The Cheap Jack, One True Friend, Unholy Living and Half Dying