Artistic pretensions, financial reality, cultural misconceptions and a foul-mouthed parrot collide head-on in Andrew MacDougall's Glasgow flat when his new roommate arrives.
The biggest problem in Glasgow veterinarian Andrew MacDougall’s life is his friends’ ill-fated attempts to find him a date. Then his best friend and longtime flatmate moves out. Desperate for someone to pick up the slack, and saddled with the care of a foul-mouthed parrot, he’ll settle for anyone with a positive bank balance. Luckily for him, Jack Green needs a new home and moves in with his indie movie collection in tow.
To Andrew’s dismay, however, his new American flatmate exaggerated one small detail—he’s not a published author with a steady royalty cheque, but an unemployed hipster with delusions of literary greatness, a dislike for all of Andrew’s exotic pets, and a penchant for annoying Andrew’s friends. With Andrew as his meal ticket, he’s finally going to write his epic adventure novel set in 14th century Scotland (starring his swashbuckling stand-in, one Randall MacIvor). Well, after he’s finished updating his LiveJournal and watching some television.
Upon discovering the deception, Andrew throws his usual scruples out the window and plans his revenge. In the resulting battle of the roommates, Jack may get some perspective and even a job—but will it cost Andrew the last of his decency?