While the paper investigates a story on stolen guns, Lou himself becomes the victim of an Irish gun dealer who steals his identity to obtain weapons.

Checkbook journalism - payment for a new story- becomes an issue when a source wants money to document a dangerous motorbike scandal. Cold financial facts are also brought home to the staff when Hume takes a talented editor to task for padding his expense accounts.

With the staff short-handed, Lou decides to work the night shift.