Daniel Barnes is a family man who works as a member of the Political Police in an imaginary country called Surelia. Ordered by his superior to torture a political prisoner, Daniel becomes sexually impotent. After a visit to Dr Valmy, Daniel discovers that his condition is a self-punishment for what he has done to the prisoner. Mary, Daniel's wife, gradually becomes aware of the secrets of her husband's grisly trade and attempts to persuade him to leave the police service, with devastating results. The play focuses not on the victim but on the torturer and the consequences of his actions for his family, marriage and personal relations.