Flip, also known as Reggie or Ricardo by his boss, works as a plumber for a man who causes him grief. Gunther, the boss, is insufferable, forcing Flip to join him for breakfast every day at a local diner before starting work. Flip quits at the end of every week, but by the time the next comes around, Gunther offers him a fifty-cent pay raise. Flip started out at $4 an hour and he now gets $20. The job not only gives Flip grief, but it puts a strain on his marriage as well, because he goes home every day and rants about Gunther's absurdity for one to two hours to his wife, Tina. Tina has told Flip he needs to quit or she'll leave him, though so far she hasn't acted on it. Gunther has big dreams to become a movie maker and he forces Flip to bounce ideas back and forth with him, despite his hesitations to do so. Flip doesn't want to be creative, but Gunther tells him he's got talent that he can't let him waste, so he berates him regardless. After working at a moderately successful rock band's house, Gunther is inspired to make an epic movie about their lives, to display the highs and lows of music. Gunther takes Flip back to his house that day to have a meeting with investors despite Flip's protests and disbelief at the idea that Gunther actually has connections. Though Gunther chokes up when the investors ask him about his idea, Flip steps in and sells it to them. Gunther ends the night with a check in hand and a promise for other investors. Though Flip is happy for him, he says he can't help on the movie because Tina would leave him. To thank him, Gunther all but forces Flip to go swimming in his pool, then insisting that they dive for bit instead, since Gunther's been taking lessons and has the equipment on hand. While diving, Flip finally sees the benefit of Gunther and begins to crave a life like his, where he can escape the world for a couple hours a day while diving. Flip then agrees to help on the movie.