Is there no cure for the summertime blues? Maverick medic, Nick Welford, mixes a prescription of ancient wisdom, music and ritual to treat a serious case - with some unexpected results. His reward is an introduction to an ad-libbing game - and the consolation of philosophy. Meanwhile his own summer is going from bad to worse. All this while he wrestles with his nightmare prognosis - doctor-driven plagues and pandemics. These burdens ought to make for a sombre character but humour is often just around the corner - like the theatre, jazz and losing money on the horses.