The arrival of a former political activist at the home of a friend triggers a tense confrontation regarding the betrayal that fractured their relationship years prior. Set against the backdrop of the apartheid era in South Africa, the narrative unfolds primarily through dialogue between Piet Bezuidenhout and Steve Daniels. Piet, a man attempting to maintain a quiet life while tending to his aloes, finds his equilibrium disrupted by the return of Steve, who is preparing to emigrate. The play functions as a character-driven examination of moral compromise, fear, and the erosion of trust under an oppressive political regime. The narrative framework is strictly contained within the physical space of Piet’s garden, emphasizing the claustrophobia of their shared history.

Discussion often centers on the play's ability to mirror the broader political instability of South Africa through the microcosm of a single friendship. Readers frequently highlight the stark contrast between Piet’s stoic, grounded nature and Steve’s volatile, urgent desire for change. Critics often note that the pacing is deliberate and methodical, allowing the weight of the characters' unspoken grievances to accumulate over the course of the performance. The work is frequently cited for its unflinching look at how state-sponsored paranoia destroys interpersonal connections. Many readers find the ending particularly effective in its refusal to provide a simple resolution to the moral dilemmas presented.