Black Books

Bernard's dodgy accountant goes on the run, leaving him ill prepared to fill out his own tax return. Meanwhile, the owner of the shop next door enlists the help of Bernard and his customers to find out exactly what an object from her shop is.

Bernard offers up the accountant position while drunk and then does his best to get rid of his new employee by offering a one-day trial to see if the suspiciously modern-looking Manny is capable of the job. When the verdict goes against Manny, Fran steps in and expresses her opinion about the new hire.

Bernard and Manny are forced to accept a house-sitting job while the bookshop is being cleaned. Meanwhile, Fran's date with an available, attractive and charming man turns into disaster.

Manny, hyper after a night of drinking too many espressos and watching an entire box-set of The Sweeney, is mistaken for a policeman after his high-speed pursuit of a purse thief. And Bernard is snubbed by the same people who invited him to a dinner party the previous evening, and he begins to realize he must have behaved inappropriately.

Neither Bernard nor Manny can operate the newly installed security system for the shop, resulting in Bernard being locked out for the evening, while Manny is locked in. Meanwhile, Fran has a reunion with an old friend with an unbelievably sexy voice.

Manny leaves the shop when Bernard's relentless bossiness gets too much for him. But life is tough on the street, so when a photographer offers him a place to stay he's happy to take him up on the offer - even though the photographer has an unhealthy fascination for beards. Back home, Bernard and Fran argue about Manny's departure.