Set in the hot houses of a stately home in the eighteenth century, a gardener falls from grace when the Duke sets him the impossible task of growing prize pineapples fit to show off in high society.

The gardener's star falls further when he is replaced by Mr Amicus, a pineapple 'specialist', who he believes to be a charlatan and a trickster - but nevertheless miraculously produces fruit to delight the Duke.

Determined to uncover Mr Amicus's tricks, the gardener sneaks into the pineapple house to uncover the mysterious shrouded birdcage Mr Amicus carries with him. And what he finds changes his lifeforever...