Fletch and Godber go before the governor for brewing Christmas hooch but the governor has to excuse himself with the runs. His new 'trusty' redband Urwin then pulls a gun, taking Barraclough, Fletch, Godber and the governor's secretary Mrs. Jamieson - who, it is revealed, is having an affair with Barraclough - hostage, though the radio report claims that Fletch and Godber are part of the desperate trio wanting a helicopter to fly them to Mexico. After he has accidentally taken the knock-out drops Barraclough intended for Urwin, Fletch comes to and disarms his captor, talking him into giving himself up. Back in the cell Barraclough tells Fletch that the matter of the hooch will be dropped because of his heroism but Fletch now has something to hold over the screw - Mrs. Jamieson.