Stingy, pretentious landlord Rigsby is looking for another lodger. One of his current lodgers, Miss Jones, is keen for her acquaintance, Philip, to move in because she is attracted to him.
Rigsby, Alan, Philip and Ruth go out to an upmarket restaurant (which has a strict dress code) for Ruth's birthday. Rigsby borrows his new lodger Spooner's suit, without his permission.