hewealthiestmanintheworld,JohnP.Merrick,isaprivatepersonwholikestostayanonymous.Oneofhismanyassets,andaminoroneatthat,isNeeley'sDepartmentStore.Thereislaborunrestatthestore,mostoftheemployees'angerdirectedatMerrick,whotheyhangineffigyoutsidethestoredespitenotknowingwhathelookslike.Merrick,nothappyatwhatheseesgoingon,decidestogoundercoverworkingatthestoretometeouttherabble-rousers.UndercoverasThomasHiggins,Merrickgetsassignedasasalesclerkintheshoedepartment,whereheistakenunderthecaringwingofhiscolleagueMaryJones,whoseesinHigginsapoormanneedingtheguidanceoffriends.OneofthoseotherfriendsisElizabethEllis,whoMaryseesasapossible"Mrs.Higgins".Mary'sboyfriendisJoeO'Brien,thechieforganizeroftheemployees,fourhundredofwhomarefollowingJoeinthechargeagainstthestoreandMerrick.Atthestore,Merricknotonlywantsthelistofthefourhundred,butalsowantstochangethosethingshedoesn'tlikeatthestore,chiefamongstthosebeinghisshoedepartmentsectionmanager,Mr.Hooper.ButasHiggins,Merrickalsobeginstoseethingsalittledifferently,specificallyfromanemployee'spointofview.