Their mundane life is interrupted by Ralph, a crude and impertinent man handcuffed to a suitcase, who demands shelter. Upper class toff Berto plans to ask bohemian Iga to marry him this evening. Berto is so pathetic that he is unable to assume control in his own house, which irritates Iga. Berto is called by his boss, Mr Cecilio, who insists that Ralph can stay. Bad timing, but that's Berto's job. He runs this house for Mr Cecilio, as a safe place for criminals to hide out occasionally. Mr Cecilio turns up looking for his suitcase, but where has it gone? 'Echelon' means class, or position, and there are a variety of classes represented here. But they do not relate to their character's positions of power. The mysterious lowlife Mr Cecilio being at the top, and sweet but ineffectual Berto at the bottom. The script includes the seductive Peppino, a cheeky young transvestite, who also works for Cecilio and turns up and joins in the chaos. Peppino has a strong positive presence; an aura, a glow. When he is in the room, the mood lifts. This is something needed when the tensions rise, and he makes a great shoulder for poor Berto to cry on.
