Joe can change himself into Slim Paler - an alien who is brave and very unlike Joe in his human existence. Joe's fantasy stories have changed his mum into 'the Dark Witch', his dad into the 'Great White Bear', and older sister Liz into 'the Dragon-Woman'. His dad drinks heavily, his mum seems concerned only about her health and taking medicines, and Liz is a teenager from Hell. As a family they aren't much, but Joe becomes concerned about Liz and her new friendships, particularly as these friends meet in the bottom of a dangerous quarry. It is Joe, not the always resourceful Slim, who rescues Liz from the glue sniffing gang and saves the life of one of the young people involved. In so doing, he doesn't need his fantasy characters anymore, and there is hope for the future.