S27·E97 Episode 2401 (Wed 12th Aug 1998)

Eric is a desperate and broken man intent destroying the wine bar... and himself. All that stands between him and an untimely end is Marlon who out of a sense of loyalty or guilt has chanced across his boss he prepares to torch his former premises. At first Marlon thinks Eric's doing it for insurance reasons but it becomes painfully clear that in fact he intends to do away with himself as well. Eric threatens Marlon that he'll meet the same end unless he clears off and lets him get on with it. Marlon engineered Eric's final downfall when he lost his license, and his feelings of guilt go hand in hand with a genuine concern for his boss. Deep down he actually does like Eric. Bolstered by half a bottle of brandy he pours out his emotions in a cascade of self-pity and recrimination. Everyone hates him so why should they care?