Derek Norris, the uncle of 11-year-old Chris Anderson, has been missing for the last seven years. By his instructions, Uncle Derek is presumed dead. He has willed the Coach House in the village of Herbertville to Chris for any worthwhile purpose. Chris, along with friends Lynne and Samantha (Sam), enter the Coach House and immediately sense things are not normal. The most welcome signs are from Uncle Derek's inventions: a talking video screen named Theta (which displays words on her screen) and a robotic typewriter named Otto. Both Otto and Theta give Chris a pre-programmed warning from Uncle Derek, who implores Chris with the task of uncovering a terrible conspiracy taking place in Herbertville.