 Tony Soprano is sitting in the waiting room of a psychiatrist after having a fainting spell at his son s birthday party. Reluctant to talk at first, he begins describing some of the stresses he has in his business as a "waste management consultant," including collecting on loans and dealing with rival companies. His family life is a source of pain as he deals with escalating fights between his daughter and wife, his wife s relationship with the local priest, his nephew s expectations of immediate wealth and success, his uncle s anger at not being the boss, and his mother s hostility to everyone.