The work Collection begins as a conventional detective story. We have two spaces, two rooms, and two pairs of individuals, where one member of each pair threatens the peace of the other pair. The four characters are presented as being emotionally interdependent. The different versions of the same incidents that each of them presents may be true, may be a distortion of the truth, or may be lies.

Fatigue, fantasies, and the conscious and unconscious desires of a couple come to the surface because of the Woman's Lover, whose presence reveals their deep loneliness. Pinter denies the viewer what they seek from James Bond films: the myth, the external action. He refuses to develop, or at least expose us to, the plot of his work. This angers some, makes others suspect the author’s inadequacy, and delights others.

However, Pinter does not deny us the plot because he is unable to construct one. He hides it, or ignores it, to force us to look toward something else. With this new approach to theater, the myth can be detrimental, as it may distract us, preoccupy us, and thus prevent us from seeing what the author wants us to see. Audience reactions: there is confusion. They think they do not understand the play and, accordingly, either blame the author or attribute their misunderstanding to their own diminished intelligence.