A wealthy man recounts his dissolute life to a celestial gatekeeper to determine his afterlife destination.
Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases
The Heavenly Petition
Henry arrives at the celestial reception area and petitions His Excellency for admission to Heaven. He acknowledges his dissolute past while the gatekeeper questions his spiritual qualifications.
Key Events
Heavenly Arrival — Henry arrives and is personally greeted by His Excellency to petition for entry. Characters: His Excellency, Henry Van CleveLocation: Heavenly Reception Area
Qualification Petition — Henry acknowledges his dissolute life while His Excellency questions his qualifications. Characters: His Excellency, Henry Van CleveLocation: Heavenly Reception Area
Grandfather Bond — Young Henry is spoiled by his parents, but grandfather Hugo grasps his true nature. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Estate
Scandalous Romance
Young Henry pursues a mysterious woman, leading to a secret elopement that scandalizes his wealthy family. His grandfather Hugo secretly approves of the unconventional match.
Key Events
Grandfather Bond — Young Henry is spoiled by his parents, but grandfather Hugo grasps his true nature. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Estate
Bookstore Encounter — Henry follows a mysterious woman into a bookstore, pretending to be an employee. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Brentano's Bookstore
Elopement Decision — Henry confesses his true identity and convinces the woman to elope with him. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Public Telephone
Family Scandal — The family is scandalized by the elopement, though grandfather Hugo secretly approves. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Residence
Family Reconciliation — Henry and his wife are eventually received back into the family fold. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Residence
Marriage & Fatherhood — Henry enjoys a happy marriage and becomes a proud father to a son. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Home
Marital Trials
Henry navigates a misunderstanding regarding his fidelity on his tenth anniversary, prompting a second elopement with his wife. His grandfather delights in the romantic reconciliation.
Key Events
Marriage & Fatherhood — Henry enjoys a happy marriage and becomes a proud father to a son. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Home
Anniversary Misunderstanding — Henry sneaks into his wife's parents house to correct a fidelity misunderstanding. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Strable Residence
Second Elopement — Henry successfully begs forgiveness and convinces his wife to elope a second time. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Strable Residence
Grandfather Delight — Hugo expresses great amusement and approval at Henry's romantic persistence. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Hugo Van CleveLocation: Strable Residence
Chorus Girl Meeting — Henry meets Peggy Nash before her performance, initially appearing to court her. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Peggy NashLocation: Dressing Room
Paternal Duties
Henry confronts a chorus girl to protect his son from her advances, successfully bribing her to stay away. He later resumes a vibrant social life after his wife passes.
Key Events
Chorus Girl Meeting — Henry meets Peggy Nash before her performance, initially appearing to court her. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Peggy NashLocation: Dressing Room
Protective Intervention — Henry reveals his true motive is to protect his son Jack from Peggy. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Peggy NashLocation: Dressing Room
Financial Settlement — Henry pays Peggy Nash to ensure she stays away from his son. Characters: Henry Van Cleve, Peggy NashLocation: Dressing Room
Son Relief — Henry's son expresses gladness that the problematic relationship was resolved easily. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Home
Wife Passing — Henry's wife passes away shortly after their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Home
Final Judgment
Henry celebrates his seventieth birthday and experiences a prophetic dream before passing away. His Excellency reviews his life story and denies him entry to Paradise.
Key Events
Wife Passing — Henry's wife passes away shortly after their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Home
Social Resumption — Henry returns to an active social life, amusing his son with his vigor. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Manhattan Social Circles
Seventieth Birthday — Henry celebrates his seventieth birthday, followed by a prophetic dream about a nurse. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Residence
Prophetic Dream — Henry dreams of a beautiful nurse, foreshadowing his impending death and care. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Henry's Bedroom
Final Passing — Henry dies under the care of the nurse from his dream, ending his life. Characters: Henry Van CleveLocation: Van Cleve Residence
Heavenly Verdict — His Excellency listens to the completed life story and renders a final verdict. Characters: His Excellency, Henry Van CleveLocation: Heavenly Reception Area
Annex Directive — Henry is denied Paradise and directed to a vacant room in the annex. Characters: His Excellency, Henry Van CleveLocation: Heavenly Reception Area
Story Breakdown
Celestial Petition — Henry arrives at the heavenly reception and formally requests admission while acknowledging his flawed past.
Gatekeeper Greeting — His Excellency personally welcomes Henry and initiates the evaluation process.
Qualification Doubt — The gatekeeper questions Henry's spiritual worthiness based on his known history.
Early Life Dynamics — Henry's upbringing in a wealthy Manhattan family shapes his character and romantic tendencies.
Grandfather Bond — Hugo Van Cleve understands Henry's nature better than his own parents do.
Bookstore Encounter — Henry follows a mysterious woman into a bookstore, initiating his romantic pursuit.
Romantic Pursuits — Henry's unconventional approach to love leads to scandalous elopements and family drama.
Elopement Scandal — Henry convinces his love interest to run away with him despite her engagement.
Family Reconciliation — The Van Cleve family eventually accepts the couple back into their social circle.
Marital Trials — Henry navigates fidelity misunderstandings and successfully reconciles with his wife twice.
Anniversary Crisis — Henry sneaks into his in-laws home to clear up rumors about his affairs.
Second Elopement — Henry begs forgiveness and convinces his wife to leave with him again.
Paternal Duties — Henry prioritizes his son's well-being over his own romantic impulses, using financial means.
Chorus Girl Meeting — Henry encounters Peggy Nash in her dressing room under the guise of courtship.
Protective Bribe — Henry pays Peggy Nash twenty-five thousand dollars to stay away from his son.
Final Judgment — Henry reaches the end of his life, faces celestial evaluation, and receives his afterlife placement.
Prophetic Dream — Henry dreams of a beautiful nurse, foreshadowing his death and final care.
Annex Directive — His Excellency denies Paradise and directs Henry to a vacant room in the annex.
Spoiled playboy Henry van Cleve dies and arrives at the entrance to Hell, a final destination he is sure he deserves after living a life of profligacy. The devil, however, isn't so sure Henry meets Hell's standards. Convinced he is where he belongs, Henry recounts his life's deeds, both good and bad, including an act of indiscretion during his 25-year marriage to his wife, Martha, with the hope that "His Excellency" will arrive at the proper judgment.
