A dentist gains ghost-seeing abilities and navigates supernatural interference in a widow's romantic life.
Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases
The Posthumous Bargain
Frank dies and tasks Bertram with breaking up Gwen's engagement to Richard, setting the supernatural plot in motion. Bertram navigates his growing connection with Gwen while Richard faces mounting personal pressures.
Key Events
Frank's Fatal Accident — Frank is accidentally killed by a bus while trying to buy an apartment. Characters: Frank HerlihyLocation: New York City Street
Bertram's Near-Death — Bertram dies temporarily and gains the ability to see ghosts. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Ghostly Proposition — Frank tasks Bertram with breaking up Gwen's engagement to Richard. Characters: Frank HerlihyLocation: Afterlife/Earth Boundary
Richard's Introduction — Richard is introduced as a human-rights lawyer engaged to Gwen. Characters: RichardLocation: Apartment
Bertram's Agreement — Bertram agrees to woo Gwen away from Richard. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Dental Analysis — Bertram attracts Gwen's interest through professional expertise. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Museum
Shadows of the Past
Bertram dines with Gwen and Richard, assessing their relationship while Frank's ghostly interference creates tension. Gwen reveals she knew about Frank's infidelity, shifting the emotional landscape.
Key Events
Dental Analysis — Bertram attracts Gwen's interest through professional expertise. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Museum
Dinner Confrontation — Bertram dines with Gwen and Richard, assessing the relationship. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Restaurant
Dog Walk & Drinks — Bertram and Gwen bond while Richard handles a work emergency. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: City Streets
Mistress Revelation — Gwen reveals she knew about Frank's mistress the day he died. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Bar
Engagement Broken — Bertram learns Gwen has broken off her engagement to Richard. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Unfinished Business
The engagement shatters, and Bertram confronts his own emotional stagnation after accidentally revealing Frank's secrets. He begins helping other ghosts, realizing they stay because the living haven't let go.
Key Events
Engagement Broken — Bertram learns Gwen has broken off her engagement to Richard. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Frank's Confusion — Frank questions why he remains on Earth after his goal is met. Characters: Frank HerlihyLocation: Afterlife
Gwen's Departure — Gwen accepts an archaeological dig, leaving Richard behind. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Airport
Identity Exposure — Bertram accidentally reveals Frank's secrets, causing Gwen to cut him off. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Jewelry Store
Bertram's Depression — Bertram sinks into depression, seeking pain medication. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Ghostly Redemption — Bertram helps other ghosts, realizing they stay for the living. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Various Locations
Crossing Over
A fatal accident forces a supernatural reckoning, leading to Frank's release and Richard's return. Gwen chooses to stay and rebuild her life, finding closure and new beginnings.
Key Events
Ghostly Redemption — Bertram helps other ghosts, realizing they stay for the living. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Various Locations
Frank's Stagnation — Frank realizes he cannot leave because Gwen hasn't let him go. Characters: Frank HerlihyLocation: Earth
Bus Accident — Bertram gets hit by a bus while confronting Gwen about the truth. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: City Street
CPR & Realization — Richard performs CPR on Bertram as Frank watches Gwen's grief. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Street
Frank's Release — Frank gives Gwen the correct answer and finally departs. Characters: Frank HerlihyLocation: Afterlife
Bertram's Survival — Bertram survives the accident and recovers. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Hospital
Final Reunion — Gwen returns, cancels the dig, and reconnects with Bertram. Characters: Frank Herlihy, RichardLocation: Dental Office
Story Breakdown
Supernatural Premise — Frank dies and Bertram gains ghost-seeing abilities after a medical procedure.
Posthumous Bargain — Frank tasks Bertram with breaking up Gwen's engagement to Richard.
Ghostly Pester — Bertram learns ghosts demand help with unfinished earthly matters.
Romantic Rivalry — Frank's ghostly interference creates tension between Richard and Gwen.
Dishonest Fiancé — Frank labels Richard as dishonest and orchestrates his removal.
Mistress Revelation — Gwen reveals she knew about Frank's infidelity before his death.
Professional Interference — Bertram uses his dental career to connect with Gwen and undermine Richard.
Nitrous Confession — Richard receives nitrous oxide and admits to engagement troubles.
Emotional Revelation — The engagement breaks, and Bertram confronts his own emotional stagnation.
Identity Exposure — Bertram accidentally reveals Frank's secrets, causing Gwen to cut him off.
Cynicism Breakdown — Bertram sinks into depression and questions his life choices.
Ghostly Redemption — Bertram helps other ghosts, realizing they stay because the living haven't let go.
Unfinished Business — Bertram assists ghosts in comforting their loved ones on Earth.
Frank's Stagnation — Frank realizes he cannot leave because Gwen refuses to let him go.
Climactic Sacrifice — A fatal accident forces a supernatural reckoning and Richard's return.
Bus Accident — Bertram gets hit by a bus while confronting Gwen about the truth.
CPR & Grief — Richard performs CPR as Frank watches Gwen's profound sorrow.
Resolution & Healing — Frank finally departs, and Gwen chooses to stay and rebuild her life.
Frank's Release — Frank provides the correct answer to Gwen's question and leaves Earth.
Final Reunion — Gwen cancels her dig and reconnects with Bertram in his office.
Bertram Pincus, a cranky, people-hating Manhattan dentist, develops the unwelcome ability to see dead people. Really annoying dead people. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy, a smooth-talking ghost, who pesters him into a romantic scheme involving his widow Gwen. They are soon entangled in a hilarious predicament between the now and the hereafter!
