Aging Broadway actor Booth Templeton is at home, watching his much-younger wife, Doris, flirting with a gigolo by the pool. The butler, Marty, comes in with Booth's daily medication, and Booth half-jokingly wonders what will happen when his pills stop working and he dies. He notes that he hasn't achieved any contentment with his wife and fondly reminisces about the happiness he had with his first wife, Laura, who died after seven years of marriage. Marty suggests that Booth tell the director of his new play that he cannot make the first day of rehearsal, but Booth insists on going. He arrives at the theater late and meets Sid Sperry, the play's unctuous financial backer. Sperry informs him that the director has been replaced by up-and-comer Arthur Willis. Booth enters to see Willis announcing to everyone in no uncertain terms that he is unquestioningly in charge; he lectures about punctuality and discipline, implies that the distinguished Booth is no more important than any of the other players, and ends with a pointed question to him about his commitment to the play. Pressured and desperately unhappy, Booth runs out the stage door, and is greeted by a crowd of admirers applauding him for his latest performance. Their attire and a nearby vehicle suggest to Booth that something is amiss; a play poster, and a stagehand inform him that he is inexplicably in 1927—more than 30 years in the past. The poster says that "1927's Big Hit!", The Great Seed, was written by Booth's best friend, Barney Flueger. The stagehand tells Booth that his wife is waiting for him at the speakeasyaround the corner. Eager to see Laura again, Booth runs to the speakeasy; the owner, Freddie, lets him in. Laura is drinking beer with Barney and assumes Booth is wearing makeup to make him look older. He wants to talk to her in private about their relationship and the phenomenon he is experiencing. She refuses, insisting that she just wants to have a good time. She then ignores him and fans herself with a script which Booth, wanting her attention, snatches from her and puts into his jacket pocket. He tries to explain that he is from the future and that she and Barney are both dead in his time. They treat him as though he is joking or crazy, and continue partying. When Booth objects, Laura says, "What did you expect?" Barney adds, "Yes, old chap, what did you expect?" Booth seriously professes his love, but Laura bursts out laughing. When Booth tries to force her into leaving with him, she slaps him and tells him, "Go back where you came from; we don't want you here." Confused, hurt and puzzled by Laura's hostility, Booth storms out. As soon as he leaves, the music suddenly ceases mid-song and everyone stops moving. The room becomes dark, with light only on Laura and Barney. Laura steps forward and Barney fades into the darkness. Alone, she stares sadly at the door of the bar. Then she too, fades into the blackness. Booth runs to the theater and reenters the stage door. Suddenly, he is back in the present. He fans himself with Laura's script, and notices that it is for a play titled What to Do When Booth Comes Back. Flipping through it, he discovers that everything in the speakeasy was scripted. Booth realizes that ghosts from his past were performing for him, to force him from his paralyzing nostalgia. Sperry and Willis are waiting for him and demand to know if he is there to work or not. Booth asserts himself, dismissing Sperry and demanding respect from Willis. The rehearsal begins, with Booth now living happily in present time.
