Musician Sam Greene will play the piano at any dingy Chicago establishment that will hire him. At the end of many evenings, he can count on his longtime mentor, the great jazz pianist Ben Webster to join him for a few numbers. In his seventies, Ben loves playing piano, but one night he leaves the club before playing a tune. The next day, Sam is devastated to learn that his best friend is dead. After Ben's death, Sam's perspective on life takes an abrupt change. He notices how pathetically insignificant one person's life can truly be. Sam trundles through the next few months, conflicted about whether he should allow himself to fall in love with Kate Buckley, the reporter trying to get a story about his friend Ben for "Esquire," or continue his unhealthy relationship with Liz Brightwater of the Brightwater Marble fortune.
Stumbling through interesting yet awkward situations, both funny and sad, Sam realizes that life is happening now. It's admirable to respect the past, but he must also learn to trust his future.