Brian Russo makes the mistake of returning a book he finds on the street to its owner – Jonathan Willoway. For his trouble, Willoway threatens Russo with the police and keeps the book.
Months later, Russo meets an old man at a diner. His name is Louis. He turns out to be angel who has come to Russo for help in retrieving Willoway’s book. Louis explains that what Willoway has is his “life book” – a record of his past and potential future. Willoway could use this knowledge of the future to benefit himself and upset what has been ordained.
After some trouble, Russo and Louis locate Willoway – who now has a new McMansion and staff, including a hulking bodyguard named Cortez. They unsuccessfully try to get him to return the book. When Willoway catches onto their plan, they are “escorted” out by Cortez.
Russo and Louis break in that night and locate the book. Unfortunately, they are caught in the act by an armed Willoway. He shoots at the angel, and the bullet goes right through him.
Russo and Willoway scuffle, and Louis manages to get the gun. In the struggle, Willoway’s life book falls into the fireplace. As it burns, so does Willoway – painfully becoming a pile of cinders. Louis leads Russo – who now remembers nothing of this – outside.
Back in Heaven, Louis tries to convince St. Peter that, like Russo suggested, all the billions of life books should be digitized. He even volunteers for what will be an incredible amount of work.