Jerry spends his life of solitude with a single companion - his cowriter for the popular TV show Dead Funny Ted, a mysterious fellow named Murdock. However, when Murdock literally vanishes into thin air, Jerry realizes he may not know his close companion at all. As he is wheelchair bound, he asks a friend to investigate for him, a man known as Franz. Franz visits Murdock's apartment only to discover his dog is unfed and the place hasn't been tended to in days. He wanders into a back room where tree branches poke through the floorboards and a semi-human monster nests in their boughs. Horrified, Franz flees, only to get a call from his sister saying a man named Murdock is coming to visit him. Murdock arrives in a white van and surveils Franz's house, pausing to stare up at an upstairs room where Franz is hidden. After Murdock leaves, Franz decides it's time for him to go on vacation - either he's so exhausted he's hallucinating, or something even worse is afoot. The next morning, Murdock arrives to consult with Jerry at the normal time. Without realizing anything is amiss, Jerry commences their traditional writing session.