Instant Karma 1990

Zane Craig Sheffer is the writer-producer behind the TV show Rock & Roll P.I. He appears to have a successful career, yet he feels lonely and is enduring a particularly rough week. On the chaotic studio lot, he ends up clashing with Reno David Cassidy, the show’s temperamental star, during a tense confrontation about creative direction. Zane and his co-writer David are trying to pitch a fresh script to producer Jon Clark Marty Ingels, and by the end of the meeting Jon signals his enthusiasm but insists on a complete rewrite, leaving Zane unsettled about the project’s future.

Meanwhile, a looming Internal Revenue Service audit of his investments adds another layer of pressure to his life. In the midst of professional stress, Zane begins dating Penelope Chelsea Noble, and at first the relationship seems to run smoothly. Then one afternoon on set, Reno slips Zane some pills, claiming they are harmless relaxants. Later that evening, during a date with Penelope, Zane takes the pills and starts acting strangely. He wakes up the next morning to realize the pills were hallucinogens and that much of the evening’s events may have existed only in his mind. He phones Penelope’s place and a man answers, which leads him to jump to conclusions and rush to Penelope’s home, where he becomes visibly upset.

Back at his accountant’s office, Zane learns that he owes roughly half a million dollars in back taxes. He is also told that Reno has been arrested for drug abuse and that the TV show is being cancelled. On the way home, Zane endures a near-fatal car accident. Accompanied by his faithful basset hound Wolfgang, he makes the long walk to Penelope’s door and, with his emotions laid bare, declares his love for her.