Mr. Albert, who happens to be dead although his body for some reason has not gotten the memo, enjoys nothing more than getting plastered in seedy bars on the Jersey shore. In a moment of weakness, he saves Santo Murphy from committing suicide who is about to hurl himself into the frigid Atlantic Ocean.

When he discovers Mr. Albert's secret, Santo believes his savior must have a higher purpose than intoxication. Santo's purpose becomes to find Mr. Albert's purpose and he will not leave Albert's side until he discovers it. Eventually, Mr. Albert agrees to the arrangement because he has an annoying habit of passing out in public places and waking up in the morgue. When this happens, he needs Santo to hide him from the authorities until he recovers.

Soon the FBI becomes aware of Mr. Albert's unusual condition. The boys decide it would be best to leave town. During their escape, Mr. Albert dreams of a beautiful girl playing guitar under a tree, and on the advice of a Jerry Garcia impersonator, heads to Savannah Ga.

They discover that the girl, Genevieve, was Mr. Albert's wife sixty years ago, but the marriage ended when she was committed to the world's largest insane asylum, dying there, and buried in an unmarked grave. Mr. Albert realizes his purpose is to find her remains and return them to the family plot.