In Hollywood, Sir Francis Abercrombie, a British expatriate actor, makes a house call on housemates Dennis Barlow, a British poet and former screenwriter, and Sir Francis Hinsley, a British publicist. Abercrombie discovers that Barlow has been let go from his contract with Megalopolitan Pictures, and warns him that his current career choice, working at Happier Hunting Ground, a pet funeral service parlor, is embarrassing the British Hollywood community. After Abercrombie leaves, Barlow receives an urgent phone call from a Mrs. Heinkel that her dog, Arthur, has been hit and killed by an automobile; she thus needs the services of Happier Hunting Ground. So, Barlow goes to the Heinkel's home and discusses the funeral arrangements for Arthur, and then heads to the funeral parlor with the corpse to place in storage.<br> Weeks later, Barlow is busy but enjoying his work. Hinsley, however, has been having difficulty in his job as a publicist. Megalopolitan has assigned him to rebrand the image of his client Juanita del Pablo from "Spanish to Irish" to make good on film trends. He is moved from his office to his home to work. Eventually, his secretary stops coming to his for work. Hinsley is perplexed and goes to Megalopolitan to find out what's happened. He discovers that a younger man has replaced him as publicist, and an executive speaks with confirms that his contract has been terminated. In despair, he hangs himself.