Fran's birthday party is the setting for Jamie's unexpected encounter with an ex-boyfriend, and the saga of who dumped whom dominates her evening. The cab ride home provides two interlocking perspectives of the evening's events.

Jamie is obliged to work on an advertising campaign with ex-boyfriend Alan, a graphics artist, who has recently published a comic book about an evil queen in outer space. But the queen's looks and exploits sound like anything but fiction to Jamie.

Unable to buy her an anniversary present, with or without everyone else's help, Paul hands Jamie a slip of paper entitling her to a magical night. Things take a decidedly unusual turn after that.