Time After Time

Richard Kerm resigns from his position after publishing an unconfirmed article about local political corruption, which leads to a politician's suicide. Regretful of his decision, he decides to quit the job entirely and leave his current environment. This event marks his decision to return to his hometown of Glenville for a fresh start.

Richard comes back to his small hometown, where everyone knows each other. He reconnects with old friends, including Burt 'Dell' Delfino who offers him a job as a newspaper reporter. This marks the beginning of his return to familiar surroundings and the local community.

Richard celebrates his 30th birthday with old friends at the restaurant, where he learns about Jackie and Jeff’s relationship. During the gathering, Richard shares his story about injuring himself banging out of his car, highlighting his desire to reconnect with his past.

Richard encounters his future self, Dick, who claims to be him at age 55. Dick appears to know intimate details about Richard’s life, including a birthmark, and predicts that Richard will marry Jackie, creating confusion and disbelief in Richard’s mind.

Richard meets Ricky, a high school intern who shares similar interests and ambitions in journalism. Richard assigns Ricky to investigate the new big box store, Sir Save-a-Lot, which sparks Richard’s growing doubts about the project’s impact on Glenville.

Richard writes a negative review of the hypermarket, contrasting with the local businessmen’s optimistic views. The article unexpectedly ends up on his editor’s desk, fueling tensions with the town and affecting his relationship with Jackie, who considers the economic benefits of the project.

After Jeff proposes to Jackie, she accepts, leaving Richard heartbroken. This personal loss deepens Richard’s emotional turmoil as he navigates his conflicted feelings about his hometown and his love life.

During the town meeting, Jackie leads a vote on the hypermarket project. Most residents support it, but Richard opposes, citing the negative effects seen in other towns. Jackie dismisses Richard’s concerns to protect the town’s economic future.

Dick, suffering a possible heart attack after heavy drinking, admits he never married Jackie and has led a lonely life. Richard finds an obituary implying Dick's tragic future, prompting Richard to offer him emotional support and encouragement.

Unable to publish his negative investigation in the local paper, Richard and Dick persuade Ricky to print it in the high school newspaper, The Oak. Their act signifies a stand against corporate influence and serves as a love letter to their hometown’s integrity.

Richard writes a heartfelt piece advocating for the town’s traditional values, emphasizing that some things are better left unchanged. This marks his final act of resistance and love for Glenville, encapsulating his desire to protect its core identity.

Years later, Dick, now aged and at his wedding anniversary, sees his past reflected in photographs with Jackie. Ricky has become a respected journalist, and the community celebrates the enduring love and traditions that Richard’s actions helped to preserve.