The Instrument

A writer keeps an incompetent agent because the agent had saved him from drowning years before. Just when he's getting ready to fire him, he finds himself in need of his agent's services again... and again....

A writer holds onto a useless agent because the agent once rescued him from drowning years ago. Right when he's about to let him go, he discovers he needs his agent's help once more... and then again....

Anthony Warlock, who specializes in writing supernatural or occult mystery stories, met his literary agent, Dick Harrison, when Dick saved him from drowning. Subsequently, actions taken by Dick prevent Tony from being killed by a crashing plane, a fiery cruise ship and a malfunctioning automobile. As a result, Tony starts to think that Dick has the ability to make him immortal. To test it, he decides to deliberately jump in front of an onrushing auto.