Episode 3 of "Not Dead Yet" kicks off with Nell and Sam strolling into work on a bustling morning. They excitedly plan to catch up for lunch later and head to their respective workspaces. Since relinquishing Mason's office, Nell now finds herself in the buzzing open-plan area.
Her ghostly encounter this week is none other than Piper, a familiar face from their high school days. Piper's attitude is as snooty as ever, looking down on Nell with disdain. It turns out that Piper, an influencer in her heyday, perished in a tragic selfie accident, tumbling off a cliff. Nell finds the irony of Piper's demise hilariously fitting.
Dennis starts to fret that Nell's job is hardening her heart. Nell assures him that Piper was nothing but a snobby, shallow, and vain individual. She assures him that she'll wrap up Piper's obituary soon, a cursory and superficial tribute to the bare bones of her life. Nell quickly pens the piece, and Piper vanishes into the ether.
At lunchtime, Sam notices a cloud hanging over Nell and inquiries about her mood. Nell opens up about Piper's demise, revealing how it dredges up memories of her traumatic high school days. Dennis and Sam can't relate, reminiscing fondly about their own halcyon high school experiences. Nell declares that she's glad those days are behind her, only for Dennis to point out that the office isn't much different from high school.
Sam concurs, noting the similarities: the constant seeking of approval, the formation of cliques. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Lexi, who summons Nell to her office. She asks if Nell is prepared to write her first front-page obituary. Nell's excitement is short-lived when she learns that the assignment is about Piper.
Nell informs Lexi that she's already tackled the task, but Lexi dismisses her effort as "stinky garbage." Lexi insists that Nell rewrite the obituary, emphasizing that Piper boasted a whopping 4 million followers on Instagram. Lexi hopes that a heartfelt and thoughtful tribute to Piper will lure her loyal followers to the newspaper, a shrewd move in the world of media and influence.
On the flip side, Dennis is in a state of panic as someone has hung a basketball hoop in the office, triggering a deep-seated trauma from his basketball tryouts. Sam steps in to assist him, determined to help Dennis overcome his fear of the game. Gradually, Dennis manages to conquer his phobia and face his fears head-on.
After the conclusion of the meeting, Piper approaches Nell with a request to attend her memorial and chronicle the event. Suddenly, Mason interrupts, informing Nell that Cricket has arrived to visit her. Cricket explains that she's come to return Nell's jacket, which she had accidentally left at the bar. Nell vents her frustration about being tasked with writing an obituary for her former high school bully. Cricket offers solace, explaining that bullies are often jealous and insecure.
The persistent Ghost Piper insists on an obituary that won't disappoint, reminding Nell that she must pull it off before repeating the same mistake she made during her freshman year speech. Nell, oblivious to this past embarrassment, tries to reassure herself of her journalistic prowess. Piper, however, isn't convinced and predicts Nell's failure.
Angered, Nell storms out and accidentally spills coffee on a colleague, eliciting laughter from Piper and the rest of the team. She returns home, seeking Edward's opinion on her obituary for Piper. Edward critically evaluates it, describing it as cold and emotionless, devoid of any human touch.
The following morning, Nell confides in Sam and Dennis about her struggle to write something positive about Piper. Lexi summons Nell to her office to inquire about the progress of the assignment. Deciding to add a twist, Lexi declares a contest between Nell and Mason, tasking them both with writing the obituary. Nell laments to Cricket about the unexpected competition, her temper flaring when Ghost Piper taunts her as a loser.
Later, at Piper's memorial service, Nell is surprised to see Cricket, who offers her emotional support. Cricket points out the sadness of the memorial, highlighting the fact that Piper had followers but no real friends. This revelation prompts Nell to deliver a speech, admitting that she's seeing a different side of Piper. In the end, Nell emerges victorious in the contest, but Mason isn't pleased with the outcome.
