1996
Traumatized by a student stabbing in Brooklyn, science teacher Trevor Garfield moves to Southern California, where he becomes a substitute at a high school plagued by violent gangs. Trevor's attempts to connect with students are met with escalating threats and violence from gang members, who vandalize his classroom and murder his pets, prompting him to secretly retaliate. After being fired and having his house vandalized, Trevor confronts the gang in a deadly game of Russian Roulette, resulting in his and the gang leader Cesar's deaths. Two weeks later, at the graduation ceremony, a disillusioned fellow teacher, Ellen, discards her teaching credential, leaving the cycle of violence unresolved.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Former schoolteacher Trevor Garfield rebuilds his life after being stabbed, only to face fresh danger as he takes a substitute position in a gang-ridden L.A.
Open full beat sheetTrevor Garfield is listed as Science Teacher. African-American, 33-40, wears wire-rim glasses, meticulous, former teacher at Roosevelt Whitney, survivor of a stabbing attack. In the parsed data, Trevor Garfield is connected to 78 scenes, 225 dialogue lines, 226 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
78 scenes / 225 dialogue linesEllen Henry is listed as Computer Science Teacher. 30, Anglo, non-tenured, enthusiastic, becomes romantically involved with Trevor. In the parsed data, Ellen Henry is connected to 32 scenes, 78 dialogue lines, 79 text mentions, first appearing around scene 24.
32 scenes / 78 dialogue linesCesar Sanchez is listed as Student. 17, gang member, K.O.S. member, violent, antagonist. In the parsed data, Cesar Sanchez is connected to 18 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 46 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
18 scenes / 44 dialogue linesBenny Chacon is listed as Student. 18, tagger, gang member, on house arrest, antagonist. In the parsed data, Benny Chacon is connected to 16 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
16 scenes / 18 dialogue linesStevie Littleton is listed as Student. 17, Anglo, speed freak, gang-affiliated. In the parsed data, Stevie Littleton is connected to 15 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
15 scenes / 20 dialogue linesRita Nartinez is listed as Student. 17, chola, troubled, seeks guidance from Trevor. In the parsed data, Rita Nartinez is connected to 14 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
14 scenes / 36 dialogue linesDave Childress is listed as History Teacher. 40s, ditto-head, alcoholic, cynical, keeps an arsenal of weapons. In the parsed data, Dave Childress is connected to 12 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 27.
12 scenes / 22 dialogue linesLarry Hyland is listed as Counselor. School counselor, weary of the system. In the parsed data, Larry Hyland is connected to 8 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 57.
8 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMr. Garcia is listed as Principal. Pragmatic, focused on avoiding lawsuits. In the parsed data, Mr. Garcia is connected to 6 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.
6 scenes / 17 dialogue linesWalter is listed as Counselor. Anglo, 52, disheveled, weary, cynical. In the parsed data, Walter is connected to 3 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 14 dialogue linesDennis Broadway is listed as Student. 16, gang member, 'Five Percenter', responsible for the stabbing of Trevor Garfield. In the parsed data, Dennis Broadway is connected to 2 scenes, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesTrevor Garfield rides his bike across the Brooklyn Bridge during rush hour.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor rides his bike along Atlantic Avenue parallel to an elevated train.
Trevor GarfieldThe Assistant Principal yells at students to hurry inside before the tardy lockout.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor enters the school building.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor rides his bike down the school hallway.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor rides his bike down the stairs.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor pedals toward his classroom.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor arrives at his classroom and interacts with students.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor attempts to teach a science lesson using his bicycle.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor walks through the empty corridor with a damaged textbook.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor confronts Walter about the '187' written in a student's textbook.
Trevor Garfield, WalterTrevor walks through the crowded hallway while Dennis Broadway follows him.
Trevor Garfield, Dennis BroadwayDennis Broadway stabs Trevor Garfield.
Trevor Garfield, Dennis BroadwaySeventeen months later, Trevor lives in Southern California.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor receives a call for a substitute teaching assignment.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor prepares for his day and prays.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor arrives at his new school.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor watches students from his car.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor enters the school and checks in.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor asks for directions to his classroom.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor sees Ellen Henry teaching.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor talks to Victor in the bathroom.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor walks toward his assigned bungalow.
Trevor Garfield, Benny ChaconChildress investigates the shed.
Dave ChildressChildress finds Rita in the shed.
Dave Childress, Rita NartinezTrevor begins his first class.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor attempts to teach a lesson using a cryptic text, but is interrupted by Dave Childress who reveals Trevor is in the wrong bungalow.
Trevor Garfield, Dave ChildressTrevor moves to his assigned bungalow and faces a chaotic classroom led by Benny Chacon.
Trevor Garfield, Benny Chacon, Rita NartinezTrevor eats lunch and is confronted by Childress, who realizes Trevor is the teacher who was stabbed at Roosevelt Whitney.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen Henry, Dave ChildressTrevor teaches a lesson, deals with classroom disruptions, and has a private conversation with Ellen about the dangers they face.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen Henry, Benny Chacon, Cesar Sanchez, Rita Nartinez, Stevie LittletonBenny and his crew confront a tagger and Benny shoots him.
Benny Chacon, Cesar SanchezBenny walks alone at night, oblivious to being followed, while Trevor's voice is heard calling roll.
Benny ChaconTrevor calls roll in class and notes Benny's absence.
Trevor Garfield, Benny ChaconA child finds Benny's discarded ankle monitor in a lot.
Benny ChaconTrevor and Ellen discuss his new teaching assignment and Benny's disappearance.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen Henry, Benny ChaconEstablishing shot of Trevor's house at night.
Trevor and Ellen share a meal, discuss loneliness, and dance.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryEllen discovers the knife scars on Trevor's back.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor drops Ellen off at her mother's house.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor is unable to sleep.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor exercises on a stationary bike.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor grades papers at dawn.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor performs a science demonstration using a rat and Demeral.
Trevor Garfield, Benny Chacon, Cesar Sanchez, Rita Nartinez, Stevie LittletonTrevor leaves the bungalow.
Trevor GarfieldTrevor and Ellen talk; Victor interrupts.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor is questioned by the principal regarding the missing watch.
Trevor Garfield, Benny Chacon, Stevie Littleton, Mr. Garcia, Larry HylandTrevor and Hyland discuss the situation.
Trevor Garfield, Larry HylandTrevor and Hyland enter the office.
Trevor Garfield, Larry HylandTrevor and Hyland discuss the discipline committee and Trevor's plan to videotape his classes. Trevor secretly obtains Cesar's locker combination.
Trevor Garfield, WalterTrevor and Ellen are in the car; Trevor spots Rita at a bus stop.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor tutors Rita; she reveals her struggles and gang ties.
Trevor Garfield, Rita NartinezTrevor confronts Cesar about the stolen watch using the video camera.
Trevor Garfield, Cesar Sanchez, Stevie LittletonRita visits Trevor for tutoring and attempts a sexual advance.
Trevor Garfield, Rita NartinezTrevor visits Cesar's home to speak with his mother.
Trevor Garfield, Cesar SanchezCesar confronts Trevor outside the projects.
Trevor Garfield, Cesar SanchezTrevor finds his classroom vandalized and his pet rat dead.
Trevor Garfield, Dave Childress, Stevie LittletonTrevor confronts Cesar about the vandalism.
Trevor Garfield, Cesar SanchezTrevor and Ellen return home to find Jack the dog dead.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor discovers his dog Jack has been strangled to death in the alley.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryAn animal control officer removes Jack's body while Trevor watches.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor and Ellen have a tense conversation about their lives and the recent tragedy.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor investigates the scene of Jack's death and finds K.O.S. graffiti.
Trevor GarfieldCesar tags a wall and is attacked by an unknown assailant with a drugged arrow.
Cesar SanchezEllen wakes up and searches for Trevor.
Ellen HenryEllen searches for Trevor in the living room.
Ellen HenryEllen discovers a hidden stash of items in Trevor's desk.
Ellen HenryEllen leaves Trevor's house.
Ellen HenryCesar wakes up to find his finger severed.
Cesar SanchezCesar tries to report the attack to detectives.
Cesar SanchezA nurse receives an envelope containing Cesar's severed finger.
Trevor teaches class; Cesar is present with a bandaged finger.
Trevor Garfield, Cesar Sanchez, Rita Nartinez, Stevie LittletonTrevor and Ellen discuss their relationship and Cesar's progress.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor tutors Rita on her essay.
Trevor Garfield, Dave Childress, Rita NartinezA body is discovered in the river.
Ellen confronts Stevie over an offensive email.
Ellen Henry, Stevie LittletonEllen learns that the body found in the river is likely Benny Chacon.
Ellen Henry, Mr. GarciaEllen and Mrs. Chacon inquire about the body.
Ellen HenryMrs. Chacon identifies the body as her son, Benny.
Ellen HenryEllen confronts Trevor about the rosary beads and Benny's death.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen HenryTrevor and Ellen discuss Cesar and the nature of choices, leading to a confrontation about the night of the incident.
Trevor Garfield, Ellen Henry... Let me try and explain something. I try and think of our students here at John Quincy Adams like they're my clients. I can't accuse anybody just on your hunches. I need more than that. I need facts. I won't have another law suit like we did with that Blackwell case. Boy's mother spent $400 that she couldn't afford on new clothes for her son. Unfortunately we considered the clothing gang attire and sent the boy home. That cost the district a quarter of a million dollars. So I want you to be straight with me, Mr. Garfield. Did you physically see Cesar take your watch?
... I had the same situation 'round the time of that 'Night Stalker' thing. Remember that? Whole city was scared shitless. My wife was convinced the frickin' mailman was the 'Stalker' for about a week there. Some mental giant in my 4th period starts this rumor, see. Childress is the 'Night Stalker.' Right? ... Idiots. Even after they caught that Ramirez jerk, I'd still hear those fucks '... They got the wrong guy. Childress is the Stalker, ese.'
You think you got respect now? Your kinda respect is bullshit. Only thing you honor is stupidity. You ready to die for stupidity, Cesar? I am, if it'll teach you somethin'. See you can't kill me, homeboy. Yeah, my body... but what I am, who I was? That's been dead for over a year. And I'm never gonna get it back -- no matter how many of you I get rid of. I realize that now... I was a teacher! I wanted to help you!...
Hey, have you seen Benny lately? Ford told me he hasn't phoned his P.O. in four days. You know what they say. Be careful what you pray for. Don't get me wrong, Benny's made my life a living hell. I even moved back in with my mother because of him. I love my mother, but if I eat one more dinner off a TV tray or watch one more rerun of 'Wheel of Fortune,' I think I'll lose my fucking mind.
... We're all responsible. You and me... all of us. I'm up here today cuz a him. He was dere for me when nobody else was. Thing is... I shoulda been 'dere for him too... but I wasn't. I turned my back on the only person who ever cared about me. He said if I could stand up here and read my essay it would be a Pyrrhic victory. I ast' 'im, 'What's up wit' dat?'
Young's rule says, divide the age of the patient by the patient's age plus twelve, giving us the fraction of the adult dosage suitable for the patient. In Snowball's case, I've calculated the dosage necessary to tranquilize a one-year-old child... then further divided that fraction by 30, based on his weight, to arrive at .002 milligrams.
For future reference, anyone who disrupts a class, or in any way infringes on the rights of others to get an education, is subject to disciplinary action. When I'm here, ladies and gentlemen, I expect to be treated decently... hopefully in an atmosphere of mutual respect. This classroom is our sanctuary, yours and mine. Respect it.
... Speaking of blowing, you ever wanna fuck a high school girl, Garfield? 'Caught yer girl, Rita, bustin' a train out in the 'utility' shed couple months back. Swear to God. She had at least five or six cholos lined up back there. Face it, brother, she's a slut. C'mon, I know you had 'er. I even did her.
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