Screenplay data
Rick Stevens, a recently incarcerated father of three young boys, struggles to rebuild his life and gain full custody of his children after his release. He takes on a new job and hires Melanie Simmers, a single mother, as a babysitter, and they soon develop a romantic relationship. However, Rick's ex-wife, Cynthia, attempts to re-enter their lives, causing tension with Melanie, who eventually leaves Rick. Rick's life spirals downward as he loses his job, and his belongings are repossessed, but he finds renewed purpose in caring for his sons. After a court hearing, Rick and Melanie reconcile, and he finally secures full custody of his children, finding peace and happiness with his family at a baseball game.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Single dad Rick struggles to prove he can raise his three boys after prison.
Open full beat sheetRick Stevens is listed as Protagonist. Thirty-six, Middle America personified, father of three. In the parsed data, Rick Stevens is connected to 49 scenes, 57 dialogue lines, 57 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
49 scenes / 57 dialogue linesPhillip Stevens is listed as Supporting. Six-year-old son of Rick. In the parsed data, Phillip Stevens is connected to 24 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
24 scenes / 9 dialogue linesKris Stevens is listed as Supporting. Eight-year-old son of Rick. In the parsed data, Kris Stevens is connected to 23 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
23 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMelanie Simmers is listed as Love Interest. Twenty-four, single mother, resilient. In the parsed data, Melanie Simmers is connected to 20 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
20 scenes / 21 dialogue linesNicholas Stevens is listed as Supporting. Four-year-old son of Rick. In the parsed data, Nicholas Stevens is connected to 18 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
18 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCynthia Stevens is listed as Antagonist. Rick's ex-wife. In the parsed data, Cynthia Stevens is connected to 8 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
8 scenes / 19 dialogue linesZach Simmers is listed as Supporting. Six-year-old son of Melanie. In the parsed data, Zach Simmers is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesFrank Ryan is listed as Supporting. Uncouth employer. In the parsed data, Frank Ryan is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJohn Silverstein is listed as Friend/Associate. Thirty-three, business-clad, focused on career and status. In the parsed data, John Silverstein is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 20.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDetective Johnson is listed as Supporting. Gruff detective. In the parsed data, Detective Johnson is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 32.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesMrs. Nelson is listed as Supporting. Older woman, mentor figure to Melanie. In the parsed data, Mrs. Nelson is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 4.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRick and John watch a baseball game and discuss talent and life choices.
Rick Stevens, John SilversteinMelanie prepares to leave for work while rushing her son Zach.
Melanie SimmersMelanie tries to get Zach to hurry up for school/daycare.
Melanie Simmers, Zach SimmersMrs. Nelson gives Melanie a book on parenting.
Mrs. Nelson, Melanie SimmersRick's children visit him in his jail cell.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensMelanie cries while Zach tries to comfort her.
Melanie Simmers, Zach SimmersThe jailer tells Rick he has visitors.
Rick StevensRick meets with his parents.
Rick StevensCindy and Scott are at a fair.
Cynthia StevensMelanie looks for a job.
Melanie Simmers, Zach SimmersRick interviews for a job with Frank Ryan.
Rick Stevens, Frank RyanRick tours the day-care with his children.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensPhillip gets stitches.
Rick Stevens, Phillip StevensRick tries to handle a medical bill at the hospital while his children play nearby.
Rick StevensRick discusses his struggles as a single father with his mother.
Rick StevensRick attempts to potty train Nicholas and meets Melanie, a potential babysitter.
Rick Stevens, Melanie Simmers, Zach Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensMelanie reads to the boys and accepts the babysitting job.
Rick Stevens, Melanie Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick goes on a disastrous date with a woman.
Rick StevensRick returns home and talks to Melanie about his dating struggles.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersRick discusses fatherhood and direction with John and Carrie.
Rick Stevens, John SilversteinRick and Melanie share a moment and kiss.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersRick quits his job.
Rick Stevens, Frank RyanRick arrives home with a note, deals with his sons' bathroom squabble, and hides the note from Melanie.
Rick Stevens, Melanie Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip StevensPhillip and Kris argue in the bathroom.
Kris Stevens, Phillip StevensRick meets Cindy at a cafe.
Rick Stevens, Cynthia StevensRick visits Cindy in jail to discuss the boys.
Rick Stevens, Cynthia StevensFlashback showing Cindy's past behavior.
Cynthia StevensCindy asks Rick to settle things without attorneys.
Rick Stevens, Cynthia StevensRick brings the boys to see Cindy.
Rick Stevens, Melanie Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick hands the boys over to Cindy for three hours.
Rick Stevens, Cynthia StevensMelanie confronts Rick about Cindy.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersRick imagines himself as a beggar.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensMelanie leaves Rick.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersCindy returns the boys and admits she isn't cut out to be a mother.
Rick Stevens, Cynthia Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensCindy is sent to solitary confinement.
Cynthia StevensRick and the boys have breakfast.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick is depressed and unkempt.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip StevensRick finds Phillip in the closet.
Rick Stevens, Phillip StevensRick's life falls apart as his belongings are repossessed.
Rick StevensThe boys celebrate at the top of a hill; Kris points out something to Rick.
Rick Stevens, Kris StevensRick reviews various documents.
Rick StevensRick realizes they have only reached a plateau, not the top.
Rick Stevens, Phillip StevensRick and the boys prepare to paint.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick and the boys continue their climb.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick and the boys walk toward the church.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensA paint war breaks out.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensA choir sings.
Melanie breaks up with her boyfriend.
Melanie SimmersRick and the boys meet a resting climber.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick faces a court hearing.
Rick Stevens, Detective Johnson, Frank RyanA montage of Rick and his sons over time.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick tries to reconcile with Melanie.
Rick Stevens, Melanie Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensMelanie's internal monologue.
Melanie SimmersRick falls but continues the climb.
Rick Stevens, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick and John discuss love.
Rick Stevens, John SilversteinRick asks his parents to watch the boys.
Rick StevensRick confronts Melanie at work.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersRick and Melanie reunite on the climb.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersRick leaves the jail.
Rick StevensThe boys play with their grandmother.
Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensRick and Melanie revisit the stage.
Rick Stevens, Melanie SimmersThe group watches a ball game.
Rick Stevens, John Silverstein, Melanie Simmers, Kris Stevens, Phillip Stevens, Nicholas StevensYou think this is easy? You think raising these boys is something I want to do alone? Every day is like a prison sentence. Every thing I do, every decision I make is directly affected by the boundaries of my responsibility. I have three children, but I have no me. Everywhere I go people stare at me...
What about Zach? How noble of you to be the only single parent in the world. How stoic you are... so concerned with the best interests of your children. Too bad. Their best interest is walking out the door.
You poor, poor man. You poor, poor children. How unfortunate to only have your father. How terrible it must be not to know your mother.
I did not. I left them in the care of their loving father. There's a difference.
I'd rather pay you than pay the government to pay you. You can start Monday.
I'm not even responsible for myself. How am I suppose to raise three kids?
Let's keep the attorneys out of this and settle things like civil adults.
I know if I have to, I can do this alone, but do I have to do this alone?
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.