Screenplay data
Aaron's father's funeral begins with a mix-up when the undertakers deliver the wrong body, while Aaron's wife, Michelle, expresses her desire to move out of his mother's house and start a family. As guests arrive, including Aaron's successful brother Ryan, their cousin Elaine and her anxious boyfriend Oscar, and the hypochondriac Norman, a mysterious man named Frank appears, claiming to have known Aaron's father. Frank blackmails Aaron with compromising photos of his father, revealing a secret affair, and Oscar, accidentally given hallucinogens instead of Valium by Elaine's brother Jeff, begins to act erratically, causing chaos during the service. Aaron and Ryan confront Frank, who accidentally dies after falling and hitting his head, leading the brothers, along with Norman and Jeff, to hide Frank's body in their father's coffin.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Aaron’s family scramble through mishaps at a funeral: a wrong body, blackmail, drugged guests and a suicide threat.
Open full beat sheetAaron is listed as Protagonist, oldest son. Thirties, dressed in a black suit, somber, stressed, aspiring writer. In the parsed data, Aaron is connected to 34 scenes, 56 dialogue lines, 62 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
34 scenes / 56 dialogue linesElaine is listed as Family member. Very attractive, 27, dating Oscar. In the parsed data, Elaine is connected to 27 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 36 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
27 scenes / 29 dialogue linesOscar is listed as Elaine's boyfriend. White, 35, anxious, accidentally drugged. In the parsed data, Oscar is connected to 27 scenes, 16 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
27 scenes / 16 dialogue linesJeff is listed as Family member. Elaine's brother, careless with drugs. In the parsed data, Jeff is connected to 25 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
25 scenes / 13 dialogue linesRyan is listed as Aaron's younger brother. Taller, more confident, successful writer, lives away from home. In the parsed data, Ryan is connected to 19 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
19 scenes / 19 dialogue linesNorman is listed as Friend of the family. Slightly heavier, riddled with anxiety, hypochondriac. In the parsed data, Norman is connected to 19 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
19 scenes / 7 dialogue linesMichelle is listed as Aaron's wife. Thirties, attractive, wants to move out of the family home and start a family. In the parsed data, Michelle is connected to 15 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
15 scenes / 17 dialogue linesDerek is listed as Doctor, friend of Norman. Attractive, white, clean-cut, former boyfriend of Elaine. In the parsed data, Derek is connected to 14 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 18.
14 scenes / 8 dialogue linesDuncan is listed as Cynthia's brother, doctor. Middle-aged, protective of his sister. In the parsed data, Duncan is connected to 9 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
9 scenes / 15 dialogue linesUncle Russell is listed as Elderly relative. Elderly, wheelchair-bound, bad-tempered. In the parsed data, Uncle Russell is connected to 9 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
9 scenes / 8 dialogue linesFrank is listed as Antagonist. Four foot six, leather jacket, blackmailer, Edward's secret lover. In the parsed data, Frank is connected to 9 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
9 scenes / 6 dialogue linesReverend Davis is listed as Officiant. Calm, serene woman, in a hurry. In the parsed data, Reverend Davis is connected to 8 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
8 scenes / 18 dialogue linesCynthia is listed as Aaron and Ryan's mother. Drained, tired, grieving her husband. In the parsed data, Cynthia is connected to 8 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
8 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBrian is listed as Undertaker. Professional but prone to mistakes. In the parsed data, Brian is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAaron discovers the undertakers have brought the wrong body in the coffin.
Aaron, BrianAaron tells Michelle about the body mix-up and they discuss their future.
Aaron, MichelleMichelle and Aaron have an intimate moment interrupted by the housekeeper.
Aaron, MichelleNorman and Derek drive to the funeral while discussing their personal issues.
Norman, DerekElaine and Oscar drive to the funeral; Oscar is nervous.
Elaine, OscarElaine and Oscar pick up Jeff, who gives Oscar a Valium.
Elaine, Oscar, JeffRyan and Aaron greet mourners and argue about the funeral eulogy and expenses while Reverend Davis arrives.
Aaron, Ryan, Reverend DavisCynthia discusses her late husband with Duncan while Michelle prepares coffee.
Michelle, Cynthia, DuncanAaron practices his eulogy and is interrupted by Michelle, then spots the mysterious man in the leather jacket.
Aaron, MichelleNorman struggles to unload Uncle Russell from the car.
Norman, Uncle RussellAaron is cornered by Frank, who claims to have known his father.
Aaron, Ryan, FrankNorman struggles to push Uncle Russell up a hill.
Norman, Uncle RussellReverend Davis tells Aaron they must start the service soon.
Aaron, Reverend DavisJeff warns Elaine about the pills Oscar accidentally took.
Elaine, Oscar, JeffDuncan questions Aaron and Ryan about the eulogy.
Aaron, Ryan, DuncanAaron and Michelle share an intimate moment interrupted by a guest.
Aaron, MichelleElaine confronts Jeff about the pills while Derek watches.
Derek, Elaine, Oscar, JeffOscar behaves erratically while the family gathers.
Cynthia, Derek, Elaine, Oscar, Jeff, DuncanDerek confronts Elaine about her engagement.
Derek, Elaine, Oscar, JeffAaron is approached by Frank again.
Aaron, FrankDerek helps Aaron bring Uncle Russell inside.
Aaron, Norman, Derek, Uncle RussellThe funeral service begins, and chaos ensues due to Norman and Oscar.
Aaron, Michelle, Ryan, Cynthia, Norman, DerekElaine and Oscar retreat to the garden.
Elaine, Oscar, JeffCynthia is comforted by Michelle.
Aaron, Michelle, Cynthia, Reverend DavisRyan apologizes to the mourners.
Ryan, Uncle RussellAaron confronts Elaine.
Aaron, Elaine, Oscar, JeffAaron confronts Elaine about the coffin incident while Michelle arrives and tries to talk to Aaron.
Aaron, Michelle, Elaine, Oscar, JeffDuncan confronts Elaine about Oscar and the coffin incident.
Derek, Elaine, Oscar, Jeff, DuncanAaron interacts with Norman and Uncle Russell.
Aaron, Norman, Uncle Russell, RyanElaine reveals to Oscar that he took hallucinogens instead of Valium.
Elaine, Oscar, JeffNorman pesters Duncan about a skin condition.
Norman, Duncan, CynthiaOscar panics after learning the truth about the drugs.
Elaine, Oscar, Jeff, DerekOscar rushes inside, followed by Elaine and Jeff.
Derek, Elaine, Oscar, JeffOscar locks himself in the bathroom while hallucinating.
Elaine, Oscar, JeffFrank blackmails Aaron with photos of his father.
Aaron, FrankAaron tells Ryan about the blackmail.
Aaron, RyanOscar is on the toilet, talking to himself while Elaine tries to get in.
Oscar, ElaineJeff searches for the pill bottle.
JeffUncle Russell causes a scene at the buffet.
Uncle Russell, Reverend DavisReverend Davis stops Aaron and Ryan; Michelle confronts Aaron.
Reverend Davis, Aaron, Ryan, MichelleAaron and Ryan confront Frank about the blackmail.
Frank, Ryan, AaronElaine and Michelle talk about their husbands.
Elaine, MichelleOscar climbs out of the bathroom window naked.
OscarNorman and Jeff enter the study and help restrain Frank.
Norman, Aaron, Ryan, Frank, JeffAaron and Ryan argue; Michelle learns the truth.
Aaron, Ryan, MichelleNorman helps Uncle Russell use the toilet.
Norman, Uncle Russell, JeffFrank dies after falling.
Frank, Norman, JeffMichelle, Aaron, and Ryan discuss the funeral costs and Aaron's novel while standing by the coffin.
Michelle, Aaron, RyanNorman exits the study looking anxious.
NormanNorman enters the living room with a forced grin, unnerving the mourners.
Norman, Aaron, Ryan, Michelle, CynthiaThe group discovers the body in the study and debates hiding it in the coffin.
Jeff, Aaron, Ryan, NormanDerek and Elaine argue about their relationship.
Derek, ElaineOscar hears Elaine and Derek from the roof.
Oscar, ElaineDerek kisses Elaine, seen by Oscar.
Derek, Elaine, OscarElaine punches Derek after he is seen by Oscar.
Elaine, Derek, OscarOscar threatens to jump from the roof.
Oscar, ElaineMourners gather to watch Oscar on the roof.
Oscar, ElaineThe group tries to hide the body while Derek knocks on the door.
Norman, Derek, Aaron, Ryan, Jeff, Uncle RussellAaron talks to Derek at the door.
Aaron, Derek, NormanJeff rushes to the garden.
Jeff, AaronJeff joins the mourners watching Oscar.
Jeff, Elaine, Oscar, AaronElaine climbs onto the roof to reach Oscar.
Elaine, OscarMourners gasp as Oscar stumbles.
Oscar, DuncanAaron and Ryan prepare to move the body.
Norman, Aaron, RyanNorman intercepts Reverend Davis.
Norman, Reverend DavisRyan and Aaron carry the body to the coffin.
Ryan, AaronElaine tells Oscar she is pregnant.
Elaine, OscarElaine helps Oscar get dressed.
Elaine, Oscar, DuncanThe funeral service begins and the coffin bangs.
Aaron, Reverend Davis, Ryan, Norman, Jeff, FrankAaron delivers a heartfelt eulogy for his father, moving the mourners, before leaving with Michelle.
Aaron, Michelle, Cynthia, Frank, Jeff, NormanEstablishing shot of the house after the funeral.
Aaron and Ryan discuss their mother's future living arrangements.
Aaron, Ryan.He said he was a nice man, and surprisingly well dressed. When Dad was eighteen, he left home after an argument with his father. He never told me what that argument was about, but I do know that after leaving South Carolina, sadly he and Bob lost touch and never saw each other again. Dad went to college where he studied accounting, a decision which lead to a career in corporate finance... But his real passion was for the arts, with a particular fondness for theatre, dance and musicals. He was a charter member of the Negro Ensemble Company and contributed regularly to the Alvin Ailey School of Dance.
I'd like to start with a favorite passage of Edwards from First Samuel chapter 18, verses 1-4 in the King James Bible. "And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house..."
Please let me extend my apologies to you all. I understand the incident you just witnessed was quite shocking, but everything will be... returned... to it's proper place. Please enjoy the refreshments, and we'll call you when we're ready to continue.
I'm trying to hold it together, Duncan. He was a really good husband. My friends always told me about the crap their husbands put them through. I never had to deal with any of that. Remember when Uncle Matt got that nanny pregnant?
No, don't do that. It'll just freak him out... We'll just keep a close eye on him, and make sure he doesn't get out of control... And don't let him spend too long talking to one person... or bush.
Calm down. Calm down. Forget about everyone. You're going to do the eulogy and it's going to be the best eulogy anyone's every heard. Now could you please do me a favor and get me pregnant?
He taught us to go for what we wanted in life, because you never know how long you're going to be here... And whether you succeed... or you fail... the important thing is that you tried.
Hey, hey. I don't really have time to deal with whatever happened between you and me. But I have not told my dad yet, so I would appreciate it if you would keep your mouth shut.
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.