1997
High school teacher Jim McAllister becomes obsessed with preventing ambitious Tracy Flick from winning the student council presidency, recruiting popular Paul Metzler to run against her while Paul's sister Tammy also enters the race. As Jim's personal life unravels due to an affair, he becomes increasingly unhinged by Tracy's campaigning. On election day, Jim secretly discards several of Tracy's ballots, leading to Paul being declared the victor, but the discarded ballots are discovered, and Jim is fired. Years later, Jim, now working at a car dealership, encounters Tracy, who is thriving in Washington, D.C.
Save the Cat beat sheet
High school teacher Jim McAllister meddles in the student council election by recruiting underdog Paul to challenge overachieving Tracy Flick.
Open full beat sheetJim McAllister is listed as High School History Teacher. Mid-thirties, dedicated teacher, morally conflicted, prone to petty behavior. In the parsed data, Jim McAllister is connected to 24 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
24 scenes / 10 dialogue linesTracy Flick is listed as High School Student. Ambitious, overachieving junior, driven, manipulative. In the parsed data, Tracy Flick is connected to 16 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
16 scenes / 7 dialogue linesPaul Metzler is listed as High School Student. Popular, athletic, somewhat naive, injured football player. In the parsed data, Paul Metzler is connected to 11 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
11 scenes / 5 dialogue linesWalt Hendricks is listed as Principal. School administrator. In the parsed data, Walt Hendricks is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 16.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSherry Novotny is listed as Dave's Wife. Friend of the McAllisters, later involved with Jim. In the parsed data, Sherry Novotny is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesLisa Flanagan is listed as High School Student. Tammy's former girlfriend, Paul's campaign manager. In the parsed data, Lisa Flanagan is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesTammy Metzler is listed as High School Student. Paul's younger sister, cynical, rebellious, struggling with identity. In the parsed data, Tammy Metzler is connected to 4 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
4 scenes / 2 dialogue linesBarbara Flick is listed as Tracy's Mother. Devoted, supportive mother. In the parsed data, Barbara Flick is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDave Novotny is listed as Teacher. Jim's best friend, had an affair with Tracy. In the parsed data, Dave Novotny is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 13.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDiane McAllister is listed as Jim's Wife. Jim's spouse, trying to conceive. In the parsed data, Diane McAllister is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 31.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJim McAllister arrives at school for his morning run, passing a janitor, while Tracy Flick's voiceover introduces the theme of destiny.
Jim McAllisterJim exercises on the track and observes Tracy Flick arriving at school with her mother.
Jim McAllister, Tracy Flick, Barbara FlickTracy sets up her campaign table and has an awkward interaction with Jim.
Jim McAllister, Tracy FlickJim reflects on his teaching career and is interrupted by Paul Metzler.
Jim McAllister, Paul MetzlerJim leads a class discussion on ethics and morals, with Tracy participating.
Jim McAllister, Tracy FlickJim recruits Paul Metzler to run for student council president to oppose Tracy.
Jim McAllister, Paul MetzlerTracy exercises intensely on a Nordic Trac while reflecting on her campaign and her disdain for the wealthy.
Tracy FlickPaul drives home, brainstorming campaign slogans.
Paul MetzlerTammy and Lisa have a tense interaction where Lisa ends their relationship.
Tammy Metzler, Lisa FlanaganPaul enters the kitchen to get a snack.
Paul MetzlerPaul interrupts Tammy and Lisa, causing Lisa to leave.
Paul Metzler, Tammy Metzler, Lisa FlanaganTammy chases Lisa to her car to confront her about the breakup.
Tammy Metzler, Lisa FlanaganJim and Sherry discuss the hairwad found in the drain and their affair.
Jim McAllister, Dave Novotny, Sherry NovotnyJim and Sherry continue their affair while the baby is in the crib.
Jim McAllister, Sherry NovotnyJim and Sherry plan a secret meeting at a motel.
Jim McAllister, Sherry NovotnyJim is called to the office to discuss the vandalized posters.
Jim McAllister, Tracy Flick, Paul Metzler, Walt Hendricks, Lisa FlanaganJim interrogates Tracy about the posters.
Jim McAllister, Tracy Flick, Tammy Metzler, Walt HendricksPaul struggles with the moral dilemma of voting for himself.
Paul Metzler, Tracy FlickStudent council members carry the ballot box through the school.
Jim, in a disheveled state, struggles to open the ballot box.
Jim McAllisterJim calls Sherry and professes his love, but she rejects him.
Jim McAllister, Sherry NovotnyJim walks past Paul during passing period.
Jim McAllister, Paul MetzlerLarry informs Jim that Tracy is winning by one vote.
Jim McAllisterTracy leaves class early.
Tracy FlickTracy sees Jim counting ballots and Larry gives her a thumbs up.
Tracy Flick, Jim McAllisterJim sees Tracy spying and decides to sabotage her votes.
Jim McAllister, Tracy FlickWalt confirms Paul won the election.
Walt Hendricks, Jim McAllisterPaul is announced as the winner of the election.
Paul Metzler, Tracy Flick, Jim McAllisterJim runs into Paul and his parents at a restaurant.
Jim McAllister, Paul MetzlerTracy is devastated by her loss.
Tracy Flick, Barbara FlickJim returns home to his wife.
Jim McAllister, Diane McAllisterLowell the janitor finds the discarded ballots.
Jim is confronted about the ballots.
Jim McAllister, Walt Hendricks, Tracy Flick, Barbara FlickPaul is told about the election mistake.
Paul Metzler, Walt HendricksJim is now working at a car dealership.
Jim McAllisterTracy visits Jim at the dealership.
Jim McAllister, Tracy FlickI just thought, well, I'm going away soon, and you'll be stuck here and, I don't know, I just think maybe if things had been different we might have been, well, friends. Real friends. And then things would be different. Don't you think?
Paul... Paul... power... Paul... Paul for President... progress... promise... peanut... Paul-i-tics... yeah... President Paul... Punt for Paul! No.
So would this be an ethical situation or a moral situation? What's the difference between ethics and morals, anyway?
I'm not a dyke, okay, and we're not in love. We were just... I was just experimenting.
I'm the one. I did it. I tore down Paul's posters.
That's interesting, because I think you did it.
Take me to that motel. Like you wanted.
Don't say that. You know it's not true.
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