2008
Stressed factory owner Joel, facing an employee injury and a distant wife, hires a gigolo to sleep with Suzie, while a manipulative temp, Cindy, convinces the injured employee, Step, to sue the company. Joel's plan backfires when he confronts the gigolo, leading to a fight and separation from Suzie, prompting him to warn Step about Cindy's true intentions. Step reconsiders the lawsuit after learning of Cindy's past, leading to a mutually beneficial settlement between him and Joel. Ultimately, Joel reconciles with Suzie after their neighbor's death and reclaims control of his company and his life.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The screenplay follows factory manager Joel Reynolds as he struggles with workplace accidents, an assault lawsuit, and marital strife.
Open full beat sheetJoel Reynolds is listed as Head of Reynold's Extract. Mid-thirties, stressed, sexually frustrated, owner of the factory. In the parsed data, Joel Reynolds is connected to 65 scenes, 351 dialogue lines, 351 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
65 scenes / 351 dialogue linesCindy is listed as Temp / Con artist. Beautiful, sexy, manipulative, steals items. In the parsed data, Cindy is connected to 16 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 61 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
16 scenes / 42 dialogue linesDean is listed as Bar owner. Joel's friend, late forties, gives questionable advice. In the parsed data, Dean is connected to 14 scenes, 101 dialogue lines, 109 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 101 dialogue linesBrian is listed as Second in command. Older than Joel, wears aviator glasses, cynical. In the parsed data, Brian is connected to 14 scenes, 47 dialogue lines, 53 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
14 scenes / 47 dialogue linesSuzie is listed as Joel's wife. Decent looking, tired, has an affair with Brad. In the parsed data, Suzie is connected to 13 scenes, 72 dialogue lines, 86 text mentions, first appearing around scene 8.
13 scenes / 72 dialogue linesStep is listed as Employee / Floor Manager. Short, beady-eyed, macho, injured in a factory accident. In the parsed data, Step is connected to 12 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 75 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
12 scenes / 42 dialogue linesMary is listed as Employee. 58 years old, bitter, bossy, pear-shaped. In the parsed data, Mary is connected to 10 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
10 scenes / 23 dialogue linesBrad is listed as Gigolo / Pool cleaner. Young, blonde, airhead, hired by Joel. In the parsed data, Brad is connected to 9 scenes, 60 dialogue lines, 81 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
9 scenes / 60 dialogue linesHector is listed as Employee. Mexican immigrant, assembly line worker. In the parsed data, Hector is connected to 8 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
8 scenes / 7 dialogue linesNathan is listed as Neighbor. Middle-aged, overweight, extremely annoying. In the parsed data, Nathan is connected to 7 scenes, 42 dialogue lines, 52 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
7 scenes / 42 dialogue linesRory is listed as Employee. Stocky indie-rock geek, covered in tattoos, plays in a band. In the parsed data, Rory is connected to 7 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
7 scenes / 13 dialogue linesGabriella is listed as Employee. Hispanic woman in her forties, works with Mary. In the parsed data, Gabriella is connected to 7 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
7 scenes / 8 dialogue linesJoe Adler is listed as Personal injury lawyer. Aggressive, steroid-using, ambulance chaser. In the parsed data, Joe Adler is connected to 3 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.
3 scenes / 11 dialogue linesWillie is listed as Dean's friend. Burly, ex-football player, drug user. In the parsed data, Willie is connected to 2 scenes, 22 dialogue lines, 26 text mentions, first appearing around scene 46.
2 scenes / 22 dialogue linesEstablishing shot of the factory exterior.
Joel talks to Dean on the phone while the assembly line operates.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, Hector, Step, Rory, MaryJoel notices the production floor chaos and rushes down.
Joel Reynolds, DeanJoel intervenes in a bickering match between employees.
Joel Reynolds, Hector, Step, Rory, Mary, GabriellaBrian and Joel discuss the employees.
Joel Reynolds, BrianJoel is intercepted by his neighbor Nathan.
Joel Reynolds, NathanNathan continues to pester Joel in his garage.
Joel Reynolds, NathanJoel tries to initiate intimacy with Suzie, but she is distracted by TV.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel is unable to masturbate due to TV noise.
Joel ReynoldsJoel talks to Dean about his life.
Joel Reynolds, DeanCindy steals a guitar.
CindyBrian tells Joel about a buyout offer.
Joel Reynolds, BrianA major accident occurs.
Hector, Step, Rory, Mary, GabriellaStep is taken away by helicopter.
Joel Reynolds, Step, MaryJoel and Dean discuss the accident.
Joel Reynolds, DeanCindy pawns the stolen guitar.
CindyCindy discovers the news about Step's accident.
CindyBrian and Joel discuss the liability of Step's accident.
Joel Reynolds, BrianBrian discusses the potential liability of Step's accident and mentions an employee asking for a raise.
Joel Reynolds, BrianDean visits Joel and they observe a new temp, Cindy, on the factory floor.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, CindyMary accuses Hector of stealing her purse.
Joel Reynolds, Hector, Mary, Brian, CindyCindy goes through the stolen purse and finds Step's address.
CindyCindy follows Step.
Step, CindyCindy manipulates Step into talking to her.
Step, CindyJoel finds Suzie asleep and leaves.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel and Dean discuss Joel's marriage and the idea of hiring a gigolo.
Joel Reynolds, DeanCindy manipulates Step into suing the factory.
Step, CindyJoel and Dean finalize the plan to hire Brad.
Joel Reynolds, DeanJoel meets Brad the gigolo.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, BradJoel and Dean say goodbye to Brad.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, BradJoel realizes his mistake and tries to call off the plan.
Joel Reynolds, CindyJoel tries to call off the plan but finds out it's too late.
Joel Reynolds, Brian, BradFlashback of Brad seducing Suzie.
Suzie, BradJoel drives home and encounters his neighbor.
Joel Reynolds, NathanJoel encounters his neighbor Nathan while driving home.
Joel Reynolds, NathanJoel and Suzie have a tense dinner.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel watches Cindy from his office; Rory talks to Cindy.
Joel Reynolds, Rory, CindyMary and Gabriella gossip about Cindy and Hector.
Mary, Gabriella, HectorBrian informs Joel about Step's legal threats.
Joel Reynolds, BrianCindy manipulates her parole officer.
CindyJoel and Cindy talk after work.
Joel Reynolds, CindyNathan stops Joel again to talk about the pool cleaner.
Joel Reynolds, NathanJoel confronts Brad over the phone.
Joel Reynolds, BradJoel leaves for a party.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel talks to Dean about his marriage and Brad.
Joel Reynolds, DeanJoel smokes from a gravity bong with Willie and Dean.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, WillieJoel gets paranoid; Cindy arrives.
Joel Reynolds, Dean, Cindy, WillieJoel returns home beaten.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel returns to work; Brian discusses the legal situation.
Joel Reynolds, BrianJoel confronts Brad on the road.
Joel Reynolds, BradJoel confronts Brad about his affair with Suzie and threatens to tell her he was paid.
Joel Reynolds, BradJoel returns home and confronts Suzie about the pool cleaner.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieJoel reflects on the situation.
Joel ReynoldsJoel visits Step at his home.
Joel Reynolds, StepJoel meets Step's brother Phil.
Joel Reynolds, StepJoel warns Step about Cindy.
Joel Reynolds, StepSuzie breaks things off with Brad.
Suzie, BradBrian reminds Joel about the meeting with Step's lawyers.
Joel Reynolds, BrianJoe Adler holds court before the meeting.
Joe AdlerEmployees discuss striking.
Rory, Mary, GabriellaThe settlement meeting begins.
Joel Reynolds, Brian, Joe AdlerEmployees watch the meeting and decide to act.
Hector, Rory, MaryThe meeting escalates.
Joel Reynolds, Brian, Joe AdlerJoel decides to leave.
Joel ReynoldsJoel confronts the employees.
Joel ReynoldsJoel and Suzie have a final confrontation.
Joel Reynolds, SuzieNathan interrupts Joel and Suzie.
Joel Reynolds, Nathan, SuzieJoel checks into a hotel.
Joel ReynoldsBrad visits Joel at the bar.
Joel Reynolds, BradBrian updates Joel on the company's status.
Joel Reynolds, BrianSuzie confronts Nathan.
Nathan, SuzieJoel sees something surprising.
Joel ReynoldsJoel arrives at the hotel and spots Cindy entering a room.
Joel Reynolds, CindyJoel confronts Cindy about stolen items and they eventually reconcile.
Joel Reynolds, CindyExterior shot of the hotel.
Joel wakes up alone and finds the stolen items.
Joel ReynoldsJoel returns to work and returns Mary's purse.
Joel Reynolds, Mary, GabriellaBrian informs Joel that Step wants to talk.
Joel Reynolds, BrianJoel and Step negotiate the lawsuit and the future of the company.
Joel Reynolds, StepJoel announces his decision to the employees.
Joel Reynolds, Step, Mary, Gabriella, Brian.You see, if both his balls had been knocked clean off, he would be a good case, but not a great case: A man with no balls is no man at all. He's a freak. He's barely human. He's gross. And a jury will never feel like they can walk in the shoes of a ball-less, neutered, he/she freak. But Step. He's still got one ball - barely. He's still a man. A man who's very manhood has been jeopardized, but still a man. And that manhood, that very sense of what you are as a human being is hanging by a thread. Jesus, you can't get more dramatic than that. That brave ball, hanging on for dear life, hanging on for justice, is going to be the hero of this trial. I'm tellin' ya this Step guy is the fuckin' Holy Grail, the Powerball Jackpot. And you all laughed at me when I bought those bus bench ads. But I knew the asses of those poor slobs that sit on those benches and ride those sweaty, stinking, cattle cars are our future. And I --
Uh-huh... Look Brad, the truth is I love my husband. I really do. This was all a big mistake. I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me, but we have to stop this. I want to make my marriage work again. I'm going to tell Joel about the whole thing and just hope he forgives me. And even if he doesn't, at least I won't be carrying around this horrible feeling. I just can't stand that he doesn't know.
No, you're right. He may be a stupid, dull-witted moron, but he can get any girl he wants. Me, I had to work for it. I had to work hard, get a career going, take Suzie out a bunch of times, marry her. But not Brad. He gets to waltz into my house and have sex with my wife just like that. Oh, and by the way? That little prick was at my house again today.
Well yeah. Don't you? I mean, think about it. Imagine if you asked a bunch of jurors how much you'd have to pay 'em to cut their balls off? I mean, I wouldn't let someone cut my balls off for a billion dollars. Seriously -- unless there were some kind of really expensive operation that could give you artificial balls or something. Would you?
Yeah. Well I won't keep you. I just wanted to let you know, I got those tickets to that dinner we talked about on the 7th. I think I told you they were forty dollars a piece, but it turns out it's a tad more this year -- fifty-five -- so if I could go ahead and just get a check from you guys...
I tell you what. Why don't we do this -- I'll go ahead and get tickets, since they're gonna sell out fast. You talk to Suzie. See what she says. Like I say, she won't be uncomfortable at all. Maybe I'll have Leslie give her a call -- you know how it is when the wives talk, heh heh--
The last time I was over there, she broke it off; told me to quit coming over... She said she was gonna tell you everything -- you know, about us. She's really into you dude. I guess that's why she married you an' shit... You're a lucky guy... Sorry if I messed shit up.
It was horrible Joel. He came over to ask for that check, and I just... I just lost it. I started yelling at him. I said horrible things. He had an aneurism and I probably caused it. I think the last thing I said to him was "shut up." Those were the last words he heard.
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