1995
Jazz musician Fred Madison is convicted of his wife's murder after mysterious videotapes appear at their home, but he inexplicably transforms into young mechanic Pete Dayton while on death row and is released. Pete becomes entangled with Alice Wyatt, the mistress of gangster Mr. Eddy, who resembles Fred's deceased wife, leading them to commit a robbery that results in a death and their escape. Alice vanishes at a desert cabin after a cryptic remark, and Pete reverts to Fred, who then confronts and kills Mr. Eddy, revealed to be Dick Laurent, with the help of the Mystery Man. Fred, now a fugitive, drives away pursued by police, repeatedly uttering, “Dick Laurent is dead.”.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Fred Madison’s mundane life is upended by a mysterious videotape and an intercom announcement of Dick Laurent’s death.
Open full beat sheetPete Dayton is listed as Mechanic. 24 years old, auto mechanic, becomes entangled in the mystery. In the parsed data, Pete Dayton is connected to 45 scenes, 73 dialogue lines, 75 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
45 scenes / 73 dialogue linesFred Madison is listed as Protagonist. 32 years old, dark hair, jazz musician, saxophone player. In the parsed data, Fred Madison is connected to 26 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
26 scenes / 14 dialogue linesEd is listed as Detective. Police officer investigating the Madison case. In the parsed data, Ed is connected to 22 scenes, 53 dialogue lines, 53 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
22 scenes / 53 dialogue linesDick Laurent is listed as Antagonist. Powerful, dangerous, associated with porno films. In the parsed data, Dick Laurent is connected to 19 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 51 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
19 scenes / 50 dialogue linesBill Dayton is listed as Pete's father. Middle-aged, working-class, ex-biker. In the parsed data, Bill Dayton is connected to 9 scenes, 20 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
9 scenes / 20 dialogue linesClaire Dayton is listed as Pete's mother. Middle-aged, sun-worn, heavy smoker. In the parsed data, Claire Dayton is connected to 8 scenes, 18 dialogue lines, 19 text mentions, first appearing around scene 39.
8 scenes / 18 dialogue linesAlice Wyatt is listed as Femme fatale. Beautiful blonde, looks like Renee, involved with Mr. Eddy. In the parsed data, Alice Wyatt is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 71.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAl is listed as Detective. Police officer investigating the Madison case. In the parsed data, Al is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 43.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesRenee Madison is listed as Fred's wife. 30 years old, dark hair, mysterious. In the parsed data, Renee Madison is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesSheila is listed as Pete's girlfriend. Young woman, jealous of Pete's attention. In the parsed data, Sheila is connected to 5 scenes, 19 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
5 scenes / 19 dialogue linesMystery Man is listed as Supernatural entity. Tall, well-dressed, older, omnipresent. In the parsed data, Mystery Man is connected to 4 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
4 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAndy is listed as Party host. Slick guy, friend of Dick Laurent. In the parsed data, Andy is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 9.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesFred is sitting on his bed in the morning when he receives a mysterious intercom message that Dick Laurent is dead.
Fred MadisonFred and Renee have a conversation before Fred leaves for his gig at the Luna Lounge.
Fred Madison, Renee MadisonFred performs a saxophone solo at the Luna Lounge.
Fred MadisonRenee and Fred watch the first mysterious videotape showing the exterior of their house.
Fred Madison, Renee MadisonFred and Renee discuss the previous night and the phone call Fred made from the club.
Fred Madison, Renee MadisonFred and Renee have a tense sexual encounter, followed by Fred describing a dream.
Fred Madison, Renee MadisonRenee and Fred watch a second videotape showing them sleeping in their bedroom.
Fred Madison, Renee MadisonDetectives Ed and Al investigate the house and the videotapes.
Fred Madison, Renee Madison, Ed, AlFred meets a mysterious man at a party who claims to be at Fred's house.
Fred Madison, Renee Madison, Andy, Mystery ManFred lies awake on his cot staring at the ceiling.
Fred MadisonThe hallway is quiet with distant sounds.
Fred exercises alone in the small yard while guards watch.
Fred MadisonMen in suits walk through the hallway causing a murmur among prisoners.
Fred sits on his bed shaking as the noise builds.
Fred MadisonA prisoner is led to the electric chair while other inmates call out to him.
Fred listens fearfully to the sounds of the execution procession.
Fred MadisonThe prisoner is executed in the electric chair.
Fred sits in the dark as the lights dim during the execution.
Fred MadisonFred suffers a severe headache while exercising.
Fred MadisonFred asks for more aspirin but is denied.
Fred MadisonThe doctor examines Fred and gives him a sleeping pill.
Fred MadisonFred wakes up in pain and asks for aspirin again.
Fred MadisonGuards discuss Fred's deteriorating condition.
Fred suffers in agony as his head swells.
Fred MadisonThe house is for sale and appears dark.
Marian, Raquel, and Andy dance wildly.
AndyFred's face transforms into a blank mass.
Fred MadisonA POV shot glides down a highway toward Pete Dayton.
Pete DaytonFred transforms into Pete Dayton.
Fred Madison, Pete DaytonSun rises over the prison.
A guard discovers someone other than Fred in the cell.
Pete DaytonGuard reports the incident to the captain.
Warden and Captain discuss the missing inmate.
Doctor examines the stranger.
Pete DaytonWarden identifies the man as Pete Dayton.
Pete DaytonGuard searches the cell.
Warden holds a press conference.
Pete's parents arrive at the prison.
Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonParents meet with the Warden.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonParents bring Pete home.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonPete rests in his room.
Pete DaytonPete sleeps while parents watch.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonDetectives Ed and Al watch the house.
Ed, Al, Pete DaytonPete rests in the backyard.
Pete DaytonEmpty house interior.
Pete observes the yard.
Pete DaytonPete eats dinner with his parents.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonPete's friends visit.
Pete DaytonPete and friends cruise the boulevard.
Pete DaytonPete and friends go to the bowling alley.
Pete Dayton, SheilaDetectives watch the bowling alley.
Ed, AlPete leaves for work.
Pete DaytonPete arrives at work.
Pete DaytonPete works on cars.
Pete DaytonDetectives watch the garage.
Ed, AlPete continues working.
Pete DaytonMr. Eddy arrives.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonPete greets Mr. Eddy.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonMr. Eddy leaves with Pete.
Dick Laurent, Ed, Al, Pete DaytonPete diagnoses the car.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonMr. Eddy and Pete discuss the car's engine performance while driving.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonMr. Eddy confronts a driver who tailgated him.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonMr. Eddy and Pete discuss car safety statistics.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonMr. Eddy pays Pete and offers him a porno tape.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonEd and Al observe Pete and identify Mr. Eddy.
Ed, Al, Pete DaytonPete leaves for work, followed by Ed and Al.
Ed, Al, Pete DaytonPete sees a woman who looks like Renee.
Dick Laurent, Pete Dayton, Alice WyattPete experiences auditory hallucinations.
Pete DaytonEd and Al watch the house.
Ed, AlPete picks up Sheila.
Pete Dayton, SheilaAlice Wyatt visits Pete.
Pete Dayton, Alice WyattPete and Alice have sex.
Pete Dayton, Alice WyattPete receives a phone call from Alice.
Pete Dayton, Alice WyattPete gets into a fight at Tops.
Pete Dayton, SheilaPete's parents confront him about the night he was missing.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire DaytonMr. Eddy threatens Pete.
Dick Laurent, Pete DaytonPete and Alice plan to rob Andy.
Pete Dayton, Alice WyattSheila confronts Pete.
Pete Dayton, SheilaPete receives a threatening phone call from Mr. Eddy while his parents watch.
Pete Dayton, Bill Dayton, Claire Dayton, Dick Laurent, Mystery ManPete breaks into Andy's house, kills Andy, and meets Alice.
Pete Dayton, Andy, Alice WyattWell, gentlemen, we know who the stranger is. His name is Peter Raymond Dayton. He's twenty-four years old. His birthday is April 21st. He was born and raised right here. He lives with his parents, William and Claire Dayton at 814 Garland Avenue. Pete Dayton was arrested five years ago for auto theft, for which he was put on probation for one year. That was his first and only offense. No record since then.
This is Johnny Mack at station 8. Yeah, look, somethin' crazy's happened. No, I mean, Madison ain't in his cell. No, there's somebody in there, but it ain't Madison! Right, right. Okay... Captain Henderson's comin'?... Right.
Arnie called this morning while you were sleepin'. They miss you pretty bad down at the garage. I told 'im you still had a "fever".
I saw him before he went to the garage day before yesterday. He's a mechanic. Look, is he okay? Can we see him?
See you soon, Sammy. Don't think takin' a jolt is gonna get you outta payin' me back the twenty you owe me.
I don't care anyway... I'm sorry, Mr. Dayton... I won't bother you or any member of your family again.
Best god damn ears in town. You guys are lookin' at him. The man with the best god damn ears in town.
He's just been fingerprinted, and I'll run these blood tests right away. We'll find out soon enough.
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