1994
Mike, a struggling actor in Los Angeles, is reeling from a recent breakup with his long-term girlfriend, Michelle, and his friends, led by the confident Trent, try to help him move on by taking him out to various clubs and parties. Their attempts to pick up women in Las Vegas are largely unsuccessful for Mike, who struggles with self-doubt and still obsesses over Michelle, even calling her from a trailer park. Back in Los Angeles, Mike's friends continue to encourage him to date, but his awkward attempts at flirting at a party and a bar, including an embarrassing phone call to a woman named Nikki, only deepen his despair. After a series of flashbacks detailing his relationship with Michelle, Mike's friends rally around him, and he eventually meets Lorraine at a swingers club, where he manages to connect with her. Mike and Lorraine share a kiss, and Mike, feeling a renewed sense of hope, decides to wait to call her, leaving her number on his answering machine, which then records a call from his ex-girlfriend Michelle, before he switches to Lorraine's message.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Mike, still hung up on his ex, follows his friend Trent to Vegas where he gambles, meets women, and tries to move on.
Open full beat sheetMike is listed as Protagonist. A struggling actor and comedian recently out of a six-year relationship. In the parsed data, Mike is connected to 68 scenes, 161 dialogue lines, 169 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
68 scenes / 161 dialogue linesTrent is listed as Mike's friend. A confident, smooth-talking actor who acts as a mentor to Mike. In the parsed data, Trent is connected to 49 scenes, 94 dialogue lines, 99 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
49 scenes / 94 dialogue linesSue is listed as Friend. A tough, aggressive friend of Trent and Mike. In the parsed data, Sue is connected to 24 scenes, 50 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
24 scenes / 50 dialogue linesRob is listed as Mike's friend. An actor friend of Mike's who recently moved to L.A. In the parsed data, Rob is connected to 19 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 34 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
19 scenes / 32 dialogue linesCharles is listed as Friend. A friend of the group, also an actor. In the parsed data, Charles is connected to 12 scenes, 17 dialogue lines, 20 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
12 scenes / 17 dialogue linesChristy is listed as Waitress. A waitress at Treasure Island who meets the group. In the parsed data, Christy is connected to 10 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
10 scenes / 14 dialogue linesMichelle is listed as Ex-girlfriend. Mike's ex-girlfriend from New York. In the parsed data, Michelle is connected to 9 scenes, 14 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 78.
9 scenes / 14 dialogue linesLisa is listed as Christy's friend. A brunette who meets the group at the lounge. In the parsed data, Lisa is connected to 5 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 16.
5 scenes / 8 dialogue linesLorraine is listed as Love interest. A woman Mike meets at The Derby. In the parsed data, Lorraine is connected to 3 scenes, 23 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 69.
3 scenes / 23 dialogue linesNikki is listed as Love interest. A woman Mike meets at The Dresden. In the parsed data, Nikki is connected to 2 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 14 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
2 scenes / 11 dialogue linesEstablishing shots of L.A. and Hollywood, ending with Mike sitting in the Bourgeois Pig coffeehouse.
MikeMike and Rob discuss Mike's relationship issues.
Mike, RobMike listens to his answering machine, then calls Trent to discuss going out.
Mike, TrentMike and Trent meet up, dressed in suits, ready to leave for Vegas.
Mike, TrentDetail shot of the car's speedometer.
TrentTrent's car speeds through the desert.
Mike, TrentMike and Trent discuss their gambling strategy for Vegas.
Mike, TrentHours later, the two are tired.
Mike, TrentMany hours later, sleep deprivation sets in.
Mike, TrentTrent wakes Mike up as they approach Vegas.
Mike, TrentArrival at the casino.
Mike, TrentMike and Trent walk through the casino, feeling out of place.
Mike, Trent, ChristyMike and Trent attempt to play blackjack at a high-stakes table.
Mike, Trent, ChristyMike cashes out, and they interact with the waitress again.
Mike, Trent, ChristyTrent and Mike discuss their success with the waitress Christy while eating at a coffee shop, followed by a failed attempt by Mike to impress the coffee shop waitress.
Mike, Trent, ChristyMike and Trent meet Christy and her friend Lisa at the lounge.
Mike, Trent, Christy, LisaEstablishing shot of the trailer.
The group drinks and talks; Trent tells a story about an audition.
Mike, Trent, Christy, LisaTrent and Christy are intimate.
Trent, ChristyMike and Lisa talk; Mike tries to use the phone.
Mike, Trent, Christy, LisaMike makes a phone call.
MikeThe others wait for Mike.
Trent, Christy, LisaMike hears his messages.
MikeMike returns to the group.
Mike, Trent, Christy, LisaTrent and Mike drive back to L.A.
Mike, TrentTrent encourages Mike to move on from his ex-girlfriend.
Mike, TrentTrent's car drives away.
Mike and Rob play golf and discuss their acting careers.
Mike, RobMike and Rob finish the hole.
Mike, RobTrent and Sue play video games while Mike watches.
Mike, Trent, SueTrent and Sue tease Mike while he answers the door for a delivery man.
Mike, Trent, SueMike tips the delivery man and returns to the living room to discuss party plans.
Mike, Trent, SueMike and Rob walk through an alley searching for a hidden bar.
Mike, RobMike and Rob enter the bar, meet Charles, and discuss their acting careers.
Mike, Rob, CharlesThe group discusses film techniques and Tarantino.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group walks down the street in slow motion.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group arrives at the party.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe party stops to stare at the group as they enter.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group gets drinks and Mike talks to Rob about Sue.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesTrent and Sue scout women at the party.
Trent, SueMike and Rob attempt to approach women and are rejected.
Mike, RobTrent and Sue critique Mike's approach technique.
Mike, Trent, Rob, SueTrent talks to the girl in the hat.
TrentTrent continues his conversation.
TrentTrent gets the girl's number and then tears it up.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group leaves the party in their cars.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group drives through Hollywood.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group arrives at The Dresden.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesThe group drinks and watches the lounge act.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesMike talks to Nikki at the bar and is embarrassed.
Mike, Trent, Sue, NikkiThe group leaves the club and gets into a confrontation with a group of guys. Sue pulls a gun, scaring them off. The group argues about Sue's behavior and Mike's relationship status.
Mike, Trent, Rob, Sue, CharlesMike returns home and obsessively calls Nikki, eventually getting hung up on.
Mike, NikkiFlashback to Mike seeing Michelle for the first time.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to Mike approaching Michelle.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to a picnic with Michelle.
Mike, MichelleEstablishing shot of Shea Stadium.
Flashback to Mike and Michelle kissing at a game.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to Mike and Michelle's first sexual experience.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to Christmas shopping.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to a lazy night in.
Mike, MichelleFlashback to Mike leaving for L.A.
Mike, MichelleMike is still depressed, listening to Trent's message.
Mike, TrentRob visits Mike to cheer him up.
Mike, RobMike arrives at Sue's apartment.
Mike, TrentMike finds Sue playing games with the bald guy from the parking lot.
Mike, Trent, SueThe group arrives at The Derby.
Mike, Trent, SueThe group settles into a booth.
Mike, Trent, SueMontage of the club atmosphere.
Mike meets Lorraine at the bar.
Mike, Trent, Sue, LorraineMike walks Lorraine to her car, they exchange business cards, and share a kiss.
Mike, LorraineMike drives Trent and Sue home.
Mike, Trent, SueTrent and Sue tease Mike about his dance performance and his interaction with Lorraine.
Mike, Trent, SueTrent and Sue celebrate loudly in the car.
Mike, Trent, SueMike decides not to call Lorraine immediately, leaving the number on his answering machine.
MikeMike wakes up and marks his calendar.
MikeMike brushes his teeth while looking at the card.
MikeMike sips espresso while staring at the card.
MikeMike receives a call from his ex-girlfriend Michelle, then switches to Lorraine.
Mike, Lorraine, MichelleListen, Mike. You really didn't have to get off the line. I just wanted to ask you one thing. I know I shouldn't have called, I mean, my friends said I should wait two days... Oh God, I probably sound like such a schoolgirl... It's just that it's tonight only... I mean, it's Sinatra's birthday and they have this thing every year at "The Room". Do you know where that is? It's impossible to find if you've never been there. I don't understand why none of the clubs in Hollywood have signs. Anyway, I'm so bad at this, if you're not busy I thought you might...
It's kinda like a speakeasy kind of thing. It's kinda cool. It's like you're in on some kind of secret. You tell a chick you've been some place, it's like bragging that you know how to find it. The only way you could know where a place is is if someone who knows brought you there. You have to have someone come before. There is a direct line connecting you back to the original, unequivocally cool, club patrons. It's kinda like Judaism...
Respect, my ass. They respect honesty. You see how they dress when they go out? They want to be noticed. You're just showing them it's working. You gotta get off this respect kick, baby. There aint nothing wrong with letting them now that you're money and that you want to party.
It's like, every day I see a beautiful woman. I'm not used to that. I'm used to seeing a beautiful woman, I don't know, once a week. I can't handle it.
No, he's not... Listen I don't want to talk about him. That's a whole other headache. I called because I heard you might be moving back to Queens...
Hi, Nikki. This is Mike. I met you tonight at the Dresden. I, uh, just called to say I, uh, I'm really glad we met and you should give me a call.
They know what you want, believe me. Pretending is just a waste of time. You're gonna take them there eventually anyway. Don't apologize for it.
You can't think like that, baby. It's hard, I know. I've been there. Not for six years, but I know. You just gotta get back out there.
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