2006
Norma and Arthur Lewis, a married couple facing financial difficulties, receive a mysterious box containing a button unit and an offer from the disfigured Arlington Steward: press the button, and they will receive one million dollars, but someone unknown will die. Norma, a science teacher with a disfigured foot from a childhood accident, succumbs to the temptation and presses the button, leading to a series of unsettling events and the revelation that Arlington Steward is a cosmic entity testing humanity's morality. Their son, Walter, begins experiencing strange phenomena, including nosebleeds and visions, while Arthur, a NASA engineer, discovers Arlington's connection to a lightning strike at NASA and a network of other families who have faced the same choice. As the couple delves deeper, they uncover a vast conspiracy involving other button unit recipients, a secret government organization, and the true nature of Arlington Steward's experiment, which forces them to confront their choices and the consequences for their family.
Save the Cat beat sheet
THE BOX follows a suburban couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious button unit offering them money at a terrible price.
Open full beat sheetNORMA LEWIS is listed as Protagonist. 31 years old, science teacher, has a disfigured foot due to a past medical accident. In the parsed data, NORMA LEWIS is connected to 63 scenes, 124 dialogue lines, 127 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
63 scenes / 124 dialogue linesARTHUR LEWIS is listed as Protagonist. 30 years old, NASA engineer, husband to Norma. In the parsed data, ARTHUR LEWIS is connected to 62 scenes, 101 dialogue lines, 102 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
62 scenes / 101 dialogue linesARLINGTON STEWARD is listed as Antagonist. Mysterious man with a severely burned face who offers the button unit. In the parsed data, ARLINGTON STEWARD is connected to 33 scenes, 67 dialogue lines, 70 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
33 scenes / 67 dialogue linesWALTER LEWIS is listed as Supporting. 9 years old, son of Norma and Arthur. In the parsed data, WALTER LEWIS is connected to 22 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
22 scenes / 21 dialogue linesROBERT BEVILACQUA is listed as Supporting. NASA employee, former Marine, fugitive. In the parsed data, ROBERT BEVILACQUA is connected to 13 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 90.
13 scenes / 13 dialogue linesJIM BURNS is listed as Supporting. Norma's father, a police officer. In the parsed data, JIM BURNS is connected to 13 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
13 scenes / 12 dialogue linesRESTON STEWARD is listed as Antagonist. Arlington's twin brother, works for the CIA. In the parsed data, RESTON STEWARD is connected to 8 scenes, 37 dialogue lines, 38 text mentions, first appearing around scene 50.
8 scenes / 37 dialogue linesDANA is listed as Supporting. 13 years old, neighbor and babysitter. In the parsed data, DANA is connected to 7 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
7 scenes / 7 dialogue linesELIZABETH STEWARD is listed as Supporting. Librarian, mother of Arlington and Reston. In the parsed data, ELIZABETH STEWARD is connected to 4 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
4 scenes / 7 dialogue linesSUSAN BURNS is listed as Supporting. Norma's mother. In the parsed data, SUSAN BURNS is connected to 3 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
3 scenes / 9 dialogue linesNATHAN BURNS is listed as Supporting. Norma's younger brother, wheelchair-bound. In the parsed data, NATHAN BURNS is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 18.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWENDELL JAMES is listed as Supporting. NASA colleague of Arthur. In the parsed data, WENDELL JAMES is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 42.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNORM CAHILL is listed as Supporting. Viking Project Coordinator at NASA. In the parsed data, NORM CAHILL is connected to 1 scene, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 109.
1 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDR. EARL STUPE is listed as Supporting. Doctor responsible for Norma's foot injury. In the parsed data, DR. EARL STUPE is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 86.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCHARLES is listed as Supporting. 12 years old, student of Norma. In the parsed data, CHARLES is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 5.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesWILLIAM POATES is listed as Supporting. Principal of Collegiate School.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesNorma and Arthur are woken up by a doorbell at 5:00 AM.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISNorma finds a cardboard box on the front step.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, WALTER LEWISThe family opens the box to find a wooden button unit and a note.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, WALTER LEWISNorma and Walter wait for the school bus.
NORMA LEWIS, WALTER LEWIS, DANANorma teaches her class and reveals the story of her foot injury.
NORMA LEWIS, CHARLESArlington Steward arrives at the Lewis house.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington Steward visits Norma to discuss the button unit.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington explains the button unit offer to Norma.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington leaves the house after giving Norma his business card.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDWalter and Dana have a brief encounter.
WALTER LEWIS, DANANorma examines the button unit and calls her mother.
NORMA LEWIS, SUSAN BURNSSusan answers the phone while Jim prepares for the evening.
SUSAN BURNS, JIM BURNSNorma prepares for the evening.
NORMA LEWISArthur gives Norma a new prosthesis as a Christmas gift.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISNorma and Arthur prepare to leave for the rehearsal dinner.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, WALTER LEWIS, DANANorma and Arthur discuss the button unit while driving.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISArthur inspects the button unit.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISThe rehearsal dinner takes place.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, SUSAN BURNS, JIM BURNS, NATHAN BURNSDana and Walter explore the darkroom.
WALTER LEWIS, DANANorma sits under a hair dryer at the salon with her sister and bridesmaids.
NORMA LEWISNorma and the others leave the salon, watched by Bud Wall.
NORMA LEWISNorma and Arthur discuss their financial situation and the button unit.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISEstablishing shot of the motel.
Arlington answers the phone.
ARLINGTON STEWARDNorma speaks to Arlington on the phone.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISAn operator receives a call about a shooting.
Police arrive at the scene of the shooting.
Police find the victim and a child.
Norma and Arthur wait after pressing the button.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISArlington arrives to collect the button unit.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington leaves in a car.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArthur and Norma discuss the license plate.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISJim Burns receives a call from Norma.
NORMA LEWIS, JIM BURNSJim receives the plate report.
JIM BURNSNorma and Arthur receive the information from Jim.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, JIM BURNSNorma calls Arlington's number and speaks to a woman.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISArthur and Norma leave for the library.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWIS, WALTER LEWISArthur and Norma drive to the library.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISThey find the book 'No Exit'.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISThey ask for microfiche.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISThey read about the lightning strike at NASA.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISArthur watches the Mars transmission.
ARTHUR LEWIS, WENDELL JAMESArlington is struck by lightning.
ARLINGTON STEWARDJim briefs officers on Robert Bevilacqua.
JIM BURNS, ROBERT BEVILACQUAWendell meets Bevilacqua.
WENDELL JAMES, ROBERT BEVILACQUAReston Steward arrives to see Jim.
JIM BURNS, RESTON STEWARDArlington mimics his twin's actions.
ARLINGTON STEWARDJim questions Arlington about his brother and his connection to NASA.
JIM BURNS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington confirms his brother works at Langley.
ARLINGTON STEWARDJim and Reston discuss the CIA and the search for Robert Bevilacqua.
JIM BURNS, RESTON STEWARDArlington prepares to leave the library.
ARLINGTON STEWARDReston leaves the police station.
RESTON STEWARDReston leaves the building and calls for General Nathan Teague.
RESTON STEWARDNorma feels faint and leaves Arthur alone.
NORMA LEWIS, ARTHUR LEWISNorma encounters Arlington.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArthur encounters Elizabeth Steward.
ARTHUR LEWIS, ELIZABETH STEWARDArlington speaks with Norma.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDElizabeth reveals her identity to Arthur.
ARTHUR LEWIS, ELIZABETH STEWARDNorma discusses her past with Arlington.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDElizabeth tries to force Arthur to take her hand.
ARTHUR LEWIS, ELIZABETH STEWARDNorma takes Arlington's hand.
NORMA LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDElizabeth casts a spell on Arthur.
ARTHUR LEWIS, ELIZABETH STEWARDArthur enters a dream-like corridor.
ARTHUR LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDArthur finds Norma and Walter in a drawing room.
ARTHUR LEWIS, NORMA LEWIS, WALTER LEWIS, ARLINGTON STEWARDThe camera reveals other trapped families.
ROBERT BEVILACQUAThe camera reveals a network of rooms.
The camera reveals the location on Mars.
Arthur and Norma wake up in bed.
ARTHUR LEWIS, NORMA LEWIS, WALTER LEWISA jet flies over Washington D.C.
General Nathan Teague reviews files on Arthur Lewis.
Norma sees her reflection in the mirror.
NORMA LEWISArthur and Walter discuss the button.
ARTHUR LEWIS, WALTER LEWISArlington interacts with the pool water.
ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington leaves in a sedan.
ARLINGTON STEWARDA telescope tracks Arlington.
ARLINGTON STEWARDA sniper watches Arlington.
Arlington enters the building.
ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington demands to see Powell.
ARLINGTON STEWARDArlington confronts Powell.
ARLINGTON STEWARDArthur and Norma discuss their shared dream.
ARTHUR LEWIS, NORMA LEWISBecause of my foot. Because of my disfigurement. I thought of all the pain I've felt in my life because of it... the physical pain... the emotional pain. I thought about what it would be like to have that pain magnified and projected onto my face... onto a part of my body that I can't hide with a shoe. I saw all of that pain in your face and I understood it... and I felt an overwhelming feeling of love for you because I knew I'd never feel sorry for myself or my goddamn foot ever again.
I am Dr. Stupid now. Someone wrote it on my windshield with soap once. I figure it must have been a relative... a friend of yours. Oh... how they love you, Norma Lewis. And they love your husband... the one who saved you. Did he save your life? Did he rescue you from the oblivion that I manufactured?
Because you're an amputee. He says that the soul of an amputee leaks out into the wind... searching for the place where there is no longer flesh and bone. It says that the soul that leaks is the soul that endures. It is the kindest and bravest soul of them all.
There is that old cliche... that the lord works in mysterious ways. Well... I have met the lord. I have spoken to him in my dreams. And it brought me back to that day in my office when you arrived with a fractured foot... some thirteen years ago.
The play tells the story of uhree people, condemned to hell. They are to remain in a second empire drawing room for all of eternity. They soon discover that their eyelids are missing... and for all eternity they will be unable to sleep.
A psychological test. They want to see how you'll respond to a moral dilemma... the fate of a human life... determined by the push of a single button. Think of the men on the Apollo thirteen mission... sound familiar?
The goal of Prometheus is to maintain coexistence with this life-form, and eventually achieve peace with it, so that its power can be harnessed, developed and applied in such a manner that will benefit the human race.
I think maybe he's a life insurance salesman. Maybe that's what it is. It's some kind of survey. We push the button and he offers us a discount on a two-hundred thousand dollar life insurance policy. Joke's on us.
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.