1985
Jack and Frank Baker are struggling lounge pianists whose act has grown stale, leading to their firing from a regular gig and a desperate search for a new angle. They decide to audition a singer and, after many terrible candidates, hire Susie Diamond, a talented but cynical former escort. Initially, the trio finds success, but tensions rise due to Frank's rigid adherence to their established act and Jack's growing attraction to Susie. Susie eventually leaves the act after a particularly demeaning performance, leading to a violent confrontation between the brothers and the dissolution of their partnership.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Jack and Frank Baker are struggling lounge pianists whose routine is upended when they audition and hire Susie Diamond as their singer.
Open full beat sheetJack Baker is listed as Protagonist, Pianist. Younger brother, cynical, talented, drinks heavily, lives a cluttered life. In the parsed data, Jack Baker is connected to 73 scenes, 146 dialogue lines, 147 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
73 scenes / 146 dialogue linesFrank Baker is listed as Protagonist, Pianist. Older brother, responsible, family man, obsessed with the act's success. In the parsed data, Frank Baker is connected to 47 scenes, 128 dialogue lines, 128 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
47 scenes / 128 dialogue linesSusie Diamond is listed as Singer. Talented, street-smart, former escort, joins the Baker brothers. In the parsed data, Susie Diamond is connected to 30 scenes, 109 dialogue lines, 110 text mentions, first appearing around scene 19.
30 scenes / 109 dialogue linesEddie is listed as Jack's dog. A black labrador. In the parsed data, Eddie is connected to 8 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
8 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLloyd is listed as Hotel Manager. Paternalistic, condescending manager. In the parsed data, Lloyd is connected to 6 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
6 scenes / 6 dialogue linesNina is listed as Neighbor's daughter. Young girl who spends time in Jack's apartment. In the parsed data, Nina is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 41.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesDonna is listed as Frank's wife. Frank's supportive but stressed wife. In the parsed data, Donna is connected to 5 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 74.
5 scenes / 9 dialogue linesMrs. Ellie Baker is listed as Mother. Vibrant woman in her sixties, mother of Jack and Frank. In the parsed data, Mrs. Ellie Baker is connected to 4 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
4 scenes / 21 dialogue linesJack wakes up with a girl in his apartment, prepares for work, and leaves.
Jack BakerJack walks to the hotel, talks to the doorman, and enters.
Jack Baker, LloydJack and Frank argue before their performance.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerThe brothers pass through the kitchen and get a soup bone for the dog.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerLloyd pays the brothers and insults Jack.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, LloydJack and Frank argue after leaving the hotel.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack returns home and plays piano for his dog.
Jack Baker, EddieThe brothers rent pianos for their next gig.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerThe brothers discuss their lives and visiting their mother.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack and Frank visit their mother.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Mrs. Ellie BakerFrank shows home movies to their mother.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Mrs. Ellie BakerFrank drops Jack off at his apartment.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerNina, the neighbor's daughter, visits Jack.
Jack Baker, Nina, EddieThe brothers perform at the Luau Lounge.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerCharlie fires the brothers.
Frank Baker, LloydFrank returns home to his family.
Frank BakerFrank calls Jack to discuss business.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack visits Frank's house to discuss their future.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, DonnaThe brothers audition a singer, Monica Moran.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack and Frank audition singers, eventually meeting Susie Diamond who proves to be the only one capable of singing.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack and Frank leave Willie's and find Susie waiting outside.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondThe trio attempts their first rehearsal, struggling with coordination.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondFrank makes calls while Jack and Susie talk about their backgrounds.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack prepares for the gig with Nina.
Jack Baker, NinaFrank and Jack argue with Susie about her attire before the show.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondThe trio rushes to buy a new dress and shoes for Susie.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondThe trio arrives at the hotel for their performance.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie Diamond, LloydThe trio performs, and Susie is a success.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondPost-performance argument about tips and professionalism.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack and Frank collect their pay and leave.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, LloydJack takes his dog Eddie to the vet for dental work.
Jack Baker, EddieThe trio discusses future bookings.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondFrank leaves, and Jack talks to Susie.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondJack checks on Eddie.
Jack BakerJack feeds Eddie.
Jack Baker, Nina, EddieThe trio performs for Christmas Eve.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondNina finishes playing Jingle Bells on the piano for Jack.
Jack Baker, NinaThe Baker brothers and Susie perform for a Christmas Eve crowd.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack finds Frank dressed as Santa Claus in the bathroom.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerFrank invites Jack to Christmas dinner; Susie joins them.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack returns home to find Nina waiting in the phone booth.
Jack Baker, NinaThe trio returns to Jack's building; Jack and Frank argue about booking future gigs.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack returns home to find Nina and Eddie sleeping under a welcome sign.
Jack Baker, Nina, EddieThe trio performs 'Feelings' in a kitschy lounge.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondSusie has a breakdown about the song and demands to stop performing it.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Susie DiamondJack comforts Susie outside the hotel.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondJack plays piano along with a record.
Jack BakerSusie waits outside for Jack.
Susie DiamondJack prepares to go out.
Jack BakerJack leaves, ignoring Susie.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondExterior of the jazz club.
Jack sits in on piano at a jazz club.
Jack BakerSusie confronts Jack after his performance.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondJack and Susie arrive at his apartment.
Jack Baker, Susie Diamond, EddieJack and Susie talk about their pasts.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondJack and Susie are intimate.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondEddie sleeps on the fire escape.
EddieSusie tells Jack she is leaving the act.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondFrank argues with Nick about Susie's absence.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, LloydMonica Moran auditions for the brothers.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerFrank reviews their schedule.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerThe brothers perform at the Roosevelt; Mrs. Baker arrives.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Mrs. Ellie BakerJack and Frank talk with their mother.
Jack Baker, Frank Baker, Mrs. Ellie BakerJack mistakes a stranger for Susie.
Jack BakerFrank and Jack discuss a telethon gig.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack and Frank encounter a youth in a wheelchair.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerThe brothers perform at the telethon; Jack gets angry.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack and Frank have a violent confrontation.
Jack Baker, Frank BakerJack tries to call someone.
Jack BakerJack gets a job at a bar.
Jack BakerFrank gives piano lessons.
Frank BakerJack walks his dog.
Jack Baker, EddieSusie visits Jack at the bar.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondFrank sits alone.
Frank Baker, DonnaFrank sits alone in his den looking at old photos of him and Jack; Donna enters and tries to comfort him.
Frank Baker, DonnaFrank tries to get his son Jeremy out of the bathroom while Donna watches, distressed.
Frank Baker, DonnaJack meets Donna at the hospital; she informs him Frank is with Little Frank.
Jack Baker, DonnaJack wanders the streets, visibly shaken.
Jack BakerJack visits Susie at her apartment.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondJack prepares to leave Susie's apartment; they share a moment about their relationship.
Jack Baker, Susie DiamondLet me explain something to you, little brother. See, I've got people who depend on me. I've got a wife and two children who expect to wake up every morning with food on the table and heat in the house. I got a mortgage. I got car payments. I got Ma's medical bills. Oh yeah, and I got you. Yeah, you. Jack the shadow who's so cool and so hip and so fucking sure he's better than everyone else. Don't you think I'd like to walk up to one of these assholes and blow smoke in his face? Goddamn right I would. But I can't. Because I have to be responsible, little brother. I have to make sure the numbers balance out in my favor at the end of each month so everyone can go on living their lives. You don't win medals for it, but you can be damn sure you'd all take notice if I folded up shop. So don't talk to me about dignity, little brother. You're drawing on a weak hand.
It wasn't so bad, though. I'd get a nice piece of steak, flowers, sometimes even a gift. Usually whatever the guy was into. Got a socket set once. Believe it? The guy looked like he'd just given me four dozen roses. But I stayed at the Hartford once. You should see the rooms. All satin and velvet. And the bed. Royal blue, trimmed in lace clean as snow. Hard to believe sleeping in a room like that don't change your life. But it don't. The bed may be magic, but the mirror isn't. You wake up the same old Susie.
Funny. Watching tonight, I was remembering when you were young. How I used to stand in the kitchen, listening to the two of you practice while I did the dishes. My two little radios. Sometimes I'd stop and go to the door and just watch. Sometimes your father would too. He liked to listen to you play. Did you know that?
He took me out to the docks one day. We did that a lot. There were other places, but he loved the ocean. He'd worked boats as a kid. Never got rid of it. It was always in him. He'd drink a little when we'd go. If he drank enough, he'd do this funny Irish jig. To make me laugh. He drank a lot that day.
If you wanna smoke, put on a pair of sunglasses and go play with the niggers on State Street.
Thirty-seven girls. And not one who can carry a tune. That must be statistically impossible.
I set it for Wednesday. The ceremony. They're doing the stone today. It's okay? Wednesday?
I mean maybe you should check with us before you go off and book us a month in advance.
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