1995
Wealthy banker Schuyler Van Orton receives a mysterious gift from his estranged brother, David, for a company called Consumer Recreation Services (CRS) that promises a life-changing "game." Schuyler initially rejects CRS after a bizarre application process, but soon finds his life unraveling as he becomes the unwitting participant in a series of increasingly dangerous and surreal events orchestrated by the company. He teams up with Christine, a waitress he believes is also a victim, as they navigate escalating threats, including car chases, being trapped in a sinking taxi, and discovering his home has been ransacked. Schuyler eventually realizes Christine is a CRS operative and that his assets have been drained, leading him to flee the country and return to confront CRS, believing they have ruined his life. The climax unfolds on the rooftop of the CRS building, where Schuyler confronts Christine and David, accidentally shooting David, only to discover that the entire elaborate ordeal was an immersive birthday present from David, designed to help Schuyler embrace life, culminating in a surprise party with all the actors involved.
Save the Cat beat sheet
High‐powered investment banker Schuyler Van Orton embarks on a mysterious birthday “game” that dismantles his life.
Open full beat sheetSchuyler Van Orton is listed as Protagonist. 38-year-old wealthy, fit, and controlling businessman. In the parsed data, Schuyler Van Orton is connected to 119 scenes, 209 dialogue lines, 211 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
119 scenes / 209 dialogue linesChristine Kaminsky is listed as CRS Operative. Young, punk-grungy, and a skilled method actress. In the parsed data, Christine Kaminsky is connected to 42 scenes, 91 dialogue lines, 91 text mentions, first appearing around scene 26.
42 scenes / 91 dialogue linesJim Feingold is listed as CRS Executive / Actor. Competent, hyper, and manipulative. In the parsed data, Jim Feingold is connected to 13 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 44 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
13 scenes / 43 dialogue linesDavid Van Orton is listed as Schuyler's brother. Early 30s, unkempt, energetic, and unpredictable. In the parsed data, David Van Orton is connected to 11 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 31 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
11 scenes / 30 dialogue linesBob Plympton is listed as Schuyler's lawyer. Trustworthy, fatherly man in his late 50s. In the parsed data, Bob Plympton is connected to 7 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 11.
7 scenes / 11 dialogue linesAlan Baer is listed as Business associate. Elderly, muscular, blue-collar businessman. In the parsed data, Alan Baer is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 92.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesElizabeth is listed as Schuyler's ex-wife. Earnest, recovery-oriented woman. In the parsed data, Elizabeth is connected to 5 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
5 scenes / 13 dialogue linesMaria is listed as Schuyler's secretary. Middle-aged, patient, and professional. In the parsed data, Maria is connected to 4 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
4 scenes / 4 dialogue linesMr. Van Orton is listed as Schuyler's father. Pinched, depressive man who committed suicide. In the parsed data, Mr. Van Orton is connected to 1 scene, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesHome movie footage of a 7-year-old Schuyler Van Orton's birthday party.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van Orton, Mr. Van OrtonSchuyler starts his morning routine and takes a business call.
Schuyler Van Orton, Bob PlymptonSchuyler's secretary Maria informs him of a mysterious caller named P.P. Willy.
Schuyler Van Orton, MariaSchuyler meets his brother David, who gives him a gift card for CRS.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler receives a birthday call from his ex-wife Elizabeth.
Schuyler Van Orton, ElizabethSchuyler visits CRS and meets Jim Feingold to discuss the game.
Schuyler Van Orton, Jim FeingoldSchuyler signs the CRS application forms after a brief exchange with Feingold.
Schuyler Van Orton, Jim FeingoldSchuyler plays racquetball alone while talking to David on the phone.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van OrtonSchuyler eavesdrops on two men discussing CRS and then joins them for drinks.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler questions Pete about CRS and receives a cryptic response.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler receives a call from CRS informing him he has been rejected.
Schuyler Van Orton, Bob PlymptonSchuyler finds a harlequin dummy on his doorstep with a CRS key.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler leaves the dummy in the foyer.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler watches a fake news report about an earthquake that turns into a CRS message.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler inspects his cable line.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler is harassed by a Rasta man at the airport.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler meets Alan Baer at the helicopter.
Schuyler Van Orton, Alan BaerSchuyler and Baer fly over the mountains.
Schuyler Van Orton, Alan BaerHelicopter flight.
Schuyler Van Orton, Alan BaerSchuyler confronts Baer about the deal and his paranoia.
Schuyler Van Orton, Alan BaerSchuyler chases the Rasta man through the airport.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler confronts the Rasta man in the bathroom.
Schuyler Van OrtonExterior of Leo's.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler accidentally spills desserts on himself.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler confronts Christine in the kitchen about the prank, leading to her firing.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine Kaminsky, MariaSchuyler and Christine witness a man having a heart attack and assist him.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine ride in an ambulance with the victim.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThe ambulance arrives at the hospital, and the lights go out, trapping them.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine navigate a tunnel filled with obstacles.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThey emerge from the tunnel and find a window crank in a dumpster.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine clean up and discuss their situation.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler drops Christine off.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyDavid appears and jumps into Schuyler's car.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van OrtonDavid accuses Schuyler of being part of the game.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van OrtonDavid confronts Schuyler, accusing him of being part of the conspiracy. David punches Schuyler and flees into the woods. Schuyler pursues him, hears a ringing payphone, and eventually answers it, only to be met with a generic operator message.
Schuyler Van Orton, David Van OrtonSchuyler emerges from the park and hails a cab.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler realizes the cab driver is the Rasta man from the airport and that the company is CRS. The driver refuses to stop and eventually jumps out of the moving vehicle.
Schuyler Van OrtonThe empty cab drives off the wharf into the San Francisco Bay.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler is trapped in the sinking cab. He uses a handcrank to open the window and escapes.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler surfaces and is rescued by a girl on a cabin cruiser.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler confronts the girl, suspecting she is part of the game. She claims she was hired by a service to show him a good time.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThe girl gives Schuyler a small wooden coffin containing a hatchet with a key design. Schuyler throws it into the water.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and his lawyer arrive at the CRS building with police, only to find the offices completely empty.
Schuyler Van Orton, Bob PlymptonThe police confirm there is no record of the company. Schuyler finds a Chinese food carton and realizes Feingold might be using an alias.
Schuyler Van Orton, Bob PlymptonSchuyler returns home and finds his house vandalized with graffiti and traps.
Schuyler Van Orton, Bob PlymptonSchuyler finds his TV playing a cartoon where a CRS-branded character mocks him. He smashes the TV.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler goes to the hotel to retrieve his credit card and finds an attache case with his initials containing bondage gear and photos.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler questions his driver about the night he took the girl home.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler retrieves his car and finds the backseat slashed and stained with blood.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler arrives at Christine's house.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler confronts Christine. He realizes she is part of the game and that the house is bugged.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyChristine and Schuyler realize they are being watched by CRS; they attempt to escape the house.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyCRS agents monitor Schuyler and prepare to move in.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler and Christine are attacked by CRS agents.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyChristine leads Schuyler toward the basement.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine fight off a paramedic in the garage.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine escape in the Benz.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler drives while Christine watches for pursuers.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyA car chase ensues between the MBZ and the CRS van.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler kicks Christine out of the car.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler relents and lets Christine back into the car.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyChristine explains the conspiracy to Schuyler.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThe MBZ speeds toward San Francisco.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyChristine details how CRS stole Schuyler's money.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler exits the highway.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler calls his lawyer while pumping gas.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler's credit card is declined.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine buy supplies.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThey drive toward Oregon.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler watches Christine sleep.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskyThey arrive at the lake and row to the cabin.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler and Christine settle into the cabin; Schuyler is drugged.
Schuyler Van Orton, Christine KaminskySchuyler wakes up in a coffin.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler escapes the crypt into a Spanish graveyard.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler is disoriented in a foreign city.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler learns he is in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler's note is translated.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler pawns his watch to get home.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler travels in a truck.
Schuyler Van OrtonSchuyler crosses the border hidden in the truck.
Schuyler Van OrtonBob, listen carefully, this is an emergency. Feingold and his people, I've called all my banks, they've drained the accounts, personal and corporate, everything-- tell the cops I've got one of them with me, we'll make her testify. They're trying to kill us, I'm heading for the island in Oregon, if I can still find it. Bob-- call when you get this message and-- be extremely careful...
All those calls to Switzerland and Chase Manhattan-- you were talking to our people. See, we were still missing a lotta pieces-- access codes, passwords, stuff even Plyrnpton didn't have-- but now we have I everything. I guess you are pretty fucking stupid-- but thanks.
Excuse me. Excuse me! Postponing the Baer-Grace meeting is out of the question. Schuyler gets on a plane for Washington tomorrow morning at seven with every contract, every side agreement, the complete closing package!
--Whoah whoah whoah-- OK the guy's a moron, sure, but he doesn't have the balls to end the world! Anyway I'm sicka talking politics, let's get back to the business of nipple piercing-- you got a ring, don't ya Robin?
I just spoke with his lawyer Plympton, he thinks Van Orton's having a nervous breakdown, we should probably hold onto him till his people can get down here...
Before-- I'm just glad you came to me for help. I don't know if I'm strong enough to, to handle this on my own but I know a lot of excellent crisis people--
Blue Two-Five... 6-9-0-D... Yes, I consent to voice-print... My name is Schuyler Van Orton. I'd like to know my balance, please... that account is closed?!
Van Orton... Yes, it is my birthday, Bob, is that why you called...? Ah... No, I'm not carrying Alan Baer another inch, fuck him, BG Lumber is history...
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