Screenplay data
Idealistic press secretary Stephen Meyers works for Governor Mike Morris's presidential campaign, but his integrity is tested when he begins an affair with intern Molly Stearns, who reveals Morris is the father of her unborn child. After Stephen is fired under false pretenses, he discovers Molly's apparent suicide and learns she had contacted Morris just before her death. Stephen blackmails Morris with this information, securing a promotion to campaign manager and orchestrating a deal that ensures Morris wins the nomination. Having sacrificed his idealism for political power, Stephen prepares for a live television interview, now a cynical operative in Morris's successful campaign.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Political aide Stephen Meyers navigates the high-stakes world of Senator Morris’s presidential campaign, balancing strategy sessions, moral dilemmas, and a clandestine offer from an opposing campaign.
Open full beat sheetStephen Meyers is listed as Press Secretary to Governor Morris. Ambitious, intelligent, and initially idealistic campaign operative. In the parsed data, Stephen Meyers is connected to 34 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
34 scenes / 11 dialogue linesGovernor Mike Morris is listed as Democratic Presidential Candidate. Charismatic, pragmatic, and morally complex politician. In the parsed data, Governor Mike Morris is connected to 18 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
18 scenes / 8 dialogue linesBen Harpen is listed as Campaign Staffer. Loyal staffer working under Stephen and Paul. In the parsed data, Ben Harpen is connected to 16 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 34.
16 scenes / 1 dialogue linesPaul Zara is listed as Morris's Campaign Manager. Grizzled, hardened campaign veteran who values loyalty above all. In the parsed data, Paul Zara is connected to 14 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
14 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMolly Stearns is listed as Campaign Intern. 19-year-old intern, daughter of Jack Stearns. In the parsed data, Molly Stearns is connected to 13 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 23.
13 scenes / 5 dialogue linesIda Horowicz is listed as Journalist. Reporter for the New York Times. In the parsed data, Ida Horowicz is connected to 6 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 25.
6 scenes / 4 dialogue linesTom Duffy is listed as Pullman Campaign Manager. Smooth, calculated, and icy political operative. In the parsed data, Tom Duffy is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 12.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSenator Franklin Thompson is listed as Senator. Influential political figure with a large delegate base. In the parsed data, Senator Franklin Thompson is connected to 3 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
3 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCindy Morris is listed as Governor's Wife. Supportive spouse of Governor Morris. In the parsed data, Cindy Morris is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 18.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesSenator Pullman is listed as Democratic Presidential Candidate. Morris's primary rival. In the parsed data, Senator Pullman is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 3.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue linesStephen Meyers rehearses a speech on a debate stage while coordinating with the director and stage manager.
Stephen Meyers, Ben HarpenNews coverage of the upcoming Ohio primary.
Staffers watch the televised debate between Morris and Pullman.
Governor Mike Morris, Molly Stearns, Senator PullmanCampaign managers discuss the debate performance.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Paul Zara, Tom Duffy, Senator PullmanCampaign staff and a journalist discuss the election outlook.
Stephen Meyers, Paul Zara, Ben Harpen, Ida HorowiczPaul reveals a secret meeting to Ida.
Paul Zara, Ida HorowiczStaffers receive new phones and Stephen manages campaign messaging.
Stephen Meyers, Molly Stearns, Ben HarpenPaul meets with Senator Thompson to discuss an endorsement.
Paul Zara, Senator Franklin ThompsonGovernor Morris leads a staff meeting.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Molly Stearns, Ben HarpenStephen and Governor Morris discuss the national service op-ed and the strategy of making it mandatory.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Molly Stearns, Ben HarpenStephen receives a mysterious call from Tom Duffy.
Stephen Meyers, Tom DuffyDuffy attempts to recruit Stephen to the Pullman campaign.
Stephen Meyers, Tom DuffyGovernor Morris prepares for the Charlie Rose interview.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Ben HarpenGovernor Morris is interviewed by Charlie Rose.
Governor Mike MorrisStephen and Molly drink and discuss their backgrounds.
Stephen Meyers, Molly StearnsStephen and Molly wake up together; Stephen handles campaign crises.
Stephen Meyers, Molly StearnsStephen and Governor Morris discuss the campaign during a turbulent flight.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike MorrisGovernor Morris gives a speech about the environment and wealth distribution while Paul and Stephen discuss the meeting with Tom Duffy backstage.
Governor Mike Morris, Cindy Morris, Paul Zara, Stephen MeyersMorris, Paul, and Stephen discuss the possibility of making a deal with Senator Thompson to secure the nomination.
Governor Mike Morris, Stephen Meyers, Paul ZaraThe campaign team works frantically to manage the Ohio situation.
Stephen Meyers, Ben Harpen, Molly Stearns, Paul ZaraMorris and Cindy discuss the campaign and the potential deal with Thompson.
Governor Mike Morris, Cindy MorrisMorris debates students at a town hall meeting.
Governor Mike Morris, Stephen Meyers, Ben Harpen, Paul Zara, Molly StearnsStephen and Molly are together when Molly receives a late-night call from the Governor.
Stephen Meyers, Molly Stearns, Governor Mike MorrisStephen secures petty cash to help Molly.
Stephen Meyers, Ben Harpen, Molly StearnsStephen is confronted by Ida about his meeting with Duffy.
Stephen Meyers, Ida HorowiczIda confronts Stephen about his secret meeting with Duffy.
Stephen Meyers, Ida HorowiczStephen calls Duffy to confront him about the leak.
Stephen Meyers, Tom DuffyStephen instructs Molly to get an abortion and leave the campaign.
Stephen Meyers, Molly StearnsStephen receives a text from Molly confirming the appointment.
Stephen Meyers, Ben HarpenPaul fires Stephen after revealing he leaked the meeting to Ida.
Stephen Meyers, Paul Zara, Ben HarpenBen tells Molly that Stephen has been fired.
Molly Stearns, Ben HarpenStephen tries to get a job with Duffy, but is rejected.
Stephen Meyers, Tom DuffyStephen finds Molly dead in her room.
Stephen MeyersStephen leaves the motel after Molly's death and listens to her final messages.
Stephen Meyers, Molly Stearns, Ben HarpenStaff watches news coverage of Molly's death.
Governor Mike Morris, Paul Zara, Ben HarpenSenator Thompson demands a spot on the ticket in exchange for his delegates.
Stephen Meyers, Senator Franklin ThompsonGovernor Morris holds a press conference regarding Molly's death.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Paul Zara, Ben Harpen, Ida HorowiczStephen confronts Morris about the affair and the cover-up.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike MorrisMorris fires Paul Zara.
Governor Mike Morris, Paul ZaraStephen watches Paul's interview on TV.
Stephen Meyers, Paul ZaraMolly's memorial service.
Stephen Meyers, Paul ZaraSenator Thompson endorses Governor Morris.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Ben Harpen, Senator Franklin Thompson, Cindy MorrisStephen prepares for a live television interview.
Stephen Meyers, Governor Mike Morris, Ida HorowiczThe entire staff is in a state of shock. We have sent our condolences to Jack and JoAnna Stearns and their whole family... and of course our hearts go out to them... it's hard to imagine what they're going through... All we know at this point is it appears to be a drug...an accidental prescription overdose. Ida?
And the right man to lead this great nation of ours in these challenging times and the next President of the United States of America, Governor Mike Morris!...And I ask only one thing, that all of us stand shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm in a united Democratic party.
Because you want to win. Because you broke the only rule in politics. You want to be President, you can start a war, you can lie, you can cheat, you can bankrupt the country, but you can't fuck the interns...they'll get you for that.
Stephen I just heard from Ben...please don't do anything fucked up...(She's losing it.) Godamnit you motherfucker pick up the phone! Don't do it you fuck!
I know you met with him at a little bar in Cincy, two nights ago, just before the press conference. Duffy ordered buffalo wings.
I know you met with him at a little bar in Cincy, two nights ago, just before the press conference. Duffy ordered buffalo wings.
As of tomorrow morning there's going to be some changes in your campaign. Paul is out. I will be your senior campaign manager.
I am neither Christian...nor atheist. I am not Jewish or Muslim. What I believe...my religion is called the constitution...
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