2006
Gary, a troubled actor, is placed under house arrest with his publicist, Margaret, where he experiences strange occurrences and begins to question his reality, discovering a mysterious note about “The Nines.”. As Gary’s perception of reality fractures, he learns from Margaret that he is a multi-dimensional being, and his current existence is a construct. The narrative then shifts to Gavin, a television show creator, who navigates the cutthroat world of network television, facing challenges with casting and the show’s uncertain future, all while being subtly influenced by the concept of “The Nines.”. Gavin realizes he is being watched by something beyond the camera, leading to a digital interface revealing his reality is a simulation, which he chooses to exit.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film follows Gary’s adjustment to house arrest under the watchful eye of publicist Margaret, intercut with a parallel storyline about TV producer Gavin wrestling with creative compromises.
Open full beat sheet9 is listed as Protagonist. A small burlap doll with a zipper chest, sophisticated hand construction, and a glowing talisman. In the parsed data, 9 is connected to 75 scenes, 92 dialogue lines, 92 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
75 scenes / 92 dialogue lines2 is listed as Mentor. An older, decrepit ragdoll made of old leather shoes, wearing a monocle. In the parsed data, 2 is connected to 46 scenes, 82 dialogue lines, 82 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
46 scenes / 82 dialogue lines5 is listed as Support. A ragdoll with one eye, skilled at sewing and repair. In the parsed data, 5 is connected to 14 scenes, 30 dialogue lines, 30 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
14 scenes / 30 dialogue lines1 is listed as Leader. The oldest and most primitive ragdoll, authoritarian, wears a papal-like headpiece. In the parsed data, 1 is connected to 13 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 74.
13 scenes / 8 dialogue lines7 is listed as Scout. A brave, reckless, and skilled fighter ragdoll. In the parsed data, 7 is connected to 5 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
5 scenes / 2 dialogue lines8 is listed as Enforcer. A large, strong ragdoll armored with tin and metal, carries knives. In the parsed data, 8 is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 62.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue lines3 is listed as Cataloguers. Two small ragdolls who communicate by beaming ideas and cataloguing information.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines4 is listed as Cataloguers. Two small ragdolls who communicate by beaming ideas and cataloguing information.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue lines6 is listed as Visionary. An ink-stained ragdoll with pen-nib fingers who sees visions.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDictator is listed as Antagonist. The human leader who misused the Fabrication Machine.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesScientist is listed as Creator. The human inventor who created the Fabrication Machine and the ragdolls.
0 scenes / 0 dialogue linesMargaret meets Gary at the courthouse to handle his release and transport him to house arrest.
2, 9Margaret explains her role as a publicist for famous people in trouble.
2, 9Gary arrives at the house and performs a voice recognition check for his parole.
9, 2Margaret shows Gary the house and warns him about the consequences of failing his house arrest.
2, 9Margaret confiscates Gary's phone and alcohol.
2, 9Gary meets his neighbor Sarah while she is practicing golf.
9, 5Sarah visits Gary; they drink wine and dance, but are interrupted by a baby monitor.
9, 5Gary cleans up after Sarah leaves, chugs the remaining wine, and hides the bottle.
9Gary works out intensely.
9Gary finds a mysterious note.
9Gary hears strange messages through the baby monitor.
9, 5Gary receives a disturbing phone call and encounters a double.
9Gary meets a young girl at a bus stop.
9, 1Gary is arrested.
9, 2Margaret puts Gary under house arrest.
9, 2Margaret marks the boundary of the house arrest.
9, 2Gary and Margaret share a lighthearted moment.
9, 2Gary and Margaret say goodnight.
9, 2Establishing shot.
Gary and Margaret admire an inflatable castle.
9, 2Gary and Margaret play in the inflatable castle.
9, 2Sarah visits.
9, 5Sarah confronts Gary about his relationship with Margaret.
9, 5Gary and Margaret discuss the 'Nines' note.
9, 2Gary plays backgammon while Margaret takes a call.
9, 2Margaret confronts Sarah.
2, 5Gary overhears the confrontation.
9Goodnight exchange.
9, 2Gary contemplates.
9Gary and Sarah discuss the Nines.
9, 5Gary questions Margaret about his identity.
9, 2Gary crosses the boundary line.
9, 2Susan, Gavin, and the Editor review a rough cut of the pilot.
9, 2Gavin gives an impromptu interview about trusting Susan's taste.
9, 2Gavin and Melissa discuss a line of dialogue for a scene with Noelle.
9, 7, 1The pilot is screened for a recruited audience.
Gavin and Susan watch a focus group where an agitated man confronts Gavin through the mirror.
9, 2Gavin gives an interview about the agitated man's comments.
9Gavin hosts a game night with friends.
9, 2, 7Susan advises Gavin to look for the 'Nines' in the focus group cards.
9, 2, 7Susan explains that Melissa scored poorly with the highest-rated viewers.
2Susan suggests replacing Melissa with Dahlia Salem.
9, 2Establishing shot of the coffeeshop.
Gavin meets with Dahlia Salem.
9, 5Gavin gives an interview about his meeting with Dahlia.
9Gavin plays video games to relieve stress.
9Gavin demands to hear from Roger about replacing Melissa.
9Susan confirms Roger wants to replace Melissa with Dahlia.
9, 2Melissa rehearses a song.
9, 7Gavin tells Melissa she is being replaced.
9, 7Susan explains the Upfronts.
2Gavin gives an interview about the dishonesty of Upfronts.
9, 2Gavin travels through New York.
9Gavin arrives at the hotel.
9Gavin enters his room.
9Gavin finds a congratulatory card from the network.
9Gavin runs into Dahlia Salem.
9, 5Gavin learns Dahlia won't be in his show.
9Susan discusses the uncertain schedule.
2Gavin confronts John Gatins.
9Gavin confronts Susan about the show's status.
9, 2Gavin realizes he is being watched by something beyond the camera.
9, 8A continuation of a previous scene.
2A perspective shift reveals a digital interface with an exit prompt, which is selected.
9Margaret explains to Gary his true nature as a multi-dimensional being.
9, 2Gabriel, Mary, and Noelle return from a hike.
9, 2, 1The family's car battery is dead and they are stranded without signal.
9, 2, 1Gabriel encounters Sierra while searching for a signal.
9, 5Mary and Noelle watch old footage on a video camera.
2, 1Sierra agrees to help Gabriel, revealing she recognizes him.
9, 5Sierra confronts Gabriel about his identity and past.
9, 5Noelle speaks her first words to Mary.
2, 1Gabriel and Sierra discuss his need to quit his current reality.
9, 5Sierra reveals her true intent to Gabriel.
9, 5Mary searches for Noelle, and Gabriel returns with her.
2, 1, 9The family gets into the car and prepares to leave.
9, 2, 1The family drives down the gravel road.
9, 2, 1The Prius turns onto the paved road.
9, 2, 1The family arrives home.
Gabriel carries Noelle inside.
9, 1, 2Alone? He's an actor. If nobody's watching him, he doesn't really exist. And for the record, I'm not the one deceiving him. He's going to figure it out eventually. And when he does, who do you think he's gonna blame?
You're not going to understand this yet, but we've known each other for like 25 years. One day when I was 12, you called me out of the blue. And we've been talking ever since.
That probably wouldn't happen. The basic structure of the universe should hold. I guess I'm just worried about the human factor. You guys kill each other a lot.
Howkajew. It sounds like kosher drug paraphernalia. Like, come on Shmuley! Have a toke on the Howkajew.
He's not coming back. But it's gonna be okay. He put the pieces together, it's like...
Yes. No. Not the movie, the ride. I was like, "Gar! Keep both hands inside the boat!"
I understand. It's not your fault. You're morally incapable of doing the right thing.
I just don't know if you need the cold open. People want to get right to the story.
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.