1999
Grady Tripp, a middle-aged novelist and professor, grapples with writer's block, a failing marriage, and an affair with his university's chancellor, Sara Gaskell, who is now pregnant with his child. During a literary festival, Grady's life spirals further into chaos when his eccentric student, James Leer, shoots Sara's dog, Poe, with a cap gun, leading Grady to dispose of the dog's body and steal a valuable Marilyn Monroe jacket from Sara's husband, Walter. Grady's editor, Terry Crabtree, arrives to retrieve Grady's overdue manuscript, but the manuscript is accidentally destroyed during a confrontation with Vernon Hardapple, a man claiming ownership of Grady's car. After a series of misadventures involving James, Crabtree, and the stolen jacket, Grady is hospitalized for a drug problem and an infected ankle.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Professor Grady Tripp’s mundane academic life is upended by a series of chaotic events involving his students, a missing dog, and a rekindled affair.
Open full beat sheetGrady Tripp is listed as Protagonist. 45-year-old novelist, professor, and insomniac. In the parsed data, Grady Tripp is connected to 101 scenes, 77 dialogue lines, 77 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
101 scenes / 77 dialogue linesJames Leer is listed as Student. 19-year-old student in Grady's workshop, socially awkward, obsessed with movie suicides. In the parsed data, James Leer is connected to 34 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
34 scenes / 12 dialogue linesTerry Crabtree is listed as Grady's Editor. Grady's editor and friend, flamboyant and opportunistic. In the parsed data, Terry Crabtree is connected to 32 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 22 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
32 scenes / 21 dialogue linesSara Gaskell is listed as Chancellor. Chancellor of the university, having an affair with Grady. In the parsed data, Sara Gaskell is connected to 17 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
17 scenes / 24 dialogue linesHannah Green is listed as Student. A beautiful student who rents a room from Grady. In the parsed data, Hannah Green is connected to 12 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMiss Sloviak is listed as Crabtree's companion. A stunning woman who accompanies Crabtree. In the parsed data, Miss Sloviak is connected to 11 scenes, 13 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
11 scenes / 13 dialogue linesQ is listed as Author. A famous, commanding author visiting for WordFest. In the parsed data, Q is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 18.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesWalter Gaskell is listed as Professor. Sara's husband, obsessed with baseball memorabilia and Marilyn Monroe. In the parsed data, Walter Gaskell is connected to 6 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
6 scenes / 2 dialogue linesVernon Hardapple is listed as Antagonist. A small, scarred man who claims ownership of Grady's car. In the parsed data, Vernon Hardapple is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 89.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesOola is listed as Waitress. A pregnant waitress at the Hi-Hat Club. In the parsed data, Oola is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 28.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGrady reads a story to his workshop students; James Leer is introduced as a socially awkward student; Hannah Green defends James' writing style.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Hannah GreenGrady encounters Sara Gaskell; they exchange brief, awkward words.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellGrady drives his car while smoking a joint.
Grady TrippGrady cruises through Pittsburgh.
Grady TrippGrady meets Crabtree and Miss Sloviak at the airport.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Miss SloviakGrady and Crabtree discuss the book and Miss Sloviak.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Miss SloviakGrady reveals to Crabtree that his wife Emily left him.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Miss SloviakGrady arrives at the Gaskell house with Crabtree and Miss Sloviak.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Miss SloviakSara greets the guests; Poe the dog barks at Grady.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Sara Gaskell, Miss SloviakGrady and Sara discuss their affair and the pregnancy.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellCrabtree and Miss Sloviak mingle; Grady observes Q.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Hannah Green, Walter Gaskell, Miss Sloviak, QGrady meets James Leer outside; James shows him a cap gun.
Grady Tripp, James LeerJames lists movie suicides for the party guests.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry Crabtree, Hannah Green, Miss SloviakGrady shows James Marilyn Monroe's wedding jacket.
Grady Tripp, James LeerJames shoots Poe the dog when it attacks Grady.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady and James discuss the dead dog.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady and James hide the dog in the car trunk.
Grady Tripp, James LeerQ gives a lecture; James laughs out loud.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry Crabtree, Sara Gaskell, QGrady watches James Leer laugh during Q's speech, then leaves the auditorium.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry Crabtree, QGrady enters the lobby and heads toward the restrooms.
Grady TrippGrady collapses in the corridor and is found by Sara.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellJames, Crabtree, and a student emerge from the auditorium; Grady meets Miss Sloviak.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry Crabtree, Sara Gaskell, Miss SloviakGrady and Miss Sloviak look at the trunk of the car.
Grady Tripp, Miss SloviakGrady and Miss Sloviak talk while driving.
Grady Tripp, Miss SloviakGrady drops off Miss Sloviak.
Grady Tripp, Miss SloviakGrady arrives at the Hi-Hat Club.
Grady TrippGrady enters the club.
Grady TrippGrady finds Crabtree and James Leer in a booth.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry Crabtree, Hannah Green, Q, OolaGrady dances with Hannah Green.
Grady Tripp, Hannah GreenGrady helps James Leer into Hannah's car and encounters Vernon Hardapple.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Hannah Green, Vernon HardappleGrady drives with Crabtree and Q; Vernon Hardapple jumps on the car.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Q, Vernon HardappleGrady returns to Thaw Hall to retrieve the knapsack.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, QGrady meets Traxler.
Grady TrippGrady retrieves the knapsack.
Grady TrippGrady finds the car gone.
Grady TrippTraxler gives Grady a ride.
Grady TrippGrady watches the Gaskell house.
Grady Tripp, Sara Gaskell, Walter GaskellGrady arrives home.
Grady TrippGrady finds Hannah sleeping.
Grady Tripp, Hannah GreenGrady finds James Leer sleeping and discovers the jacket.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady gets the newspaper.
Grady TrippGrady gets the car keys.
Grady Tripp, Terry CrabtreeGrady looks at Emily's office.
Grady TrippGrady writes.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry CrabtreeGrady talks to Officer Pupcik.
Grady TrippGrady and James leave.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Hannah GreenGrady and James shop.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady visits Sara.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellGrady and James drive while discussing James's family history and the joint.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady and James arrive in Kinship to visit Grady's wife.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady knocks on the door while James waits on the car.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady instructs James to enter through the doggy door.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady leads James through the house.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady finds his wedding photo and calls Sara.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellJames watches TV and encounters the Winters.
James Leer, Walter GaskellHank treats Grady's ankle while they discuss Grady's book.
Grady Tripp, Walter GaskellGrady and James drive; Grady confronts James about his behavior.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady and James stop for food.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady tries to find information about Carvel.
Grady TrippGrady searches James's knapsack.
Grady TrippGrady and James eat; Grady watches for James's parents.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady meets James's parents.
Grady TrippGrady tells James he must go with his parents.
Grady Tripp, James LeerJames leaves with his parents.
Grady Tripp, James LeerGrady reads James's manuscript.
Grady TrippGrady arrives home to find a party.
Grady TrippGrady finds Hannah reading his manuscript.
Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, Hannah GreenGrady and Crabtree drive to rescue James.
Grady Tripp, Terry CrabtreeGrady and Crabtree arrive at the Leer house.
Grady Tripp, Terry CrabtreeGrady and Crabtree rescue James.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry CrabtreeGrady and Crabtree prepare a decoy for James' bed using Poe the dog.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry CrabtreeThe house is left empty with lights on.
Grady, Crabtree, and James return to the house.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry CrabtreeGrady notices James' shoes outside Crabtree's door.
Grady Tripp, James Leer, Terry CrabtreeGrady checks on Hannah and finds her red boots.
Grady Tripp, Hannah GreenGrady encounters Jeff, a former student.
Grady TrippGrady calls Walter Gaskell and confesses his love for Sara.
Grady Tripp, Walter GaskellNewspapers are delivered.
Grady sees Sara arrive in a cab.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellSara confronts Grady about the missing student and the stolen car.
Grady Tripp, Sara GaskellWell I do. I've always loved you, Sara. I didn't know it at the time, but I'd always been waiting for you. My whole life. Because you're who I need. Because nothing makes sense without you. Because the best moment of every day is the moment I first see your face. And because when you leave a room, there's no reason to be in it any more. It's just a room again.
I've been re-reading Arsonist's Daughter. It's so beautiful, Grady. So natural. It's like ail your sentences always existed, just waiting around in Style Heaven, or wherever, for you to fetch them down.
He said he hasn't had a success in ten years and everyone in New York thinks he's kind of .a. . . loser. But I'm sure your book is so good that he'll be able to keep his job.
No you don't. And fuck you for saying you do. And fuck you for "saying. . . for saying there's just no way. Because there could be a way, Grady.
Our own James Leer, a sophomore in English literature, has found a publisher for his first novel, which I believe is called The Lovely Parade.
It's just that, you know, I was thinking about how, in class, you're always telling us that writers make choices--at least the good ones.
I'm not very happy with you right now, Grady. But more importantly, Walter's not very happy and he's gotten the police involved.
Primarily. Although I gather you two staged a little raid on the CRABTREE pharmacopoeia. You missed a few bottles, by the way.
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