Tulips (1981) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A dark comedy exploring how a man who hires a hitman for himself finds love and must fight to survive his own contract.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Despair and the Dark Contract

Leland's profound depression drives him to hire a professional hitman for his own death. Fate intervenes when he saves Rutanya from a similar attempt, abruptly shifting his trajectory from self-destruction to connection.

Key Events

• Leland's Despair and Attempts — Leland endures deep depression and survives multiple suicide attempts. Characters: Leland Irving Location: Leland's Residence
• Hiring the Professional Hitman — Leland contracts Maurice to end his life, formalizing the death agreement. Characters: Leland Irving, Maurice Avocado Location: Meeting Location
• Establishment of Tulips Code — Maurice confirms he will signal execution readiness using the word Tulips. Characters: Maurice Avocado Location: Meeting Location
• Rutanya's Suicide Attempt — Rutanya attempts suicide due to romantic rejection, mirroring Leland's earlier state. Characters: Rutanya Wallace Location: Public Area
• Leland Intervenes and Saves Her — Leland physically stops Rutanya's attempt, altering both their life trajectories. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Public Area
• Revealing Rutanya's Heartbreak — Rutanya explains her emotional turmoil from a past lover's rejection. Characters: Rutanya Wallace Location: Safe Location

Unlikely Romance and Marriage

The contrasting personalities of Leland and Rutanya draw them together through unconventional courtship rituals. Their bond quickly solidifies into marriage, replacing Leland's isolation with hope and partnership.

Key Events

• Revealing Rutanya's Heartbreak — Rutanya explains her emotional turmoil from a past lover's rejection. Characters: Rutanya Wallace Location: Safe Location
• Personality Clash and Bonding — Their contrasting temperaments initially cause friction but gradually foster mutual attraction. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Social Setting
• Tuba and Song Courtship — Leland plays tuba while Rutanya sings, marking a whimsical romantic milestone. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Apartment
• Falling in Love — The couple's emotional connection deepens, replacing Leland's despair with hope. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Various Locations
• Wedding Ceremony — They officially marry, cementing their partnership and new life direction. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Courtroom or Church
• Decision to Cancel the Hit — Now married, the couple realizes they must stop Maurice from carrying out the contract. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Home

The Unbreakable Contract

Seeking to escape their predetermined fate, the couple attempts to cancel the assassination agreement. Maurice's stubborn refusal forces them into a frantic defensive posture, escalating the narrative tension.

Key Events

• Decision to Cancel the Hit — Now married, the couple realizes they must stop Maurice from carrying out the contract. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Home
• Contacting Maurice for Cancellation — Leland reaches out to request termination of the assassination agreement. Characters: Leland Irving, Maurice Avocado Location: Phone or Meeting
• Maurice Refuses to Cancel — Avocado stubbornly declines the cancellation, escalating the threat level. Characters: Maurice Avocado Location: Meeting Location
• Panic and Defensive Planning — Realizing Maurice will not back down, the couple shifts from passive to active defense. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Home
• Desperate Weapon Acquisition — They frantically search for firearms to neutralize the approaching hitman. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Streets or Dealer
• Ambush Preparation — The couple arms themselves and sets up a defensive perimeter for Maurice's arrival. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Home

Armed Standoff and Survival

Armed with newly acquired weapons, Leland and Rutanya prepare to eliminate their would-be killer. The climax delivers a chaotic confrontation that ultimately resolves without casualties, preserving their hard-won happiness.

Key Events

• Ambush Preparation — The couple arms themselves and sets up a defensive perimeter for Maurice's arrival. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace Location: Home
• Maurice's Approach — Maurice moves toward the target location, adhering to his professional schedule. Characters: Maurice Avocado Location: Exterior
• Final Confrontation — The trio engages in a tense standoff as the couple attempts to eliminate Maurice. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace, Maurice Avocado Location: Home
• Failed Assassination Attempt — The couple's efforts to kill Maurice ultimately fail without causing fatalities. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace, Maurice Avocado Location: Home
• Unharmed Resolution — The conflict concludes with no deaths, allowing the couple to preserve their new life. Characters: Leland Irving, Rutanya Wallace, Maurice Avocado Location: Home

Story Breakdown

• Protagonist Despair — Leland's emotional breakdown and decision to end his life through professional means.
  • Suicide Attempts — Leland survives multiple attempts, highlighting his profound isolation.
  • Hiring Maurice — Leland formally contracts a hitman, initiating the central plot mechanism.
• Fateful Encounter — The intersection of two suicidal individuals that redirects both their destinies.
  • Rutanya Attempt — Rutanya's suicide attempt mirrors Leland's earlier struggles.
  • Leland Intervention — Leland saves Rutanya, establishing a savior dynamic and new purpose.
• Romantic Development — The gradual bonding process between two emotionally scarred individuals.
  • Personality Contrast — Rutanya's extroversion balances Leland's introversion, creating tension and attraction.
  • Tuba Courtship — A whimsical musical scene that solidifies their romantic connection.
• Marriage and Hope — The formalization of their relationship and the birth of a shared future.
  • Wedding Ceremony — The couple legally marries, marking a definitive life transition.
  • Life Transformation — Leland's depression lifts as he embraces his new role as a husband.
• Contract Conflict — The collision between newfound happiness and the inescapable death contract.
  • Cancellation Request — The couple attempts to legally or morally void the assassination agreement.
  • Maurice Refusal — The hitman's stubborn adherence to his professional code escalates the threat.
• Desperate Defense — The couple's shift from passive victims to active defenders of their lives.
  • Weapon Acquisition — Leland and Rutanya frantically search for firearms to neutralize Maurice.
  • Ambush Preparation — They arm themselves and secure their home for the impending confrontation.
• Climactic Resolution — The final confrontation that tests their survival instincts and resolves the central conflict.
  • Final Confrontation — A tense standoff where the couple attempts to eliminate their would-be killer.
  • Survival Outcome — The conflict ends without fatalities, allowing the couple to preserve their marriage.

Directed by

Mark Warren, Rex Bromfield, Al Waxman

Key Cast

• Gabe Kaplan — Leland Irving
• Bernadette Peters — Rutanya Wallace
• Henry Gibson — Maurice Avocado
• Al Waxman — Bert Irving
• Dave Boxer — Dr. Carl Walburn