Character Relationship Map: The Apprentice

Characters

• Wayne (played by Anton Yelchin) — protagonist

  The protagonist and an awkward loner working the graveyard shift as an apprentice mortician. Abandoned by his supervisor, he exploits his solitary authority over the morgue to engage in transgressive...

• Girl (played by Maria Volk) — protagonist

  A deceased female corpse stored in the mortuary. She serves as a silent but pivotal element in the narrative, driving Wayne's transgressive actions.

• Bob (played by Shane Jacobson) — supporting

  Wayne's supervisor at the mortuary. His merciful nature and decision to leave early directly facilitate the night's controversial events.

• Father (played by Stephen Kearney) — supporting

  Wayne's father who arrives at the mortuary, likely responding to a disturbance or summons related to his son's behavior.

• Mother (played by Lou Lou Kearney) — supporting

  Wayne's mother who accompanies her husband to the morgue. Her presence amplifies the emotional weight and social implications of the events.

• Cop 1 (played by Christopher Kirby) — supporting

  A police officer who responds to the mortuary, likely summoned due to noise, complaints, or the escalating situation.

• Cop 2 (played by Colin Lane) — supporting

  A second police officer accompanying the first, assisting in managing the scene and enforcing regulations.

• Medic 1 (played by Simon Mallory) — minor

  A paramedic who arrives at the scene, likely called to assess the condition of the deceased or address emergency protocols.

• Medic 2 (played by Ray Tiernan) — minor

  A second medic who accompanies the first, supporting emergency response efforts at the mortuary.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Medic 2 → Girl (Professional Medical Examiner) — Medic 2 assists in securing and moving the deceased.
• Medic 1 → Girl (Professional Medical Examiner) — Medic 1 is responsible for the official recovery and transport of the body.
• Mother → Girl (Family Mother) — Mother is the biological parent of the deceased girl.
• Father → Girl (Family Father) — Father is the biological parent of the deceased girl.
• Father → Mother (Family Spouses) — Father and Mother are married partners grieving their daughter.
• Wayne → Girl (Romantic Obsessive Attraction) — Wayne becomes fixated on the deceased girl and decides to make the most of her presence.
• Wayne → Bob (Professional Supervisor) — Bob is Wayne's merciless supervisor who assigns him the graveyard shift.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Cop 2 → Wayne (Conflict Law Enforcement) — Cop 2 assists in detaining and processing Wayne's arrest.
• Cop 1 → Wayne (Conflict Law Enforcement) — Cop 1 arrests Wayne for his inappropriate conduct at the mortuary.
• Cop 1 → Cop 2 (Alliance Partners) — Cop 1 and Cop 2 work together as law enforcement officers responding to the call.

Story Analysis

An isolated apprentice mortician gains unsupervised authority and uses it for transgressive acts involving the deceased.

Plot Progression

1. A Lonely New Apprentice — Wayne is introduced as an awkward loner who has recently begun working as an apprentice mortician. His graveyard shift establishes the isolated setting.
2. Authority After Midnight — Wayne's merciless supervisor leaves him alone during the night. Wayne consequently finds himself in charge of the morgue.
3. A Transgressive Decision — With no supervisor present, Wayne decides to make the most of his solitary authority. His decision turns the workplace situation into transgressive conduct involving the deceased.
4. Beyond Theatrical Boundaries — Wayne's conduct becomes the basis for the short film's controversial reputation. The film was ultimately cut from Movie 43's theatrical release for pushing boundaries too far.