Dismissed (2017) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

An academic dispute expands into a threatening and unresolved investigation surrounding a student's death.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Promising Classroom

Mr. Butler teaches major works of literature while hoping to move into college teaching. Lucas Ward arrives and initially impresses him with intelligence and literary interest.

Key Events

• Othello Lessons Begin — Mr. Butler leads his English students through Shakespeare's Othello. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Crime And Punishment Lessons — Mr. Butler teaches Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Busy Home Life — Mr. Butler shares a busy family life while continuing his teaching work. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: Mr. Butler's home
• College Professorship Hope — Mr. Butler hopes to leave high school teaching for a college professorship. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Lucas Ward Arrives — Lucas Ward arrives as an exceptionally intelligent and ambitious student. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom

The Grade Dispute

Lucas Ward's perfectionism turns academic evaluation into a personal confrontation. Mr. Butler refuses to change the grade, and Lucas Ward hints that the decision may have consequences.

Key Events

• Lucas Ward Arrives — Lucas Ward arrives as an exceptionally intelligent and ambitious student. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Literary Admiration — Mr. Butler is impressed by Lucas Ward's academic ability and literary interest. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Perfectionism Surfaces — Lucas Ward's perfectionism and resentment toward grades create tension. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Disappointing Evaluation — Lucas Ward receives an evaluation he considers disappointing. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Unfair Grade Argument — Lucas Ward argues that the grade gap is unfair. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Refusal And Regret — Mr. Butler refuses to change the grade, and Lucas Ward suggests he may regret it. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school

Suspicion Spreads

Lucas Ward clashes with Chris, while Mr. Butler fears that a student is trying to ruin him. Contact with Paul Garrett and further disturbances make the suspected scheme appear more serious.

Key Events

• Refusal And Regret — Mr. Butler refuses to change the grade, and Lucas Ward suggests he may regret it. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Classroom Disruption — Lucas Ward asks Chris to stop disrupting class. Characters: Lucas Ward, Chris, Mr. Butler Location: High school classroom
• Lucas And Chris Clash — Lucas Ward and Chris clash after the request about classroom disruption. Characters: Lucas Ward, Chris Location: High school
• Ruination Fear — Mr. Butler says that a student is trying to ruin him. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: Mr. Butler's home
• Paul Garrett Contacted — A conversation with Paul Garrett suggests a similar scheme may have involved Lucas Ward. Characters: Mr. Butler, Paul Garrett Location: Unspecified conversation
• Disturbing Signs Mount — Problems appear around Mr. Butler and make daily life and work more difficult. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: High school and home
• Book Threat Allegation — Lucas Ward is accused of threatening Mr. Butler with a book, though proof is initially absent. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Injury Suspicion — Lucas Ward is also suspected of possibly causing another student's injury. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school

Death On The Roof

Becca Vaughn visits Mr. Butler's classroom and later dies after jumping from the school roof. A note and her sweater connect the death to the teacher and intensify the investigation.

Key Events

• Injury Suspicion — Lucas Ward is also suspected of possibly causing another student's injury. Characters: Lucas Ward, Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Becca Visits Classroom — Becca Vaughn comes to Mr. Butler's classroom the night before her death. Characters: Becca Vaughn, Mr. Butler Location: Mr. Butler's classroom
• Roof Death — Becca Vaughn dies after jumping from the school roof. Characters: Becca Vaughn Location: School roof
• Note And Sweater Found — A note is found with Becca Vaughn, and her sweater is discovered in Mr. Butler's classroom. Characters: Becca Vaughn, Mr. Butler Location: School roof and classroom

Unfinished Interrogation

Detective Speck questions Mr. Butler, who acknowledges Becca Vaughn's crush but denies a romantic relationship. The school removes him, while Lucas Ward offers accusations and the available questioning ends without resolving the truth.

Key Events

• Note And Sweater Found — A note is found with Becca Vaughn, and her sweater is discovered in Mr. Butler's classroom. Characters: Becca Vaughn, Mr. Butler Location: School roof and classroom
• Detective Questions Butler — Detective Speck questions Mr. Butler about his relationship with Becca Vaughn. Characters: Detective Speck, Mr. Butler, Becca Vaughn Location: Investigation interview
• Butler Explains Encounter — Mr. Butler admits Becca Vaughn had a crush but says he told her to leave. Characters: Mr. Butler, Becca Vaughn Location: Investigation interview
• Butler Removed From School — The school removes Mr. Butler while the investigation continues. Characters: Mr. Butler Location: High school
• Lucas Gives Investigators Claims — Lucas Ward says Becca Vaughn claimed love and that Mr. Butler targeted him over the grade dispute. Characters: Lucas Ward, Detective Speck, Becca Vaughn, Mr. Butler Location: Investigation interview
• Questioning Remains Unresolved — The available dialogue ends while Detective Speck continues questioning Lucas Ward. Characters: Lucas Ward, Detective Speck Location: Investigation interview

Story Breakdown

• Butler's Literary World — Mr. Butler teaches literature while balancing home responsibilities and ambitions for college teaching.
  • Shakespeare Lessons — Mr. Butler leads students through Othello.
  • Career Ambition — He hopes to leave high school teaching for a college professorship.
• Lucas Ward Arrives — Lucas Ward enters as an unusually intelligent and ambitious student who initially earns Mr. Butler's admiration.
  • Academic Promise — Mr. Butler is impressed by Lucas Ward's ability and literary interest.
  • Perfectionist Resentment — Lucas Ward's relationship with grades gradually creates tension.
• The Grade Conflict — A disappointing evaluation transforms a classroom disagreement into a threatening personal conflict.
  • Unfair Evaluation — Lucas Ward argues that his grade is unfair.
  • Regret Warning — Lucas Ward suggests Mr. Butler may regret refusing to change it.
• Suspicion And Pressure — Conflicts and reported disturbances make Mr. Butler suspect that someone is trying to ruin him.
  • Chris Confrontation — Lucas Ward asks Chris to stop disrupting class, leading to a clash.
  • Paul Garrett Contact — Paul Garrett's conversation suggests a similar alleged scheme involving Lucas Ward.
• Becca Vaughn's Death — Becca Vaughn's death on the school roof connects her reported feelings and classroom visit to the investigation.
  • Classroom Visit — Becca Vaughn comes to Mr. Butler's classroom the previous night.
  • Roof Jump — Becca Vaughn dies after jumping from the school roof.
• Investigation Without Closure — Evidence and competing accounts place Mr. Butler and Lucas Ward under scrutiny, but the available dialogue does not establish the truth.
  • Evidence Discovered — A note is found with Becca Vaughn, and her sweater is found in Mr. Butler's classroom.
  • Competing Testimony — Mr. Butler denies a romance, while Lucas Ward claims Becca Vaughn said they were in love and that Mr. Butler targeted him.

Directed by

Benjamin Arfmann

Key Cast

• Dylan Sprouse — Lucas Ward
• Kent Osborne — Mr. Butler
• Rae Gray — Becca Vaughn
• Randall Park — Mr. Sheldon
• Brooke Dillman — Valerie Lohman