Three Act Structure: Plot

Act One
Beginning – Arthur is playing games on his computer
Inciting incident – Receives a message telling him he needs to steal something from his
estranged family’s home.
Second thoughts – He is originally hesitant, but he remembers the harsh treatment he
received in the past.
Climax of act one – he sets off starting his journey.

Act Two
Obstacle 1 – Arriving at his former home Arthur is perplexed when the spare key isn’t in its
normal spot. Arthur remembers his sister’s habit of leaving the bathroom window open, using
this info he climbs into the house.
Obstacle 2 – Now in his former home Arthur searches for what he was sent to find. He
remembers where his parents kept old photo albums and checks there.
Midpoint – Finding what he was sent to look for Arthur looks as to what it is. To his surprise
he discovers that what he was sent to look for is a formula for a chemical weapon
bioengineered by his parents.
Obstacle – Arthur is alarmed when he hears someone opening the front door, looking for
somewhere to hide enters his old room, accidently leaving the door slightly ajar
Disaster – Arthur listens as the person who opened the front door walks down the hall of his
old room. The steps pass the door as a figure is seen passing by the slight crack but quickly
stop as the person does a double take.
Crisis – The person opens the door as they are revealed to be Arthur’s mother. She looks in
the room seemingly noticing something but then leaves, closing the as footsteps sound
farther away.
Climax of act two – Arthur decides to quickly leave the room. He pulls up his hood, quietly
opens the door and quickly tiptoes down the hallway. A sudden voice calls out to him from
behind. It’s his mother

Act Three
Descending action – Arthur's mother questions him seemingly not recognizing him under this
hood. Arthur, disguising his voice, responds to his mother avoiding her questions.
A faint sound of a car door closing distracts his mother. Arthur suddenly breaks into a jog
running down the stairs of the house. He makes it to the front door, opening it and running
out. His mother looks out an upstairs window as he scurries through a bush, managing to
escape.
Wrap up – Arriving at a scenic outdoor location Arthur has clearly never been to, he looks
around and then takes out his phone. He messages the person who originally messaged him
in act one. Hearing a notification ding from behind him Arthur turns around. He sees an
envelope, opening it he finds a phone with a note on it saying take this. Peeling back the
note Arthur reads a message on the screen. Arthur leaves as it is revealed a hooded figure
was watching him.
End – Arthur is once again playing games on his computer. Suddenly a notification sounds
as Arthur picks up the phone and smiles.