NOW HIRING

Written by
Cori Cunningham

INT. OFFICE - DAY

A dull and lifeless place with pale walls and unnatural
lighting. Its deathly quiet except from within the one
office. A clerical worker, DOUGLASS, is seated uncomfortably
in front of his boss desk. BOSS is just coming to the end of
what was a very long, boring and uninspiring spiel ends
abruptly at:
BOSS
So, were gonna have to ask you to
move on.
DOUGLASS
(only just realizing they
were headed towards this)
Youre laying me off?
BOSS
(shifty about that term)
Im not saying that. No one is
saying that.
(forced laughter, keeping
up a good appearance)
But, right now we feel whats best
for the company is that we let you
go.
DOUGLASS
(frustrated)
Thats whatDouglass stops himself before saying thats what that
means. He visibly composes himself, but somethings been
bugging him.
DOUGLASS (CONTD)
Im sorry, was I the only one
called in today?
The office is empty.
DOUGLASS (CONTD)
(suspicious)
How many people are you letting go?
BOSS
(smiling)
Im not at liberty to say.
(suddenly a little
serious)
But, I should inform you, there
have been some concerns about...
(MORE)

2.
BOSS (CONT'D)
security breaches in your
department.
The Boss looks at Douglass knowingly. Douglass looks
bewildered.
DOUGLASS
That wasnt me, though. That was
Margaret.
BOSS
(all smiles again)
She has seniority.
Its been a pleasure working with
you.
The boss reaches across the desk to shake his hand.
INT. STAIRWELL - LATER
A typical, nondescript stairwell within the same building. A
few people go up the stairs while Douglass stands in the
corner, making a phone call. After a few rings, Douglass
WIFE picks up.
DOUGLASS
(false cheer, lying)
Hey, Im going to be working late
tonight.
INT. HOUSE
Douglass house is small and messy. His wife is standing in
the kitchen. Theres a baby crying in the background.
WIFE
(overwhelmed)
Well, how late is late?
DOUGLASS
(wincing)
I dont know.
(sincerely)
Ill call you later though.
WIFE
(sighs)
Alright. I love you.
DOUGLASS
I love you too.

3.
Douglass hangs up.
INT. ANOTHER OFFICE - LATER
An office almost identical to his former job. Douglass is in
a suit for an interview and sitting in front of the managers
desk. The MANAGER is a young professional who spends more
time typing away at something on her computer than talking to
him. After a moment she looks back at him skeptically.
MANAGER 1
Im afraid you dont have the
experience were looking for.
INT. DEPARTMENT STORE - LATER
Definitely a downgrade. Busy and noisy. Douglass doesnt even
have the opportunity to sit down this time. Instead hes
standing on the other side of a desk facing a preoccupied
MANAGER. This manager is an overly energetic woman who is
busy shuffling through and gathering files and papers. She
winces sympathetically when she speaks.
MANAGER 2
(in a peppy tone)
Ooh. Sorry. Were just not hiring
right now.
She barely get the tail end of that statement out as she
exits her office.
INT. FAST FOOD JOINT - LATER
The last resort. The place is pretty low scale. Douglass is
still in his suit. There is no office, and he and the MANAGER
are just standing facing one another. The manager here
appears to be a teenager. He is checking something on his
smart phone. After a moment he looks up.
MANAGER 3
(oddly professional tone)
Theres a record of lax security
protocols on your employment
record.
DOUGLASS
(taken off guard)
What?
(frustrated)
No, that was Margaret.

4.
MANAGER 3
(checking his smart phone
again)
Also a predilection towards
dishonesty.
EXT. FAST FOOD JOINT - EVENING
Douglass storms out of the building, tearing off his tie. His
jacket is off and on his arm.
DOUGLASS
(cursing)
Margaret!
He tosses his jacket and tie in his old car. He gets in and
discovers hes out of gas. He slams his hands on the wheel,
then looks out the window. Theres a gas station right across
the street.
INT. GAS STATION
He wanders aimlessly around the gas station for a moment.
Looks at the security cameras. After picking up some packaged
donuts and a coke he pre-pays for gas and goes out to the
pump.
EXT. GAS STATION - NIGHT
Its already dark, but the gas station has lights. Douglass
is pumping gas into his car. Across the street theres a dog
sitting and staring at him.
Douglass stares back. Suddenly theres someone else next to
him. This DUDE is pretty obviously on some sort of drug.
A coyote.

DUDE

DOUGLASS
(jumping)
Whoa, dude!
DUDE
Thats an omen, man. Coyotes
symbolize transformation.
DOUGLASS
(frustrated because he was
scared)
Thats not a coyote. Its a dog.

5.
DUDE
(doesnt seem to hear)
Death and rebirth stuff, man. Like
he has risen type shit.
DOUGLASS
(over it)
Yeah, whatever.
DUDE
(staring right at him)
Spiritually, death dont mean
death, you know. Its a
destruction of one state and the
forming of another. Like,
recycling. Gotta take advantage of
all opportunities. Life your life
through its many changes. Live it!
DOUGLASS
(moving away a bit)
Yeah, dude, I got it.
Seemingly satisfied, DUDE walks off, heading across the
street.
DUDE
(calling back to him)
Live man.
The guy gets hit by a car.
INT. POLICE STATION INTERROGATION ROOM - NIGHT
Its a white room with just a metal table and chair. Douglass
is talking to an OFFICER about the hit and run case he just
witnessed. Hes sort of in a daze.
DOUGLASS
I didnt get the license plate. I
think it was a black car? Blue,
maybe?
The officer sorts through some paper work.
INT. POLICE STATION FRONT OFFICE
Douglass is just about to leave. Hes still a little out of
it.

6.
OFFICER
If you remember anything else let
us know.
DOUGLASS
Yeah, for sure.
Douglass begins to walk away, almost exits the building, then
stops. He turns around and comes back to the officer.
DOUGLASS (CONTD)
Sorry, excuse me. Are you hiring?