Disbelief. Shock & awe. Lucy story makes an impact.
FADE IN
EXT. BEACH HOUSE
Fran and Julie are hanging out on the stoop. Complying with Julie’s request, Fran tells her Lucy tale.
FRAN
Okay. Here goes…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TECH COMPANY
The scene is sepia toned. We see a hallway and follow a thirty-something man in dress pants and an open collared shirt as he walks quickly down the hallway, knocks on a door and enters a dimly lit conference room. On one end of the conference room, someone is sitting. His face is obscured by the shadows.
SHADOW VOICE
Geoff. Good to see you. Come in. Have a seat.
Fran’s voice over covers the shot.
FRAN
My boss, the VP of Marketing, had been summoned.
Then the scene continues.
GEOFF
If you don’t mind, I’ll stand. Can’t stay long. Lots going on with project…
The Shadow Voice cuts him off.
SHADOW VOICE
That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.
He motions Geoff to sit.
SHADOW VOICE
When is it going to be ready? You realize our IPO is dependent on getting it to market this quarter. Do whatever you have to do. Cut back on features… just release the damn thing!
Geoff appear stunned and is speechless.
GEOFF
But… don’t you want?
SHADOW VOICE
Look Geoff. I hate to tell you this but you are on a really short leash. I had to fight with the board to keep you on this project.
Geoff is looking really uncomfortable.
GEOFF
Er… Thanks… I appreciate you sticking up for me.
SHADOW VOICE
You’re welcome. You gotta know I can’t do it for much longer. I’m getting leaned on big time. They need to see results and our working relationship in the long run doesn’t mean squat. If you don’t deliver, I’m going to have to let you go. Understood?
GEOFF
(in a low voice) Understood.
He gets up to leave.
SHADOW VOICE
One more thing. What do you need to pull this off? More bodies? What?
GEOFF
Definitely need to shift some folks around.
SHADOW VOICE
Whatever you need, let me know and I’ll sign off on it. I’m pulling for you, Mate. So let’s rally and finish this thing.
GEOFF
Okay. Sure. I’ll let you know.
He exits.
FADE OUT
EXT. BEACH HOUSE
We dissolve back to present day as Fran and Julie are sitting on the stoop. Fran continues.
FRAN
So he came to my building and tracked me down and somehow got clearance for me to work on the project… And work we did… Like round the clock.
JULIE
So what kinds of things were you doing??
FRAN
Mostly riding herd. I was the project manager and I had to keep folks focused and motivated… AND I had to make tons of decisions to keep the program on track.
JULIE
Yeah? So what happened. And what’s Lucy got to do with it?
FRAN
Yes, I know. You want me to cut to the chase.
Just then Gayle taps on the window. Fran and Julie turn and wave to her. She waves back and motions with her hands.
FRAN
Looks like ten minute warning. I’m getting cold anyway. So let me try to wrap this up before we go inside.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TECH COMPANY
Sepia toned images again. Similar scene as before. We follow Geoff into the boardroom. He knocks and enters.
GEOFF
You wanted to see me?
SHADOW VOICE
Yes… yes I did. Got something really cool to show you.
The Shadow Voice is sitting in the same spot with the same lighting as before. But there’s someone else in the room. Someone sitting to the Shadow’s left.
SHADOW VOICE
This is Gavin from our UK office.
Geoff shakes Gavin’s hand. The Shadow continues.
SHADOW VOICE
Gavin’s got something you should look at.
Gavin motions to the conference table and opens up a box and steps back as Geoff looks inside. Geoff looks in and then steps back and give the Shadow a look.
GEOFF
Is that what I think it is?
GAVIN
Pretty cool, huh? Most serendipitous how I ended up with it. You see I was at a pub talking to this gentleman and he knew someone who knew someone and next thing I know, I’m talking to a think tank in Cambridge. Can you believe that they had a finished product ready to go– that just so happens to solve the problem you guys have been hammering away at for months? How crazy is that?
GEOFF
Crazy indeed.
Geoff’s tone is flat. Gavin pulls out a piece of paper from a folder on the table.
GAVIN
Check out these numbers? Huh? Crazy or what?
Geoff looks and you can see he’s blown away from what he’s reading.
GEOFF
Looks … interesting. I’d have to go back and do some crunching to see how it compares.
GAVIN
No worries…
He pulls another piece of paper out of his folder.
GAVIN
I’ve got them right here.
Starting to realize what’s happening, he shoots the Shadow another look.
GEOFF
So that’s why… Nice.
(sarcastically) Real nice.
Geoff is trying to contain his anger until he is alone with the Shadow.
SHADOW VOICE
Nice indeed. This is the competition killer we’ve been looking for… and it’s ready to ship this quarter.
Geoff pulls up a chair and sits. The Shadow motions to Gavin to leave the room. After the door closes, the Shadow starts to explain the deal to Geoff.
SHADOW VOICE
Just looking out for you buddy. We had to get something in the pipeline… and I just felt…
GEOFF
Felt that I couldn’t pull it off?
(anger in his tone)
SHADOW VOICE
I knew you were close… but it’s that last 5-10% that was hard to predict. I couldn’t take the chance that there’d be more delays.
Geoff is just shaking his head. The Shadow continues.
SHADOW VOICE
Come on. This will ensure we go IPO and you’ll make tons on the options you were given. Just swallow your pride. You can get involved with cost-reducing it. That version will be needed in another six months. This way you keep your job and your options… Come on… Can’t you see? I’m looking out for you. (pauses).
GEOFF
Yeah… Sure… I appreciate that. Thanks.
Geoff quietly pushes his chair in and leaves the board room. As the door closes behind him, he talks to himself.
GEOFF
How the hell will I explain this to the team.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. BEACH HOUSE
We see a close-up of Julie’s face and she’s feeling Fran’s pain.
JULIE
For real? You mean all that work…
FRAN
Yeah, all that work. It’s like dog years too. We did so much in such a short period of time.
JULIE
So how DID he end up breaking the news to you.
FRAN
It took him until the end of the day…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TECH COMPANY
We see Geoff standing outside Fran’s cube watching her as she’s talking on the phone and typing furiously. Sensing his presence, she looks up and then holds up her finger– indicating wait a minute. She wraps up her call and starts rattling off the status of the project.
FRAN
Everything’s on schedule. You know that problem I told you about this morning. We pulled out all stops and it’s been resolved. We are on track to get pilot units in by the end of the week.
He politely waits until she’s finished.
GEOFF
As usual you’re on top of things… You know that’s why I wanted you on this project. (pause) So, are you just about done for the day?
Looking a bit puzzled, Fran responds.
FRAN
You’re kidding, right? Resolving that problem put me way behind on my email. There must be 200 messages sitting there waiting to be read.
GEOFF
Alright then. How about taking a quick break? Walk me to my car.
Fran looks at her watch and then back at Geoff. She knows him well enough to know there’s something up.
FRAN
Sure. Let me grab a jacket.
CUT TO:
EXT. TECH COMPANY PARKING LOT
Fran and Geoff are leaning on his Boxster looking back towards the building.
FRAN
So that’s it?
GEOFF
I’m afraid so.
FRAN
But did you see it? Is it really that much better?
GEOFF
Doesn’t make a difference… My hands are tied. I’m sorry.
Just then his cell phone rings. He motions to her that he has to take the call. Fran nods and steps away from the car. She waits to see if he’ll be quick. When it is obvious that they are through with their conversation, she slowly starts moving back towards the building. We see Geoff zip out of the parking lot. Fran looks back and notices the last bits of light in the sky.
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
EXT. BEACH HOUSE
The scene transitions back to the stoop of the beach house, starting with the last bits of light in the sky and pulling back to see Julie and Fran simultaneously draining their beers. After a long pause, Julie speaks up.
JULIE
Holy crap! Are you kidding me? What did you do… tear apart your office? I would have…
Julie sets down her beer and grabs the axe and takes it to a fairly large piece that she had set aside earlier because she couldn’t manage it… and she demolishes it.
FRAN
Certainly felt like doing that. I know I ended up blasting Benatar… lots and lots of Benatar. In fact, I didn’t go back in. My keys and driver’s license were in my jacket pocket, so I left and drove around… and I kept driving.
Julie sets the axe down and picks her beer back up, as Fran continued.
FRAN
I was an angry puppy — in fact I went through all the stages… denial, sadness then anger –I couldn’t go back there. It was painful. I had so much vacation piled up that I just took off for a while… driving… lots of driving…
Made him tell the team.
She pauses.
Don’t know exactly how it happened, but one day I wasn’t mad any more. I knew I had to dust myself off and get back to work… on something.I also vowed that I’d make more time for myself… (Pause) A part of me died the day that project got pulled away. And I vowed, kind of like in Gone With the Wind where she says she’ll never be hungry again… that’s I’d NEVER let myself get so wrapped up that I lose a sense of self… no longer know who I AM.
Julie is looking down staring at the ground, taking in everything Fran has said. Then came the sound of the screen door opening behind them. They both look over their shoulders.
GAYLE
Ladies, it’s time. Are ya hungry? (Pause) Come on! Grab that lovely pile of firewood and let’s get this party started.
As the girls follow Gayle back inside, Julie turns to Fran.
JULIE
So… which Benatar songs ?
FRAN
To get through my anger stage, it was “TREAT ME RIGHT” and “PROMISES
IN THE DARK.”
JULIE
From the car?
FRAN
Yup. Great reminder not to repeat that experience… that’s for sure.
Gayle’s voice can be heard just inside the doorway.
GAYLE
Step it up ladies and don’t let the door hit you on the way in…
She’s laughing as they both try to wedge themselves in the doorway at the same time, spilling the firewood. All three are belly laughing.
FADE OUT.
To be continued in Toll House Tales #116
Bonus clip:
[…] To be continued in Toll House Tales #115. […]