Stay Put
A Short Film
by
Joshua Wood
***
FADE IN:
INT. OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Open on CLOSE UP of MARK MILLER's face.
MARK
Well?
PAN OUT to see four people sitting around a rectangle TABLE
in standard office chairs. Mark Miller, mid-30's assistant
marketing manager, SATOMI SUZUKI, 20's social media
consultant, ED REED, 30's content creator, KENSHI AZUMA,
late 20's web programmer. The ROOM is completely bare of any
pictures or other office furniture except for a FIRE
EXTINGUISHER sitting in the corner. The three employees sit
in silence with their eyes staring down, each with a
notebook and pen in front of them.
MARK
We've already fired Ted. Does
anyone want to be next?
Ed looks up.
ED
Ted's been fired?
MARK
Yep. We let him go yesterday,
that's why he's not here with us
now.
ED
It was an experiment that's all. No
reason to start firing people.
MARK
Experiment?
ED
A social experiment.
MARK
Social experiment?
SATOMI
By making fun of our product we
were trying to show our customers
we had a sense of humor.
MARK
Facebook was a social experiment.
Did you see that movie?
ED
Yeah.
MARK
Ed saw it. What about you Satomi?
SATOMI
A few years ago.
MARK
Kenshi?
KENSHI
I read the book.
MARK
There is a book?
KENSHI
Yeah. It's good.
MARK
My point is we all know what a
social experiment is. And we as web
marketers are not social
experimenters are we?
Everyone looks around at each other, they all know the
answer is 'NO'.
ED
We tried something different.
That's what you asked us to do.
MARK
You're right. I did ask you to try
something different. And Kenshi
what does different mean?
KENSHI
Umm..something not normal.
MARK
Not normal.
KENSHI
Outside the box?
MARK
No, not outside the box. There is
no box so how can we be in it or
out of it if it doesn't exist.
KENSHI
Right, sorry.
MARK
Don't be sorry Kenshi, you read the
book instead of seeing the movie. I
like that.
(beat)
So usually at these meetings we
have laptops and smartphones. But
today our meeting is different. We
have paper and pens.
CAMERA cuts between the PAPER and PENS at the table.
MARK
(continued)
The same function of writing is
used with both a computer and with
paper to communicate ideas through
different mediums. One is more
advanced allowing the user to
deliver messages more quickly and
one is slightly older, not
primitive ...
While Mark explains his definition of 'different' there's a
sound of running FOOTSTEPS outside the room. Satomi looks at
the door.
MARK
(continued)
Just older. By the way Satomi how
old do you think I am?
Satomi turns back to Mark.
SATOMI
Uhh, somewhere around 40?
MARK
I'm 37. Anyway as I was saying ...
Satomi turns back to the DOOR.
MARK
(continued)
using old techniques such as paper
delivers the message slower but
gives you time to think it through.
To craft a message you want the
world to see. Satomi is there a
problem?
SATOMI
Sounds like people are running
through the hall.
MARK
That's not our problem. Our problem
is how we bounce back from this
blunder.
In the distance there are gun shots that sound like doors
slamming. Kenshi now looks at the DOOR then to Satomi.
ED
Shouldn't we wait for the data
before changing course?
MARK
No. No, we shouldn't. It was made
very clear to me by the higher ups
that we have to change now.
Outside the room is the sound of a SCREAM.
SATOMI
Sir, something is going on outside.
MARK
It's not our problem right now.
ED
How do we run a successful social
media campaign when we're always
changing course?
MARK
Right now we're a laughing stock.
They're thinking of getting rid of
our whole division.
ED
Should of just went with your cat
video idea Kenshi.
MARK
That sounds good. Why didn't we do
that one?
ED
But it's done a million times.
The fire alarm goes off sounding three short RINGS, a PAUSE,
then three short RINGS again.
SATOMI
See. Something's up.
MARK
OK, maybe it is our problem.
ED
The building's on fire.
KENSHI
No. Three short rings is something
else.
MARK
Plus the sprinklers would come on
if there was a fire.
SATOMI
Tornado?
KENSHI
No, no. There was a memo about
this. If I had my computer I could
look it up.
MARK
Alright, I was just trying to make
a point that ...
SATOMI
Sir, now's not the time.
KENSHI
Shooter!
ED
What?
KENSHI
A shooter, someone with a gun.
MARK
You mean someone is in the building
with a gun, shooting people.
Two GUN SHOTS closer this time can be heard outside the
room.
ED
We have to get out here.
SATOMI
It sounded close. How could we get
out?
ED
If we run we could make it to the
emergency exit.
KENSHI
No. It's safer to stay put.
ED
Is that what your memo said?
MARK
Alright everyone. Don't get
nervous. This is probably just some
elaborate drill.
ED
A drill? This is no drill, there's
a guy outside with a gun.
MARK
No, no. There can't be.
The DOOR opens everyone ducks under the table. LISA
HAVERFORD, Mark's personal assistant 20's, runs in slamming
the door behind her. She locks it then runs to Mark.
MARK
(standing up)
Lisa.
LISA
Mark, it's horrible!
We see Lisa has been shot, blood is running down her arm.
She falls to the floor.
LISA
He's angry.
SATOMI
Who is? Who's angry?
LISA
Ted.
GUN SHOTS can be heard a little farther away than before.
KENSHI
Everyone get back.
As everyone moves to the far wall Kenshi lifts the table
onto its side, the PENS and PAPER fall onto the floor. Ed
steps in to help. They push it in front of the door then
stack the chairs on top.
ED
Is it going to work?
KENSHI
I don't know. Should help.
MARK
Lisa, are you alright?
Everyone moves around Lisa. Satomi reaches over to Mark and
takes off his tie. She ties it around Lisa's arm to help
stop the bleeding.
SATOMI
That should stop the bleeding.
LISA
Thanks.
KENSHI
How are you feeling?
LISA
Is there any water?
MARK
There's nothing.
LISA
The punishment meeting. How was it
going?
MARK
Don't worry about that. Just take
it easy.
They sit in silence for a few moments until another gun shot
is heard off screen.
ED
Oh my God! Why is this happening!
SATOMI
Calm down Ed.
ED
How can I stay calm? Ted is out
there shooting people. Looking for
us, to shoot us.
MARK
How do you know it's Ted?
KENSHI
Lisa said it.
MARK
She did?
KENSHI
You didn't hear her.
MARK
No. I didn't hear anything.
KENSHI
She said it's Ted. He's out there
shooting people. He shot Lisa.
SATOMI
He's in shock.
ED
Oh Jesus.
MARK
I don't know what you're talking
about.
Satomi stands up slowly walking towards the door. She turns
out the lights and walks back to the group.
KENSHI
Good idea.
SATOMI
Everyone keep your voices down, if
he comes by the room it will seem
empty.
(beat)
Does anyone know we're in here?
Everyone thinks for a second.
KENSHI
The email.
SATOMI
The email?
KENSHI
His name was on the email.
SATOMI
Is that true?
(beat)
Mark. Is that true?
MARK
What?
SATOMI
Was Ted included in the email about
today's meeting, in this room?
MARK
Lisa sent out the email.
SATOMI
Lisa. Do you remember? Did you put
Ted's name on the email?
MARK
Leave her alone. She needs to rest.
SATOMI
But if he knows where we are then-
LISA
He was.
MARK
Shhh. Don't speak.
LISA
I didn't know Ted was fired.
ED
He knows. He knows exactly where we
are.
KENSHI
My children. I'm going to never see
them again.
ED
We're sitting ducks just waiting to
be hunted down.
SATOMI
We're going to be OK. We need
weapons.
MARK
Wait.
SATOMI
And once he enters we nail him.
KENSHI
My sweet Mai. I'll never see her
smile or her eyes light up at
Christmas.
ED
I'm with Satomi. Let's kill him
before he kills us.
MARK
Wait!
Everyone stops.
MARK
I'll give him his job back. That's
what he wants. I'll hire him back
even promote him. Then he'll stop.
SATOMI
I don't think so.
MARK
Why not?
SATOMI
He's already shot Lisa and others.
Maybe even killed them. His only
future now is prison.
ED
If he comes in here I'll kill him
first.
MARK
I'll bump his pay. Give him stock
options. Anything. You name it.
SATOMI
He's passed that point. He finishes
what he started or dies trying.
ED
He dies.
Closer than before they hear GUN SHOTS. He's close.
LISA
I wish I would of washed my hair.
MARK
What do you mean?
LISA
My hair. I didn't wash it this
morning.
MARK
Why? Why does that matter?
LISA
I don't want to die with unwashed
hair.
MARK
You're not going to die.
LISA
We are. All of us.
MARK
No. We're going to be safe. This
will all be over soon.
More GUN SHOTS are heard outside the room. People can be
heard screaming then more GUN SHOTS. The screaming STOPS.
ED
He just killed someone.
SATOMI
Ken you grab the fire extinguisher
over there. Ed grab a chair.
She looks around the ROOM.
SATOMI
(continued)
I'll grab the pens.
ED
What for?
SATOMI
I'll stab him in the eyes.
ED
Are you capable of that?
SATOMI
You knock that gun out of his hand
so I can get in close and yeah,
I'll be capable.
MARK
What should we do?
SATOMI
Get behind the table with Lisa and
make sure she's safe.
Everyone moves as directed.
ED
Now what?
SATOMI
Surround the door?
ED
Yeah. That way once he bursts
through, we nail him.
SATOMI
That's what I was thinking.
Ed moves towards the door. Kenshi sits on the floor hugging
the fire extinguisher. Satomi stands in front of the door.
SATOMI
Ken, pull yourself together.
KENSHI
It's all over. I'll never see my
family again.
ED
I'll never have a family if we
don't get of this shit.
SATOMI
I'll never finish my novel.
ED
What?
SATOMI
My novel.
ED
Satomi get against the wall.
SATOMI
What, why?
ED
If he shoots the door it will come
straight through and hit you.
SATOMI
Oh right.
Satomi moves to the wall next to Ed.
SATOMI
Ken, get up here.
Kenshi stands with the fire extinguisher. He walks towards
the door next to Ed.
ED
Guys.
SATOMI
Yeah.
ED
Don't hesitate. Go straight for the
head. Make sure he doesn't get up.
SATOMI
OK.
There's a short silence.
ED
Kenshi?
KENSHI
Yeah. For the head. Got it.
ED
Maybe you should go for the gun.
KENSHI
The gun?
ED
Knock the gun towards the other
wall so Satomi can get him in the
eye then I can get him in the head.
We see the DOOR as the HANDLE jiggles. The SHOOTER is behind
the door. The door is locked as he pushes and turns the
handle. Everyone holds their breath.
From inside the room we hear a POLICE MAN speak to the
Shooter.
POLICE MAN
This is the police. Drop your
weapon and put your hands on your
head.
The HANDLE stops moving.
POLICE MAN
Drop your weapon or we will be
forced to shoot you. Do it now!
Complete silence as the stand off takes place outside the
door.
POLICE MAN
This is your last warning. Drop the
weapon now!
The door starts banging as The SHOOTER uses his body to
break it down. Then there's a GUN SHOT, followed by SIX more
as a gunfight ensues. Everyone in the room falls to the
floor covering their head until the shooting stops.
SATOMI
Do you think he's dead?
ED
Or did he kill the police?
There's a SILENCE then a KNOCK on the DOOR.
POLICE MAN
Hello? Is anyone in there?
Everyone gives each other quick glances. Mark pops up from
behind the table.
MARK
Who is it?
POLICE MAN
It's the police. Are you all right
in there?
MARK
No. We have someone wounded in
here.
POLICE MAN
We have an ambulance outside. Open
the door so we can help.
Satomi goes for the door.
ED
Wait. Are we sure it's not Ted.
She stops.
SATOMI
Don't be silly.
Satomi unlocks the DOOR and opens it. Standing in the door
is DETECTIVE YOUNG.
DET. YOUNG
Come on out, it's all right. But
don't look at the body.
One by one everyone walks out the DOOR. Satomi exits first,
followed by Ed who drops the chair before exiting. Ken sets
down the fire extinguisher then walks through the door. Mark
is carrying Lisa as they walk from behind CAMERA through the
open door. The CAMERA follows a short distance behind until
Mark is out the door then SLAM the DOOR shuts.
FADE TO BLACK
