Act 1 - "getting my act together"
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EXT. THE DESERT - DAY
We open in the desert with unusually shaped rocks. A late night talk show, on a radio, is discussing the secrecy over Area 51. Somebody is climbing a chain link fence. We don't see his pursuers but it's obvious this shadow of a man is stressed and anxious to get away from something. The radio show fades in and out of the scene (O.C.) and vaguely suggests the action by the power of suggestion as Bier has fallen asleep behind his desk.
INT. BIERS CUBICLE - DAY
One of the clerks lowers the volume on the radio. Another clerk unscrews the cap to a flask filled with techila. Yet another clerk asks if he can smoke. Everybody is glad about the together time they spend during these informal breaks when business is slow. Someone brings up a picture from the magazine of a crazy man-tiger who altered his face to look like a feline.
Co-workers have gathered near the cubicles to hang out and notice that he's begun to snore and mumble and fart. Some gibberish is barely audible but not incorehent. As the nearest co-workers casually stretches as if restless, he moves down wind from Bier zoning out the chitter chatter from the other and attempt to make out what Bier's mumbling.
Bier
(GROGGILY)
Return-path chcmd at zine dot com. Envelope-to class ads at zine dot com. Delivery-date Monday fourteen. Received from smtp2 dot zine dot com. IP address 206.170.110.82.
Aaron
Shhh, shhh, shh. I think he's muttering computer jargon.
DONNA
Let him sleep.
Aaron
Shhh...
Bier suddenly jumps awake with a jolt at mid snore.
Bier
Was I snoring?
AARON
Among other things.
Aaron exits.
DONNA
Why don't you get a cup of coffee? What's your grandma's name?
PETE
Why do you keep asking me that?
A fly lands on his nose. He shakes his head like a dog.
DONNA
I forgot.
PETE
But what does it matter? She's dead already.
As Pete sporadically curses under his breath at the fly, one of the other employees peeps their head over the cubicle.
DONNA
You shouldn't forget your grandmother.
PETE
You did.
Pete's eyes wander in search for the pesky fly.
DONNA
Smart ass. I'm just trying to help you remember.
PETE
I know what her name is.
The conversation between others within the group dies down as their attention begins to focus on Pete and Donna.
SFX: PHONE RINGS
Pete answers.
PETE
Associated Content, and promotions department.
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