Hi, everyone. Ok I know that the fact ITV have commissioned a pilot in a job center has me absolutely raging as myself and my co-writer have been working on this but I might as well give a sample of the first few pages. If feedback is good or someway decent I might post more of it. Either way here goes. It is set in a job recruitment agency, and is set in a fast based farce comedy (although the first few pages are naturally just warming the story up). It isn't fine tuned completely yet so do enjoy. First time posting some of our work on here, or anywhere for that matter.
"JOBBERS"
MAIN CHARACTERS:
GARRY SUTTON The job agency's conniving, middle-aged, recruitment agent, constantly being driven to the edge of a mental breakdown. His ambition usually outweighs his conscience as he seems prepared to go to any length in the quest for an easier life.
JO DALE The job agency's young and attractive admin assistant, occasionally absent minded, but often the voice of reason and despite being six months pregnant finds it far easier than Garry to control a situation.
MS. MACOUSKY The job agency's dreaded area manager, despite always having sympathy for Jo, her infrequent arrivals are feared by Garry, due to her uncanny ability to see through a con job.
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS (In this episode!)
MR PABORSKI A Polish jobseeker with an always trying to help attitude, but unfortunately struggles with English.
DAVE A recently provoked chav, recruited by Garry for employment with the crazy carpet warehouse.
TERRY, JANET, CHRIS, RODGER AND BECKY Are all pleasant and hard working jobseekers, expecting to start their first day's employment with O2.
LAYOUT
The job recruitment agency recruitment office; the main entrance is on the left wall, with job advertisement boards on either side and a window looking out onto the high street. Jo's desk is adjacent to the right wall with the entrance to the kitchen to the right. Garry's desk is adjacent to the back wall between the entrance to the interview room on the right and entrance to the conference room on the left.
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. RECRUITMENT OFFICE - MORNING
Jo is sat at her desk as Mr. Paborski examines the jobs board.
JO
(ON PHONE) Oh, I am sorry about this, I'll be sure to pass on the message soon as I can get hold of him.... Yes, thank you and sorry again. (HANGING UP) Good bye.
Garry enters from the street heading towards his desk.
JO
Garry this system's ridiculous. I've been trying to reach you all morning, why can't you answer your phone?
GARRY
I can't pick up whilst driving, it's against the law. What if I got pulled over, how would I explain the two immigrants in the boot?
JO
Why'd you put them in the boot?
GARRY
Have you ever tried getting six Poles in a Volkswagen? They're not popes Jo, you can't just take their hats off.
JO
(SIGH) Anyway, guy called Dave keeps ringing, say's he was expecting a lift, some, carpet work or something.
GARRY
Dave... Dave... oh, I was supposed to be picking him up.
JO
Well he sounds very annoyed about it.
GARRY
Yes, I'll call him back, what's his number?
JO
On the post-it.
GARRY
(LOOKS AROUND) what post-it, where?
JO On the monitor.
GARRY
Oh, I do wish you wouldn't put things... (PICKS UP THE POST-IT) there's two numbers on here.
JO
You sure?
GARRY
Either that or you've written his name underneath in binary.
JO
Ah, yeah, a man called from O2 to confirm you still had some new starters or something.
GARRY
Well which ones which?
JO
Although I wasn't aware we had any new contracts with O2.
GARRY
Err, no, just a, thing, I was, probably a mistake or something. Which one of these did you say was Dave's number again?
JO
Ms. Macousky certainly didn't mention anything about any new O2 start...
GARRY
(INTERUPTING) look, will you tell me which of these numbers to ring.
JO
I think the top one might be Dave's.
GARRY
Might be?
JO
Err, no, the top ones O2... think I'm sure.
GARRY
So just to clarify, you think that you might be sure?
JO
Hang on. (THINKS) No, I'm not sure now.
GARRY
(SIGHS) Which one of them rang first?
JO
Err, Dave definitely rang before the O2 guy.
GARRY
Right, so you think it might be safe to assume the top number's Dave's then?
JO
Actually, Dave rang back later, he might have left his number then.
GARRY
Oh, you're useless. In future write people's names down.
JO
Well, would it not be easier if you just remembered people's numbers.
GARRY
Oh yes, that's right, this is my fault from now on I'll have the phone book memorized.
JO
I didn't say that.
GARRY
No, no, you take it easy, (PICKING UP PHONE FROM HIS DESK) I'll just whisper the magic words and turn into rainman.
JO
I'll find you his application form.
GARRY
Forget it. (DIALING) Haven't had a good game of phone box Russian roulette for ages. (TO HIMSELF) I'll just put the phone to my head and pull the trigger.
Mr. Poborski approaches Garry's desk.
GARRY
(CONT'D) Well at least it's ring.... What, this has just sent me to answer phone.
JO
Ah, yeah, that'll be Dave's then, he said, he didn't have his mobile with him and that he was ringing from a phone box in Canada Close.
GARRY
Oh for.... (SLAMS PHONE DOWN) Any other late breaking developments I should be made aware of? Northern Rock still a sound investment, Garry Glitter still cool, I'm not deluding myself about that Bee Gee's reunion am I, (GASP) does Bob Geldof still send aids to Africa?
Jo heaves herself to her feet and picks up an empty mug from her desk.
JO
Ms. Macousky say's I'm to ignore you when you're like this.
GARRY
Ignore me then. You waddle off and concentrate on popping your sprog, I'll do all the work today. (TO HIMSELF) As per usual. (TO MR. POBORSKI) What do you want?
Jo exits to the kitchen.
MR. POBORSKI
(PLACES A JOB ADVERT ON GARRY'S DESK) Can I have this one please?
GARRY
What?
MR. POBORSKI
I have this one.
GARRY
(LOOKS AROUND) Are you talking to me?
MR. POBORSKI
(POINTING AT THE JOB ADVERT) This.
GARRY
Un-bloody-lievable. So that's how you think this works is it? You just waltz over with a job vacancy and say, this one please, as if I'm going to wave a magic wand like the fairy job mother and give it to you. I mean where exactly do you think this is, Argos?
MR. POBORSKI
(CONFUSED) Err... sorry?
GARRY
Oh, no, not at all. Cashier number seven please.
MR. POBORSKI
(CONFUSED) Seven?
GARRY
Ah, hello sir how are you today (PICKING UP THE JOB ADVERT) Is this your purchase?
MR. POBORSKI
Err... this one.
Garry pretends to type a cereal code from the job advert into his computer.
GARRY
Ah yes, the deck chair and sun loungers. Yes, we have two of them in stock at the moment, would you be interested in purchasing an extra three years accidental damage cover for only an additional fifty pounds?
MR. POBORSKI
(CONFUSED) Err... what?
GARRY
No? Ok then, (HOLDS A HAND OUT) that'll be ten pounds please.
MR. POBORSKI
(CONFUSED) Ten pounds?
GARRY
Yes, ten pounds.
Mr. Poborski takes a ten pound note from his pocket and sheepishly places it in Garry's hand.
GARRY
(CONT'D) Thank you (POCKETS THE MONEY). If you'd just like to take a seat, (GIVES MR. POBORSKI THE JOB ADVERT BACK) you can collect your purchase from collection point A when your number is read out. Thank you.
MR. POBORSKI
(LOOKING AROUND CONFUSED) Huh?
GARRY
Over there, go and sit over there.
Jo enters from the kitchen as Mr. Poborski walks off and takes a seat by the jobs board looking unsure of what exactly he's waiting for.
JO
(SITS AT HER DESK) You know, it wouldn't kill you to be helpful for once.
GARRY
(PICKS PHONE UP AND BEGINS TO DIAL) I was being helpful, I'm teaching him sarcasm, it's a transferable skill.
] move on to something else might be a good plan.