Here's attempt No 2 at writing. As ever, feedback/comments welcome.
Brett.
The Gallery
On a rainy Monday afternoon, at a security gate to a business park, a finger pushes the buzzer. A voice answers.
Security
Hello, can I help you?
The TV shows Director, Roy, replies.
Roy
Hi, yeah...
As he looks up to the security camera Roy smiles sarcastically.
Roy
(Under his breath) Over a year, over a year I've worked here and he still doesn't recognize me. Knob.
They drive through. Just as the barrier starts to close, a cyclist (Mike), speeds through.
Cut to two lads (James and Richard) walking in and talking about a football match they played in yesterday. They reach the gates and buzz.
Security
Hello, can I help you?
James and Richard look at each other, then to the security camera.
Richard
Yes mate, we work here!
Security
Which show?
Richard
Mate, you know which show.
Security
Which show, please?
Richard
Seriously...?
James butts in before Richard gets angry.
James
Ahmed, is that you?
Security
Oh, is that you Mr James? I'm sorry; I'll open the gate right away.
James looks to Richard all smug and hunching his shoulders. Richard is not happy.
Richard
He's gonna get it. We were only playing football with him yesterday, he doesn't like me...(dialogue fades.)
Another car pulls up, music pumping loud. It's a sports car with two lads in (Craig and Trev) instead of pressing the buzzer, Trev honks his horn.
Craig
I bet you it's Ahmed today.
Trev
He knows the car, he can see it on his monitors. I mean, who else has a car like this that works here?
Trev honks again, longer and more times.
Craig
No-one does, it is a nice motor too.
Trev gets out to push the buzzer, as he gets to the buzzer the gates open.
Trev
Knobhead!
Trev gets back into his car a little wetter. As they speed into the car park, camera widens off and cranes to reveal other people arriving at the studios, then fades to black.
In the green room people are chatting and wondering what's going on.
Louise
...I think we're coming off air altogether or job cuts.
Gaz
Well, I can't be arsed. I've got another job anyway. Better hours, better pay, better prospects...
Craig
So why aren't you there now, then?
Gaz
...'cos, my loyalty is with this company.
James
Full of shit. (under his breath)
Richard and Trev are playing pool and not getting involved.
Richard
F**king Ahmed, man...
Trev knows what's coming, but asks anyway.
Trev
What about him?
Richard takes his next shot and the cue ball flies off the table.
Richard
He does my head in, every time man.
Trev
That's a foul, two shots to me. What has he done now?
Retrieving the ball from under Louise's feet.
Richard
He makes me stand out there, in the pissing rain, asking who I work for. He's a right knob head.
Trev
Tell me about it. He waits until I get out of my car, just about to press the buzzer, then he opens the bloody gate. You're right, he is a knob head.
Richard
What did you say to him?
Trev
Nothing. And you?
Richard
Yeah, nothing.
Back to the speculation, more people have put their thoughts forward.
Frank
Maybe they are going bigger; maybe they have some big announcement that's good.
Louise
Yeah, then why didn't they just email us? This is bad news I tell you. Remember it was me who predicted we would lose the last contract?
Most of the room moans.
Emma
Yeah, alright, let's not get too pessimistic until we know for sure.
Frank
Thanks, Em. It's nice...
Emma
Shut up Frank, it won't be good news.
Just then, production manager Chas asks for everyone to follow him.
Louise
What's it about then Chas? I bet you know, don't you?
Chas
Yep, and you'll find out shortly.
They all enter a large room where the rest of the company have gathered. Graphic designers, marketing, finance - everyone. CEO Barry, holding envelopes, begins.
Barry
Morning everyone. Hope you all had a nice weekend. Now then, I'll not beat around the bush, the company is currently making a loss and we need to downsize.
Straight away, Louise pipes-up.
Louise
I told you, we're closing.
Barry
No, we are not closing. However, we do have to downsize. This means that half the people in this room will, unfortunately, have no job by the end of today.
The room is stunned and shocked. People's faces drop and heads are in hands. Some people stay poker-faced.
Barry
These envelopes are for those of you that face redundancy and will explain what is happening...
He begins to distribute by reading the name out and looking for that person. It's a long, painful and embarrassing process.
Barry
...I'm sorry it has come to this and it is only a temporary thing.
Trev is not convinced.
Trev
What do you mean a temporary thing? We aint gonna have jobs.
The room agrees, but quietly.
Barry
Meaning, there are things in the pipeline which will be happening in the coming months. But right now we simply cannot continue making a loss.
Frank is very worried.
Frank
So, how exactly are you downsizing?
Barry
Rather than having four crews for eighteen hours air time, we will have two crews doing nine hours instead.
James is confused.
James
Hold on, so how's that gonna work?
Barry
It will be a seven day fortnight, permanent nights no day shifts.
People's faces lighten-up, eyebrows raise and even a slight smile from some people.
Barry
Now, you will notice that not everyone has been given an envelope, this is because the people without are key members of staff. The biggest losses will be the crews. I will be holding one-to-ones throughout the rest of today, starting with the crews who are not on today's shift. Once again thank you for your time and I will speak to you all later today.
Barry and the bosses leave the room. Slowly and chatty everyone else make their way to the green room.
Louise
I told you, didn't I? Bloody downsizing; full of shit he is, full of shit.
Emma
Alright, you can shut up now. You're not helping anyone with that kind of attitude.
Frank has taken it the worst, by far. He is the oldest and thinks he is going to be let go.
Emma
Are you alright Frank? You look a bit worried.
Frank
I'm going. I'll be going first, first out of the door. I have a mortgage for shits sake, they can't just do that. I like it here I don't want to go.
Emma
Then tell Barry that when you have your chat. You'll be fine, why would they get rid of you? You know this job inside out.
Richard and Trev resume their game of pool and seem undeterred by the news.
Trev
I think we'll be safe; in fact our crew IS safe mate.
Richard
No worries, WE are the company.
They high-five each other, Craig comes over.
Craig
We're alright, guys. It's those other mugs who need to be worried. We are like the dream team of this company - the untouchables.
They all laugh and high-five cheering. Looking on, Gaz is talking to James.
Gaz
Look at them knobs, who do they think they are?
James
To be fair, their jobs are probably safe. I'm worried mate.
Gaz
Don't be worried, when I start my new job I'll get you and Frank on board.
Frank hears his name mentioned.
Frank
What's that? What have you heard? My name? I'm being sacked, aren't I?
Frank starts to panic and get over excited. Emma gets a cup of water and throws it over Frank.
Frank
What the hell was that for?
Emma
(angrily) We are all in the same boat, Frank, handle it. I need a cig, anyone else?
Emma exits, Gaz and James too. Studio supervisor instructs that the studio needs preparing.
Frank and Craig prep the studio, Richard and Trev are in the gallery.
Richard
What the shit was going on with Frankie-boy?
Trev
I think the old guy has lost it, he's gotta go.
In the studio.
Craig
You okay, mate? You seem a bit....
Frank
A bit what?
Craig
Well, just like that, stressed and edgy.
Frank
Yes, I am stressed. I have a mortgage you know. Bills to pay, food to buy, a mortgage and shit.....
Craig
Alright, alright. Chill-out, you might not get laid-off. What makes you think you will anyway?
Frank doesn't appear to have heard Craig.
Craig
Frank, Frank. FRANK!
Crew members Mike and Roy enter the studio.
Roy
Yo-yo, what's up mo-fo's? When is the meeting?
Craig
It's already happened. Where have you two been?
Mike
We've been down the boozer. Did Barry know we weren't there?
Trev hears Roy and Mike and goes to find out where they have been.
Roy
Yo, Trev. How's it going, man?
Trev
Why didn't you come to the meeting? Oh, let me guess, trains? No, no erm, traffic? No no, beer?
Mike
Yay! Beer, are we off to the pub?
Clearly both Mike and Roy are tipsy.
Emma, Gaz and James return to the green room.
Gaz
Where is everyone?
The penny drops for James.
James
Shit the studio needs prepping.
Both James and Gaz quickly make their way to the studio. Nick, a member of another crew, enters the green room.
Nick
Phew! That was horrible.
Emma
What was?
Nick
One-to-one with Barry. And you're next.
Emma
What does he ask? Does he want us to beg for our jobs? How did you do? What did you say? Are you sacked?
Nick
Whoa! Calm down. Just tell him how you feel. Do you want to stay?
Emma
I think so.
Nick
Right, well don't say that; 'I think so'.
Emma
Well, I want to stay, but that's only because I haven't looked for a job. I didn't know that I should have been.
Nick
All I said was that I wanted to stay because I enjoy it. I feel like I'm giving something, good company blah blah blah.
Emma
Ah, I see. You have to pitch yourself to him? Oh, shit. I'm no good at that sort of thing. My mouth has gone all dry and tight now. Oh shit, oh shitty shit shit.
Nick
You'll be fine (exiting) I have a train to catch, text me later, let me know how you get on.
Emma pours herself a glass of water and gulps it back. She then leaves the green room, walks down the
corridor, knocks on Barry's door and waits.
Mike
F**k me, we need to get rid of this pub smell.
Roy
To the green room, where nothing is green.
Mike and Roy exit the studio.
Frank, Craig, Trev and Richard finish up in the studio and head for the green room.
Upon entering they see Mike and Roy spraying themselves with deodorant.
Richard
F**k! That stinks!
Trev
You smelt better before you put that on.
Roy
Yeah, well. So, what was the meeting about then? Are we coming off air or what?
Craig
Oh yeah, you two don't know do you? There's to be a mass culling of staff, mainly from crews.
Mike
F**k off!
Richard
No, seriously? From four to just two, permanent nights too?
Mike
Shit.
Craig
Yer damn right shit. Don't know 'bout you two but our jobs are deffo safe.
Roy
Why? Have you been told? You knob; why would they keep you and not us?
Mike
Yeah! We're just as good, if not better, than you lot.
Trev
Ooo! You lot? You lot? Don't you realise who we are?
Craig & Richard
We are the dream team. The team you want to be in but you're not, 'cos you're shit!
Just then Dom, the presenter with the whitest teeth in TV, walks in like he owns the place.
Dom
Guys 'n' Gals; how are we this fine afternoon? All in good spirits I hope? (smiles)
Trev
Ah, Dom. You might want to ease those teeth in a bit, there's bad news...
Fade to black
We see Emma exiting Barry's office a little upset; she heads for the entrance for a cigarette. Barry exits and heads to the gallery and pops his head around.
Barry
Have a good show guys. (smiles and puts up a thumb)
The crew are in disbelief and look at each other, jaws open.
Craig
Two minutes to air.
Trev
Un-f**kin-believeable! What an absolute...
Barry
Trev, I'll see you for your one-to-one on your first break, cheers.
Raising his voice so he can be heard on the talkback.
Barry
Alright Dom?
Dom sticks up a thumb and grimaces.
End credits.