INT. OFFICE INTERVIEW ROOM - DAY
A large interview room. Two smartly-dressed EXECUTIVES sit on one side of a table. On the other side sits SUSAN, the interviewee. Polite chuckles fill the air. Everything seems to be going well.
EXEC 1
Well, Susan, I don't normally say this directly to a candidate, but this has all gone really, really well.
EXEC 2
Absolutely. You are, as I believe the kids say: Nailing this interview.
SUSAN
Oh, that's so good to hear. I just feel like this role will be so perfect for me!
EXEC 1
Couldn't agree more. Just a couple more questions to get through. Standard stuff, y'know.
SUSAN
Yep. Gotcha.
Exec 2 checks their notes and continues.
EXEC 2
So, bit of a cliché, this one, but what's your biggest weakness?
SUSAN
Oh. Heh. I steal stuff.
The two execs pause in their tracks and look back at her, concerned.
EXEC 1
...Excuse me?
SUSAN
Yeah, y'know, nothing big. Just stuff. Like, from around the office.
EXEC 2
(chuckling with relief)
Right. Ok. Well, that's not great. But I guess we all do that from time to time. Paper clips, staples--
SUSAN
Laptops.
EXEC 1
Laptops?
SUSAN
Yeah. Laptops, printers, whatever I can fit in my car, really.
A long awkward silence. The Execs look even more concerned. Susan looks confused.
SUSAN (Cont'd)
See, I've got quite a big car--
EXEC 2
Susan, I mean--
EXEC 1
You really shouldn't be doing that.
SUSAN
Oh. Right. It's just, you said 'biggest weakness'?
EXEC 2
Tell you what. Do-over. We'll do a do-over.
SUSAN
Ah. Really?
EXEC 2
Yep. We'll just take a Mulligan. Forget all that. Off the record. Let's go through that question again.
SUSAN
Ok, right, can do!
More polite chuckles, everyone relaxes again.
EXEC 1
So, Susan, biggest weakness--
EXEC 2
Not the stealing thing.
EXEC 1
--Go.
SUSAN
(thoughtful)
Ok. Biggest weakness, biggest weakness...
(then)
Well, I suppose, there's the farting.
EXEC 1 / EXEC 2
The--? / I beg your pardon--?
SUSAN
Yep. I fart. Like, a lot. That's a weakness, right? I mean, my GP can't figure it out. He thinks it might be my diet. I've tried different medications, done all these breathing exercises, still just, y'know, rip them out. Can't stop myself--!
EXEC 2
No, no, this isn't what we want to hear--Do-over! Another do-over!
SUSAN
Oh. Really? I'm giving you some pretty good weaknesses here.
EXEC 1
Susan, this interview has been going so well. Let's just...try a different answer to this one. A better one.
EXEC 2
Please.
EXEC 1
Biggest weakness. But nothing illegal. Or...disgusting.
SUSAN
Nothing illegal?
EXEC 2
Please no.
SUSAN
So I guess a bit of light embezzling isn't what you're looking for--
EXEC 1
Nope! Don't want to hear--! Just something, y'know, minor. A simple weakness.
Susan considers this in silence for a few moments.
SUSAN
I suppose...I have trouble letting things go.
The Execs glance at each other and breathe out, relieved.
EXEC 1
Ok. Perfect. So, like, you don't like delegating work? You need to stay involved in projects.
SUSAN
Yeah, sort of. Like, at my last job, I had a...thing with this sales rep. Pretty intense. Ended kinda badly, so I installed this little tracking program on his phone and followed him to the gym every morning to--
EXEC 2
Sorry, wait, so when you said you had trouble letting things go, you meant stalking? That's just stalking.
SUSAN
That still not what you're after?
EXEC 1
Obviously not!
EXEC 2
(deep sigh, then)
Look, Susan, we really want to offer you the position. Your CV is so strong, you're the best candidate by far, but...these answers.
SUSAN
I'm just trying to be honest.
(then, realising)
Oh, wait, there we go. I'm too honest!
EXEC 2
Ah, yep, that'll do--
SUSAN
Yep. Huge weakness. Like, when I was at university, I set up all these fake social media accounts, and then sent all these obscene messages to my friends telling them--
EXEC 1 / EXEC 2
Nope. / Exactly the same problem.
EXEC 1
Nothing illegal, nothing disgusting, no psychological torture or abusive trolling. Just...biggest weakness. Go.
A long pause. Susan wracks her brain. Then a lightbulb goes off. The Execs lean forward, hopefully.
SUSAN
(proudly)
Well, I guess, sometimes...I work too hard!
EXEC 1
Ok, get out.
The exec points to the door. Susan stands and exits. Moments later, both Execs recoil in disgust.
EXEC 2
Oh, god!
EXEC 1
She wasn't wrong about her diet!
THE END