FADE IN
EXT-FOODWORLD PARKING LOT-DAY
JEFFREY DAVIS, the young attractive 20 something asst
manager of the store, is rushing from his car toward the
entrance. ARON BILLINGS, a 19 year old stock clerk, rushes
up to his side and starts to talk.
ARON
I'm confused, so very, very confused!
It's morning, you're here, Dick....
JEFFREY
Richard!
ARON
Richard opened the store. Two
managers here in the morning, I'm
losing my mind
JEFFREY
(smiling)
Up in here
ARON
No that would be if I were about to
lose my mind. My friend it's
already gone. I hate this.
INT-FOOD WORLD-DAY
Aron and Jeffrey continue there walk inside. Once inside
Aron stops to block the "Wall Of Values"
ARON
Look at this! They're remodeling
our store. I can't take it.
JEFFREY
Calm down Aron. You knew when, Mr
Evert lost this place and the
corporation took over there would
be changes. Hey it could have been
worse bud, we could have all lost
our jobs and foreign people could
be here bagging groceries.
ARON
I know I just hate change.
JEFFREY
Walk me back to the time clock
Jeffrey and Aron head back toward aisle eight of the store.
JEFFREY
You have to admit though. Even in
it's rough stages the remodeling is
shaping up rather nicely. It makes
me feel pretty good about the
store....What the holy Hell!
Jeffrey and Aron stop dead in their tracks. Jeffrey looks up
and notices a deli meat display topped off by a 3-D deer
with a target diagram drawn on it's side depicting it's body
parts. There is an arrow right through it's heart, and a
sign that says "Hunters Special" on it. A mother and child
walk by, the mother has a look of disgust. Several other
customers walk by with looks of either confusion or shock
ARON
Am I alone here in thinking this is
terribly wrong
INT-FOODWORLD FRONT END-DAY
It's obvious the store is in the midst of morning rush. The
registers are labeled as followed. Register one is the
express, two is the first main register, three is the second
main, and three and four are empty. First we focas on
register three where an older cashier is ringing people up.
Normal "retail jargon" follows. Then we pan over to register
two where AMBER, a 30 year old cashier, is ringing up an
older, 60 something, woman with a huge 100 dollar some order.
Aron is coming back from the office with snuff in is hand.
He's singing as he approaches the register.
ARON
(singing)
All I want is your extra time and
your kiss.....think I better dance
now.
Aron hands the snuff to the customer
CUSTOMER
I said Timberwolf wintergreen!
ARON
I'm sorry hold on a sec
CUSTOMER
I was just wanting to make one
quick stop
Aron leaves to go exchange the snuff.
AMBER
I'm sorry about this.
CUSTOMER
oh it's ok, I just need to hurry
AMBER
we're in the middle of a remodel so
things are hectic
CUSTOMER
Unaware that was my problemAron
returns with another can of snuff
ARON
Here, oh wait this is Skoal
CUSTOMER
Oh gosh!
ARON
I'm sorry.
CUSTOMER
Are you guys color blind can't you
tell the difference between a green
and brown can.
ARON
Now wait a sec!
AMBER
Aron!
ARON
Have some freaking human compassion!
We're in the middle of a remodeling,
and I can tell by your expression
that means nothing to you. But put
yourself in our shoes for a sec. We
work our selves ragged for you the
customer and what do we get in
return, your constant abuse. You
need to realize that we are not
gods. We are just mere humans like
yourself.And I again reiterate we
are in the middle of a remodeling
to make things better for you.
Things are a mess right now so
please have some consideration for
us. Now do you need some help out?
CUSTOMER
Um....no I got it!
Customer leaves.
AMBER
You need to stop doing that!
ARON
Sorry I'm an emotional person
Suddenly the intercom goes off. LYNN, the 60 year old office
manager's voice can be heard
LYNN
(O.S.)
Richard intercom please! Richard!
We cut to the office where we see Lynn in the back on the
phone.
LYNN
We got this woman who got milk, at
you know the "W" store and she's
been walking all day. It got warm
and she wants to exchange for a
cold Foodworld 2% milk.
RICHARD
(O.S.)
Please tell me you aren't serious.
That you actually can't handle this
situation on your own
LYNN
Probably could, but she scares me.
RICHARD
(O.S.)
Hand her the phone
LYNN
Ok
Lynn walks over and hands the phone to CRAZY CUSTOMER ONE.
CRAZY CUSTOMER ONE
You don't understand, I have been
walking all day and my milk is warm.
All I'm asking for is one favor.
Don't you guys care about the
customers.
INT-RICHARD'S OFFICE-DAY
RICHARD
Are you for real? You have to be a
secret shopper, noone could be this
insane........mmm she hung up.
Richard hangs up the phone, and turns his chair to face
Jeffrey and PRISCILLA JENKINS, the 65 year old deli manager.
RICHARD
Anyway back to your vulgar
display.....
PRICILLA
What was vulgar about it?
JEFFREY
You had a dead dear, with a arrow
through it's heart on a sausage
display, pork sausage at that.
PRICILLA
First of all it wasn't a live dead
deer, it was a stuffed replica of
one. My husband works at the
wildlife refuge.
JEFFREY
That makes it all better.
RICHARD
Let me break it down for you. You
have ham salad on sale this week
right?
PRICILLA
yes.....
RICHARD
Well you wouldn't have a picture of
a pig getting ran through a grinder
on the sign promoting it would you?
PRICILLA
No, that would be sick
RICHARD
exactly.....now let's take down the
deer shall we?
PRICILLA
If I have to.
JEFFREY
You have to!
RICHARD
You're dismissed Priscilla.
PRICILLA
Can I have Aron help me take that
down?
RICHARD
Sure
Priscilla starts to leave the office.
JEFFREY
Bambi killer.
RICHARD
Could you stay in here for a second
Jeffrey?
JEFFREY
Sure.
RICHARD
I know you're supposed to work this
morning to cover the dairy/frozen
manager, but could you stay and
close?
JEFFREY
8 to close?
RICHARD
yes
JEFFREY
why?
RICHARD
Dallas quit.
Jeffrey's mouth drops.
JEFFREY
What?
RICHARD
Yeah he says he doesn't want to
leave us in a bind, but he needs
the day off to train.
JEFFREY
for?
RICHARD
Car salesmen.
JEFFREY
fitting for someone with his ethics.
RICHARD
He'S supposed to call me today to
let me know if he can finish out
the week.
JEFFREY
Now don't get me wrong, I'm very
loyal to the store. But why do I
have to stay all day.
RICHARD
I got to leave in a little bit for
a doctors appointment.
JEFFREY
Oh your leg?
RICHARD
Yeah I still believe that damn
district manager Bob dropped that
case on my leg on purpose.
JEFFREY
Well I guess I have a full day
ahead of me.
RICHARD
Uh yeah and that's not all.
JEFFREY
Oh?
RICHARD
James?
JEFFREY
Another no call, no show?
RICHARD
Yes
JEFFREY
what is this two now?
RICHARD
Yes sir.
(takes a sip of coffee)
I need you to fire him.
JEFFREY
what?!?
RICHARD
You're an asstaint manager you can
do that.
JEFFREY
He was my best friend I'm the one
who got him hired.
RICHARD
And how fitting you should be the
one to fire him.
JEFFREY
I can't do this.
RICHARD
you can and you will.
JEFFREY
Why can't you?
RICHARD
Little thing called going to the
doctor, and I want it done today.
JEFFREY
Listen I......
LYNN
(O.S.)
Jeffrey Davis to the office please!
RICHARD
Have to go to the office.
JEFFREY
yeah....
RICHARD
close the door on your way out.
JEFFREY LEAVES.
EXT-FOODWORLD SIDEWALK-DAY
Aron is outside gathering up carts. He spots this 6 year old
girl hanging outside in a full leather outfit.
ARON
Hey is your mommy around?
LEATHER GIRL
She's inside
ARON
Does she know where you're at?
LEATHER GIRL
Yes.
ARON
Um...ok
Aron pushes his carts inside
INT-FOODWORLD FRONT END-DAY
Amber walks up to Aron as he pushes the carts in.
AMBER
What's wrong?
ARON
Motherless little girl. Keep an eye
on her.
AMBER
Mother in the store?
ARON
So she says. I think she's a pre-
school prostitute, 6 year olds
should not be allowed to wear that
much leather.
AMBER
Did you give her a speech?
As Amber and Aron walk off we pan over to see ANN, Jeffrey's
girlfriend she's somewhere between 2 to 4 years older than
him. Jeffrey frantically walks up.
ANN
What's going on?
JEFFREY
Everything! Dallas quit.
ANN
Does this mean they're going to
move you up?
JEFFREY
You know I haven't even taken the
time to think about that yet. I'm
working till close tonight.
ANN
So I guess I won't get to see you
tonight.
JEFFREY
What about after work?
ANN
Inventory.
JEFFREY
Well that answers that question.
A DELI GIRL walks up
DELI GIRL
Jeff there's a customer wanting to
know if you have anymore of those
frozen pizzas that are on sale in
the back?
JEFFREY
Mmm let me see.....I'm walking
around the backroom....nope don't
see them. Tell her no.
DELI GIRL
It's a him.
JEFFREY
Then tell him no.
Deli girl walks off.
JEFFREY
I have to fire James.
ANN
So Richard finally decided to get
rid of him?
JEFFREY
Yeah. I just don't want to have to
be the one to do it. You know he's
going to hate me.
ANN
James is a brilliant guy, I'm sure
he saw this comming.
JEFFREY
I don't know, I just feel bad about
this. I worked my butt off to cover
up his shortcomings on the job.
Guess it wasn't good enough.
ANN
He did this to himself. You
shouldn't beat yourself up over it.
JEFFREY
Yeah I guess your....
AMBER
(O.S.)
Jeffrey could you come over here
for a second?
ANN
Busy guy.
JEFFREY
Yep.
ANN
I'll call you later on tonight
JEFFREY
Bye
Jeffrey runs his hand along her back as Ann walks out the
door. Jeffrey then walks over past the registers, where we
see Aron, Leather Girl, a MOTHER and Amber standing. It
appears Aron and the Mother is in the middle of a heated
argument.
MOTHER
What right do you have?
ARON
All I'm saying is no mother in her
right mind should let their daughter
go out in public like that.
JEFFREY
Hi m'am I'm the asstiant manager,
can I help you?
MOTHER
Yes your employee here started
giving my daughter a speech on how
she was dressed. Then he went on to
practically call her a whore!
JEFFREY
Aron?
ARON
I never said the "w" word, I don't
get vulgar with little girls.
Although judging by her dress I
gather she's heard worse.
MOTHER
You son of...
JEFFREY
M'am please....Aron go to Richard's
office and wait for me there.
ARON
My mom teaches parenting classes if
you'd like for me to get you her
number....
JEFFREY
Aron, go!
Aron walks away
JEFFREY
What can I do to appease you?
MOTHER
Can I speak to your owner?
JEFFREY
Well my general manager is here,
Richard Burks, if you'd like to
speak to him.
MOTHER
You don't have an owner?
JEFFREY
We were just recently, like in the
past week, taken over by the
corporation that owns the Foodworld
name.
MOTHER
I guess I will speak to your store
manager. Do you have a number for
the corporation?
JEFFREY
I'm sure he does. Amber
(motions to Amber)
could you escort her back to
Richard's office.
AMBER
Sure can Jeff. Follow me m'am.
The Mother follows Amber off screen. Jeffrey walks over to
the service center and turn to Lynn.
JEFFREY
What time is it?
LYNN
Barely even 9 yet.
JEFFREY
I was afraid of that. I haven't
even started frozen and dairy yet.
LYNN
Oh you're here till 10:30pm I think
you have plenty of time.
JEFFREY
Don't remind me.
INT-RICHARD'S OFFICE-DAY
Richard is sitting at his desk, Aron is at the chair across
from him.
RICHARD
Aron I don't know what is up with
you recently, and this habit of
moral stands you've been taking
with the customers, but this time
you've taken it a step too far.
What you did was a firable offense.
In the past I've let you get by
with more then I should have
because you're a good worker and
Mr Evert loved you. But we're
corporate now, like it or not, and
I can't keep covering your ass.
Aron you're probably the best
stockboy I have, that's why I won't
fire you. But good worker or not,
pull something like this again, and
I won't hesitate to fire you. I
won't continue to risk my job
covering up for you. I'm going to
write you up though. I'll have the
form ready for you to sign by the
end of your shift. That's about as
fair as I can be.
ARON
Ok.
RICHARD
You're dismissed Aron.
Intercom goes off
LYNN
(O.S.)
Jeffrey phone please, line 43.
ARON
I'm sorry Richard it won't happen
again
RICHARD
I hope not.
Aron opens the door and walks out. We then see Jeffrey
rushing by the door. We follow him as he heads back to the
dairy office to use the phone.
INT-DAIRY OFFICE-DAY
JEFFREY
This is Jeffrey Davis can I help you?
JAMES
(O.S.)
Hey Jeff so how much trouble am I in?
JEFFREY
James?
JAMES
Yeah what's up?
JEFFREY
Um....can you hold for a second?
JAMES
Sure.
Jeffrey pushes a few buttons on the phone
JEFFREY
Lynn there's a phone call for
Richard on 43
LYNN
(O.S.)
Richard phone call on 43
Jeffrey slowly hangs up the phone, then stares off in to
space for a second.
INT-FOODWORLD DAIRY CASE-DAY
Richard approaches the dairy case, where Jeffrey is filling
milk
RICHARD
Couldn't do it huh?
JEFFREY
But you could, and did?
RICHARD
Yes. He gave me a few lame excuses
about how he didn't think he had to
work, but it didn't fly with me.
JEFFREY
You had to have known I wouldn't
have done it.
RICHARD
Yes but part of being in management
is drawing that line between
friendship and employee. I think I
had to learn that with Aron.
JEFFREY
Yeah he told me you wrote him up.
RICHARD
Yeah, it wasn't easy.
JEFFREY
I guess now would be a bad time to
discuss the open co-managers spot
RICHARD
Jeffrey, he isn't officially gone
yet.
JEFFREY
I know, I'm sorry.
RICHARD
We'll discuss in due time.
JEFFREY
Alrighty
RICHARD
Well I got work to finish up if I
want to be able to head out of here.
JEFFREY
I got work to stretch out, since
I'm here all day.
Richard pats Jeffrey on the back as he walks off.
INT-RICHARDS OFFICE-NIGHT
It's apparent it's much later. Richards has gone for the day.
Jeffrey is in the back office with the stuffed dear from
earlier. This time the dear has "murderer" spray painted on
it in red letters. He's on the phone with Ann. The scene
bounces back and forth between Ann's workplace and the office.
ANN
So who do you have for your evening
shift?
JEFFREY
Tina in the office, Gay Ginger on
register. Shane is closing stock,
and floor guy comes tonight.
ANN
Gay Ginger, Floor Guy.....jeesh.
You and giving people titles. You
ok about James?
JEFFREY
Yeah I think I'm going to give him
a call.
ANN
I think he understands why this
happened.
JEFFREY
Yeah I figure we'll work it out.
ANN
Oh what about co-manager?
JEFFREY
I think I'm going to put my bid in
for it.
ANN
I think you deserve it.
JEFFREY
Well I don't exactly think so, but
I'm going to anyway.
ANN
Well I think so.
JEFFREY
Well dear I have a store to close,
I'll call you when I get home.
ANN
Love you.
JEFFREY
Love you too.
ANN
Bye
JEFFREY
Bye
Jeffrey hangs up the phone, he turns to the deer.
JEFFREY
We've had quite a day buddy.
Jeffrey pats the deer on the head as the scene ends.
INT-FOODWORLD FRONT END-NIGHT
It's the end of the day and everyone is leaving. GINGER, a
cashier is gathering her stuff up. TINA, the office girl is
standing by the door. SHANE, a stock clerk is heading up
front. Jeffrey is by the front door.
TINA
So is Ginger's drawer ok?
GINGER
They're not going to yell at me for
being 10 dollars over are they
JEFFREY
Hell no, you stole 10 bucks from
the customers and put in right in
the store's pocket. If anything
you're employee of the month.
SHANE
Dude I'm out.
JEFFREY
Alright Shane catch you tomorrow.
Shane leaves
TINA
Going over to Ann's tonight?
JEFFREY
No she's got inventory.
TINA
Let me ask you a question. Does she
know you've slept with half the
female employee's here?
JEFFREY
First of all that was during the
pre-Ann stage of my life. And
second it wasn't nearly that many
employees
GINGER
Yeah he didn't go all the way with
me.
JEFFREY
Just because you started batting
for the other side
GINGER
(holding up three fingers)
Pick a finger hun
JEFFREY
Let me ask you a question. Do you
think I'm a good manager?
GINGER
You're good to me
TINA
I think you've matured as a manager.
You started out a drug dealer
before you started here. Was a
womanizer, slept with half your
employees
(Jeffrey coughs)
. But I think you've grown into
your job. Alot of that you can
attribute to Ann.
JEFFREY
Yeah watching her managerial style,
makes me pale in comparison.
TINA
Well I'm taking Ginge home. You
leaving?
JEFFREY
No, I have a deer to set free.
TINA
Well catch you later.
GINGER
See you tomorrow Jeffrey
JEFFREY
Bye Ginge
Ginger and Tina leave. Jeffrey locks up
EXT-FOODWORLD BACKDOCK-NIGHT
Jeffrey is throwing the deer away. When he suddenly see's
headlights. He hears what sounds like a car. A truck pulls
up and Jeffrey jumps down by the trailer that's by the dock.
Aron gets out rushes to a portable freezer and pulls out a
trash bag. Jeffrey pops out.
JEFFREY
Gathering up some trash?
ARON
Dear God......
Jeffery walks over opens up the bag and pulls out one of
what appears to be several 12 packs of beer. Jeffrey then
puts it back in bag.
ARON
Shane puts it out here. Then I come
back to get it and we split it
later. I don't think you fathom
half of what's going on with me Jeff.
JEFFREY
Richard has been noticing shortages
in the beer case. Hopefully we'll
be able to catch whoever has been
stealing beer once Richard starts
inventorying the beer case. It's
going to be a daily thing starting
tomorrow. Anyway I'll take care of
your bag of trash Aron.
ARON
What?
JEFFREY
Your bag of trash Aron?
ARON
Oh
(Aron hands him the bag)
JEFFREY
See you at work tomorrow.
ARON
Thank you
JEFFREY
See you at work tomorrow.
ARON
yeah......
Aron goes and gets in his truck. As he drives off and his
headlights shine up on Jeffrey, we see Jeffrey just standing
there holding the trash bag. He looks solemn as Aron drives
off, and the camera pans out.
FADE OUT.
