The Copier Room: A Temp's Worst Nightmare
Open on a copier room. TONY bumps into MARY as he enters, and MARY is leaving.
MARY: What are you doing here?
TONY: I just wanted to burn off a few copies of my resume before I leave tonight, is that OK?
MARY: Oh, sure, I'm sure Mr. Dunn won't mind.
MARY has a 'You loser' look on her face as she exits. TONY starts to fiddle with the copier, and has the following problems with it as he looks to the future in his mind: 1) He places his paper on the glass, closes the lid, presses the start button. The copier jams, he opens the door to the copier and looks for the jam.
2) Tony finds the paper jam, and cleans it. This time he tries the paper feeder, presses the start button. Again a paper jam.
3) He cleans the jam, puts the original back on the glass, presses the Start button, and gets the message, 'Two sided copies, replace original". He presses the one-sided copies button.
4) He presses the Start button, and gets the following message, 'Tray one out of paper'. He starts looking through the cupboards for the reams of paper.
5) He finds his original, tries to open the paper tray, but it won't open, he starts looking for the release button, finds it, presses it, the tray releases, he puts two reams of paper in it. He is starting to go from stunned to frustrated. He closes the tray, puts his original on the glass, closes the lid, presses the start button, he gets a copy on legal paper, he wanted letter size.
During this sequence of trying to make copies, TONY has the following flashes into the future: Loud party at some hip nightclub, crowded dance floor, A good looking lady asks TONY what he does for a living. TONY replies, "I'm temping right now." A big 'L' appears on his forehead.
Back to his copier troubles, then ... An employment office, where TONY is meeting with an employment counselor ...
COUNSELOR: We have several positions at a major fast food chain available, or you can always apply for a position with the Post Office. Tell me, do you like fries?
TONY: Yes, I do, but I still owe money to Sallie Mae.
COUNSELOR starts laughing uproariously
Pointing to the janitor who has just entered the room: So does he!
TONY: What was your major?
JANITOR: Business Accounting.
COUNSELOR: What was yours?
TONY: English.
COUNSELOR falls to the floor laughing.
JANITOR: And I thought I had problems.
Again CUT back to TONY's copier problems.
BRENDA enters and places a few sheets of paper through the paper shredder
BRENDA: Sorry to hear you're leaving Tony, have you decided what you're going to go into, yet?
TONY is too busy with the copier. BRENDA exits before hearing an answer, or even caring what his answer will be.
Another 'flash' ...
TONY as an old man, with an older couple sitting in front of him with their backs to us.
TONY: I've finally found a new job!
CUT to the older couple, who turn out to be his parents.
MOTHER
Does that mean you'll be moving out soon?
CUT back to TONY and his copier problems. Someone enters.
SOMEONE: Are you done, yet?"
TONY gets his original, slams down the lid, then wakes from his nightmare ...
