Run 

A Comedy-Thriller set to the preppy banger “Run” by Vampire Weekend.

Screenplay by Chris A. Miele

INT. OFFICE – DAY

THE BOSS, a cocky, well-dressed man, walks down a HALLWAY leading to THE OFFICE. In his arm is non-descript PAPERWORK. 

TERRANCE, a tired Office Worker, eats a sad LUNCH within his stereotypical OFFICE CUBICLE. His life consists of clocking in at nine and waiting until it’s five. 

THE BOSS enters THE OFFICE. THE BOSS flings the PAPERWORK onto TERRANCE’S DESK. THE BOSS’s arrogant lunchtime interruption shocks TERRANCE. His SHOCK quickly turns to MALICE. 

TERRANCE’s mind conjures a daydream of REVENGE.

WE ENTER THE FANTASY WITH HIM.

A CHASE BEGINS – A DREAMY SHEEN COATS EACH IMAGE. HERE LIVES VIOLENT COLORS AND EXAGGERATED EMOTIONS. WE ARE IN A GIALLO DREAM WORLD.

This reality-to-dream transition is marked by the intro of the song “Run” by Vampire Weekend.

INT. PARKING GARAGE I – NIGHT

THE BOSS saunters into PARKING GARAGE I holding KEYS. He’s trying to find where his Driver parked the car. THE FIGURE, a masked and threatening presence, suddenly appears in the PARKING GARAGE ENTRANCE. THE BOSS does not notice THE FIGURE looming close behind.

AS THE ACTION PLAYS OUT we continually CUT TO TERRANCE lip-syncing “Run” in his STEREOTYPICAL OFFICE CUBICLE.

THE BOSS catches a sense of THE FIGURE behind him. THE BOSS turns around to face his fear. 

THE BOSS is made nervous by THE FIGURE’s presence. THE FIGURE creeps toward THE BOSS. Frightened, THE BOSS turns around and runs.

THE BOSS is chased from out of PARKING GARAGE I and toward THE OFFICE BUILDING. THE FIGURE disappears mid-chase. THE BOSS enters THE OFFICE BUILDING.

THE BOSS stands alone. He is out of breath. 

Before THE BOSS can fill his lungs, THE FIGURE appears next to him. THE BOSS is shocked and runs toward THE STAIRWAY.

THE BOSS runs UPSTAIRS and catches a breather on a WAITING ROOM COUCH.

THE BOSS stares forward. He’s processing what he just experienced. THE FIGURE appears at the end of THE SECOND FLOOR HALLWAY. THE FIGURE jumps in and out of the dream’s reality.

THE CHASE continues.

THE BOSS runs back the way he came. THE FIGURE chases after him. Meanwhile, TERRANCE rocks out to Vampire Weekend’s “Run” in the sober reality of the CUBICLE. 

THE BOSS hits a dead end on THE FIRST FLOOR. THE FIGURE begins appearing and reappearing. THE FIGURE grabs THE BOSS before he can scream.

THE FIGURE drags THE BOSS into a chair. THE BOSS squirms in fear. This is torture.

THE FIGURE holds up a ROLL OF DUCT TAPE. 

BACK IN REALITY: TERRANCE cheers on THE FIGURE.

In a split second of bravery, THE BOSS knocks THE FIGURE back and escapes the chair.

TERRANCE looks shocked at what just happened in his own head. That wasn’t supposed to happen! 

THE BOSS goes out THE EXIT. 

Logic breaks down as THE CHASE FANTASY goes from GIALLO to SCOOBY-DOO. The STEADY CHASE turns into a MONTAGE of different locations around THE OFFICE BUILDING.

THE BOSS and THE FIGURE pop out from behind nearby trees. 

THE BOSS hides behind a corner. THE FIGURE pokes him on the shoulder.

THE BOSS peaks through a WINDOW, down a HALLWAY, and along the stairs.

Did he lose THE FIGURE?

With a false sense of safety, THE BOSS stops for a sip from a WATER FOUNTAIN. 

In the FINAL SHOT of this FANTASY, THE FIGURE appears behind THE BOSS and takes him through a doorway. We’re left assuming the FANTASY’s version of THE BOSS is toast!  

BACK TO REALITY

TERRANCE is post-lunch napping in his CUBICLE.

MORE PAPERWORK drops on TERRANCE’s DESK. The office drone is SHOCKED back into REALITY. 

But, with MORE PAPERWORK comes MORE FANTASIZING as we see TERRANCE go back into his world of SCHADENFREUDE. “Run” by Vampire Weekend starts from the top.

FADE OUT.

ALTERNATE ENDING

TERRANCE is brought back to REALITY by the slam of MORE PAPERWORK. Shaken to his core, TERRANCE looks up from his desk. It’s THE FIGURE who delivered MORE PAPERWORK. Looks like THE FIGURE is his boss now. This doesn’t scare TERRANCE as much as it annoys him. 

The office drone slips into a new daydream. “Run” starts from the top.

INT. PARKING GARAGE I – NIGHT

In the same FANTASY as before, THE FIGURE takes THE BOSS’s place. THE FIGURE saunters into PARKING GARAGE I holding KEYS. TERRANCE, an office worker with a threatening presence, appears in the PARKING GARAGE ENTRANCE. THE FIGURE does not notice TERRANCE looming close behind.

THE FIGURE catches a sense of TERRANCE behind him. THE FIGURE looks straight at the audience. His EYES widened with fear.

FADE OUT