"The Interview" (a screenplay)

1    INT. LOBBY – EARLY MORNING

Christina, mid-twenties, sits alone on a leather sofa. She seems rigidly tense, but is absorbed in a game on her smart phone. A door clicks open, startling her, and she rises nervously as Tobias enters.

CHRISTINA

Listen, I’ve been thinking, and I really don’t think I need to do this.

TOBIAS

(interrupting)

You need to do this, Chris. There are options and then there are requirements. This is a requirement.

CHRISTINA

(walking to the window, fiddling with the phone, agitated)

I don’t get all these stupid rules. Aren’t there enough already, out there? Why here, too?

TOBIAS

(leaning calmly against the wall)

It’s everywhere, you know. There is always something. Life would just fall apart if they took it away. You don’t have to believe in it, you don’t even have to like it, but... well, time’s up. Do you have your portfolio?

CHRISTINA

(retrieving a small black folder from the couch)

I pieced it together last night. At first I thought hand-written was best, but then I started typing, but then I typed too much. So I started cutting things. It’s not much. It’s not enough!

TOBIAS

(putting a comforting hand on her shoulder)

You have done plenty, my friend. Your record will speak for itself. Now, it truly is time.

CHRISTINA

(looking towards the other door with trepidation)

How do we do this? I mean, will you come with me?

TOBIAS

Of course.

2    INT. WIDE SHOT – A LONG HALLWAY

The hallway is richly carpeted and wallpapered, lit by ornate sconces. A dozen uniformly sized and framed portraits line the wall. They all seem to be glaring sternly. Christina enters first, clutching the portfolio against her chest with both arms. Tobias walks a step behind her, keeping pace. When she pauses halfway down the hall to look back, he pauses as well but does not react. They continue until they reach the door at the far end.

CHRISTINA

I wish the walk were longer.

TOBIAS

(sympathetically)

No, you really do not. Already the sun is setting out there. Birds are flying south for the winter. And your phone is obsolete.

CHRISTINA

(after a brief, nervous laugh at the phone comment, she hands the device to him for safekeeping)

Help me, Tobias. I’m nobody yet. He will SEE that.

TOBIAS

(waving away her fear)

Like we practiced before, look him in the eye, arms straight at your side, and tell him who you are.

CHRISTINA

(following Tobias’s suggestion, she gathers herself up, and opens the door)

3    INT. WIDE SHOT – A WALL WITH A DOOR

We see Christina enter from the perspective of someone sitting at a desk. The room is brightly lit and featureless. The door softly shuts behind her, as if on a pneumatic hinge, as she approaches the camera.

CHRISTINA

(wide-eyed but stoic)

Hello, my name is Christina Blanchard. I was born in Union City...