“TROUBLE AT THE OFFICE”
A Romance Screenplay
By Rugby Café Writers
This is our Writing Project for the first part of 2021. It’s a Film Script in the Romance genre. Once it is finished, we are going to try to film it with real actors. Each part will be written by a different member of the Rugby Cafe Writers. Apart from Lindsay, none of us has ever tried script-writing before, so it will be a new experience!
Part 1 by Lindsay Woodward
EXT. OFFICE CAR PARK. MORNING.
RACHEL SMITH, 32, steps out of her mid-range car, weighed down with her handbag and laptop bag. She’s very pretty and well presented in nice clothes, never looking anything but immaculate.
The car park sits beside a large office block. It’s packed with cars, but there is no other person in sight.
Rachel walks confidently in her pristine stilettos to the entrance of the building. It’s not a grand entrance, and the building isn’t particularly new, but it all seems well looked after.
INT. RECEPTION. MORNING.
Rachel enters the cosy reception. To the left there is a staircase that leads to the upstairs offices. Next to that is the reception desk where CHARLOTTE, the 21 year old mousey receptionist sits, hidden by the oversized reception desk.
Towards the back of the carpeted area there are two doors. One leads to the meetings rooms and some other offices, and the other leads directly to the shop floor.
On the wall opposite the reception desk is a large TV screen hosting a rolling corporate video. It catches Rachel’s eye and she watches three slides of the presentation:
- The red and white corporate branding shoots across the screen and the words “Welcome to WLF Interiors” appear
- Those words dissolve away and new words appear saying “A family run business since 1905 manufacturing high quality furniture and market-leading upholstery”
- A picture of a fancy leather sofa and a Chesterfield armchair appear next to the words “Still 100% British-made from our manufacturing site in Rugby, Warwickshire”
RACHEL (pointing to the screen)
Why is the old logo still on here?
Rachel turns to glare at Charlotte who just shrugs nervously.
RACHEL
I gave you the USB to update this video a week ago. Why haven’t you done it yet?
CHARLOTTE
I didn’t know how.
RACHEL
And you didn’t think to ask?
Loud steps are heard bounding down the staircase and JASMINE DAVIES, 29, appears. She’s sporting a very large smile. She’s always full of beans, and is the trendsetter of the office, wearing nothing but the latest fashion.
Jasmine approaches Rachel with a skip in her step.
JASMINE
Rach, am I glad to see you. I could burst with excitement. You’ll never guess what?
RACHEL
Morning to you too, Jasmine.
JASMINE
You’re the only other single girl here. No one else understands.
RACHEL
What is it?
JASMINE
The new Marketing Director has started, and he’s absolutely gorgeous.
RACHEL
What?
JASMINE
We finally have some talent in the office!
RACHEL
You know we’re here to work, right?
JASMINE
Don’t be so boring. You have to come and look at him.
Jasmine grabs Rachel’s hand and leads her towards the door at the back of the reception that hides the meeting rooms.
INT. CORRIDOR. MORNING
Jasmine and Rachel slyly enter the corridor. There are closed doors on either side all the way down, but Jasmine stops at the first door and pokes her head just to the side of it to look through the large glass window.
Through the glass there are a number of tables pushed together, surrounded by chairs. It’s clearly a meeting room, but only one man working on a laptop can be seen.
BRAD JONES, 35, is sitting towards the end of the room, focused intently on the laptop before him. He’s dressed sharply in a tailored suit, and he is indeed gorgeous with not one strand of his perfectly gelled hair out of place.
Rachel steps beside Jasmine to take a sneak peek. As soon as her eyes fall on Brad she gasps. She turns quickly on her heels.
INT. RECEPTION. MORNING.
Rachel storms back into the reception area. She paces around with grave concern.
Jasmine runs after her.
JASMINE
What is it?
RACHEL
He’s the new Marketing Director?
JASMINE
Yes.
RACHEL
You’re sure?
JASMINE
Yes. I introduced myself to him when I made coffee this morning.
RACHEL
Did he say his name was Brad Jones?
JASMINE
He said his name was Brad. You know him?
Rachel mutters profanities under her breath as she paces around some more.
JASMINE
Do you not like him? He seemed really nice.
RACHEL
Oh yes. He’s the best.
JASMINE
What’s the matter?
Rachel stops pacing. She approaches Jasmine and drops her voice.
RACHEL
Do you remember I said that I used to have a crush on my old boss?
JASMINE
Yes.
RACHEL
Brad Jones was my old boss. I worked with him for six months and spent every minute totally besotted with him. Then one night we went out for team drinks and him and I ended up being the last two left. We got talking, I let it slip that I like him, and before I know it we’re kissing. It was one of those mind-blowing kisses; you know the sort that you fantasise about.
JASMINE
You never told me that.
RACHEL
Because the very next day he called me into his office to tell me I’m being made redundant. I haven’t seen him since. Until about thirty seconds ago.
JASMINE
Let me get this right. Our new boss is your old boss that you’re still insanely in love with, a man that you eventually confessed your feelings to, only for him to instantly make you redundant?
RACHEL
That about sums it up.
JASMINE
Well, this should be fun. We’ve got a team meeting in thirty minutes.
To be continued.
Part Two by Bella Osborne
RACHEL
Then I need caffeine and lots of it.
EXT. COFFEE SHOP. MORNING.
Standard coffee shop chain outlet. Small with some seating. Few people. No queue. Rachel’s usual apron-clad young male Barista is serving. Rachel approaches the smiling Barista.
BARISTA
You’re early, Rachel. Usual?
RACHEL
Size me up, please. And a …
She gestures at Jasmine to give her order.
JASMINE
Just a chocolate croissant, please.
BARISTA
Sure thing.
JASMINE
This is so romantic. The love of your life has turned up here. It’s actually fate.
RACHEL
It’s actually a nightmare.
JASMINE
But you still have feelings for him. Don’t you?
RACHEL
Oh yeah! Murderous ones. I was on my way up in that company until he made me redundant. That’s how little he thought of me. Of my potential. I had to start again, at the bottom, all because of him.
JASMINE
That’s just business. It’s not personal.
RACHEL
He snogged me the night before. That’s personal. Oh My God. I snogged him. This is so embarrassing.
JASMINE
You only kissed him. It’s not like you pole-danced topless around the lamppost outside his house, now is it?
RACHEL
No. Was the topless pole dancing you?
JASMINE
No… I was wearing a bra.
BARISTA
Rachel!
RACHEL
Thanks.
Rachel takes her drink and a bag containing Jasmine’s croissant. They both leave the shop.
EXT. CROSSING ROAD. MORNING.
Edge of town. Row of shops behind. Few cars passing by. Rachel is not paying attention. Steps into road. Car screeches to a halt. Jasmine waves apologies at the irate driver.
JASMINE
Rachel!
Rachel turns around. Jasmine crosses the road.
RACHEL
Sorry.
Rachel still unaware of the car hands Jasmine the bag containing her croissant.
JASMINE
So what are you going to do?
Irate driver speeds away still gesticulating in the background.
RACHEL
I am going to show bloody Brad Jones what a huge mistake he made by letting me go.
JASMINE
From the job or romantically?
RACHEL
Both.
INT. CORRIDOR. MORNING.
Rachel and Jasmine are outside the meeting room door. Rachel is pacing with her bag on the same wrist of the hand which is holding her large coffee.
Jasmine checks her watch.
JASMINE
I think we should go in.
RACHEL
I just need to make sure I have an answer for every possible thing he could throw at me.
Rachel stops pacing. Stands in front of Jasmine.
RACHEL
Do I look like a strong independent woman who has risen to the rank of Sales Director?
JASMINE
You’ve got lipstick on your teeth.
RACHEL
Bugger it.
Rachel rubs a finger over her teeth and bares them for Jasmine to inspect.
JASMINE
Better.
Ready?
RACHEL
Let battle commence.
Jasmine holds open the meeting room door for Rachel to walk in. As Rachel steps forward Brad is coming out of the room. They don’t collide but it’s a near miss.
BRAD
Hi. I’m Brad Jones.
RACHEL
I’m Rachel Smith.
They shake hands.
BRAD
Nice to meet you Rachel.
RACHEL
Nice to see you again Brad.
BRAD
Oh, I’m sorry. Have we met? Did you get my coffee this morning?
JASMINE
That was me. I’m Jasmine.
BRAD
Thanks, Jasmine. Great coffee.
Rachel coughs.
BRAD
I look forward to getting to know you, Rachel.
RACHEL
You do know me!
Rachel laughs awkwardly. Brad looks confused. Rachel looks cross.
RACHEL
Rachel. Rachel Smith. From Bendall and Mason’s.
BRAD
Right. Okay.
RACHEL
You really don’t remember?
BRAD
Sorry. No. Wait. Did you work in the factory?
Rachel is stunned that he doesn’t appear to recognise her. In her haste to go past him into the meeting room she catches the arm of her bag on the door handle and tips the contents of the coffee over herself. Rachel lets out a squeal of surprise.
RACHEL
Shit!
To be continued
Here is a link to the 2020 Writing Project, Thrapston Mansions.
