Behind Closed Doors

A large white room. A mahogany desk sits along the far wall with two leather chairs (Behind and in front of the desk, respectively). The desktop is empty except for a marble Ashtray. ‘The Boss’ is sitting behind it smoking a cigarette, an annoyed impatience plays across his face. He twirls the ashtray with his free hand clockwise rapidly. He stops. Begins the motion counter clockwise. Stops. Arthur is laid out on the floor, a Bowler hat clutched in his hands. His breathing is raspy and uneven. The Boss, growing increasingly irritable, gives the desk a sharp rap with his knuckles that bounces off the walls of the empty room… Arthur stirs and sits up, rubbing his chest.

Arthur: What happened?

The Boss: From what I can tell, Jack gave you the once over. [He takes a long pull of  his cigarette and puts it out in the ashtray which he then slides to the corner of the desk, exhales, and continues] May I ask what you said to him?

Arthur: The bugger kicked me down a flight of stairs, do you think anything I said gave him that right?

The Boss: If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine but I know Jack… [Pauses] You, not so much.

Arthur: [Annoyed] So?

The Boss: So, people have a tendency to step out of line at times. Jack has a tendency to take it personal. Maybe that’s what happened, maybe not, but if you don’t want to talk about it, don’t look for sympathy here.

Arthur: [Arthur ponders this] Good point. [He pushes up from the floor and brushes his suit jacket off vigorously]

The Boss: I’ve been known to make them.  [He stands] Do you want to reschedule? I don’t think you’re in the best position to interview right now.

Arthur: [Straightens his back and walks over to the desk, limping slightly] Am I promised a future interview?

The Boss: [Curtly] No.

Arthur: Didn’t think so. I think we’d better get on with this now then. [Extends his hand which The Boss shakes firmly] I’m Arthur.

The Boss: Jerrald. Have a seat. [Arthur sits. The Boss sits. He reaches into a drawer of his desk, rummages around briefly before pulling out a pack of cigarettes] Smoke?

Arthur: No, thank you.

The Boss: Do you mind if I? [He shakes the box softly]

Arthur: [Sternly] I have to say, I do.

The Boss: [Stares at Arthur impressed before opening the drawer again, tossing the cigarettes inside and shutting it with a snap] Ok… So Arthur, I know we met briefly a couple of weeks ago and I’ll admit to being excited after we parted ways.

Arthur: [Straightens his back, crosses his legs] I’m glad to hear it.

The Boss: I do want to make sure you know what you’re getting into, however. [His chair swivels 180 degrees so that the back is facing Arthur] I’ve been thinking more and more about my future.

Arthur: So you’ve told me. What about it in particular?

The Boss: [He hesitates, breathes deeply, responds] Well, if I’m being honest… I don’t feel like I’ve lived up to my potential, if that makes sense. I don’t know… I’d like to think I’m prone to self evaluation and I’ve never looked at my life as anything to be bothered by but [He hesitates, begins locking a patch of his hair in absent minded contemplation] I don’t know… You hit 30—

Arthur: [Smiling] And 30 hits back. I understand.

The Boss: You do? Good, then that saves us a lot of the preamble here. Listen, [His chair swivels 180 degrees once more. He leans in, both elbows on the table] I’m about to embark on a journey and I need someone like… [Hesitates briefly] no, I need you.

Arthur: [Twirls his Bowler hat clockwise in his right hand. Stops. Counterclockwise. Stops. He is mulling this honest admission over] I’m sorry, what exactly do you need from me?

The Boss: To be succinct? Guidance.

Arthur: You’re going to have to be a bit more detailed than that, Mate.

The Boss: [Annoyed] I’m not where I want to be and I want help getting there.

Arthur: [Begins twirling Bowler Hat once more] Jack and Freddy seem more than capable.

The Boss: [Irritated] Freddy can’t see past his paintings. He lacks real world know how.

Arthur: And Jack?

The Boss: Jack can’t see past himself. He’s too reactionary.

Arthur: [Places his Bowler on the table] Then why keep him around?

The Boss: [Grabs another tuft of hair. Repeats the locking process] Loyalty. The guy’ll pull the trigger on command and take a bullet without complaint.

Arthur: Seems like the kind of guy you’d need if you were trying to change the world.

The Boss: [Rises from his seat and begins pacing absentmindedly] Maybe… but he’s kind of the guy you need if you’re trying to burn it down, too. I’m done burning it down. I need someone with vision. How’d you phrase it? Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow?

Arthur: [Chuckles softly] You remembered that?

[There is a loud crash heard off scene. Muffled voices trade words back and forth rapidly. Both men stare at the door intently for a few seconds before The Boss continues]

The Boss: I can’t forget. I said it to Jack when I told him about your interview. [Arthur tenses up but says nothing] He stands there fuming as if thinking about the future was eating him alive.

Arthur: That explains it.

The Boss: What exactly?

Arthur: [Follows ‘The Boss’ Nervously with his eyes. He leans forward towards the table, raises his hand as if to make a point but stops himself. Instead, he reaches for his Bowler hat, picks it up and begins spinning it clockwise once more] Nothing.

The Boss: [Stops pacing. Stares knowingly at Arthur. Returns to his desk. He pulls his chair out and pushes it off to the side. He leans in, both hands on the desk in preparation to speak. There is a sharp knock on the door. The Boss turns his head in it’s direction and speaks while staring at it] So, let’s talk about your role more specific-- [There is another knock. Louder, more rapid, more urgent. The Boss continues annoyed] more specifically. First and most important-- [Four booming knocks strike the door so loudly the sound startles Arthur who drops his Bowler] Oh come on already! [Towards the door] Come in!

[Jack enters the room, staring at both men contemptuously but says nothing. He strolls over to The Boss’s desk, opens the drawer containing the pack of cigarettes familiarly and lights one. He swings The Boss’s chair around comfortably and sits down]

The Boss: [Angrily] What do you want Jack?

[Before Jack can respond, Freddy strolls into the room, stopping just inside the entrance. There is a mixture of worry and sadness on his face. There is a deep puncture wound on his left hand that he massages nervously as he speaks]

Freddy: [Hesitantly]... Boss. We have something to tell you.

Jack: No, Freddy has something to tell you. I’m here for the Marching orders. [Turning to Arthur] Hey Artie, how’s your chest?

Arthur: [Defiantly] It’s been worse.

The Boss: Jack, knock it off. You two need to leave. Now.

Freddy: [Sheepishly] But Boss-- [The Boss cuts him off]

The Boss: [Sternly] Now, Freddy.

Freddy: Jerrald… I have something to tell you.

Jack: [Smirking] I’d suggest you sit for this one ‘Boss’ but seeing as how I’d like the best seat in the house, you’re going to have to stand.

Freddy: Shut up, Jack.

Jack: Nobody in this room can make me Fre--

The Boss: [Angrily] Shut. Up. Jack. [Jack reluctantly falls silent. Ashes his cigarette in the ashtray. He begins twirling it clockwise] What is it Federico?

Freddy: [Looks at Arthur reluctantly as if he’s not sure what needs to be said should be voiced in this stranger’s company. He strolls across the room and whispers in The Boss’s ear. The Boss’s face contorts from curiosity, to shock, to anger before settling on sadness. Jack stares up at him intently. Stops spinning the ashtray. Ashes the cigarette.]

The Boss: You’re lying.

Jack: He’s not.

The Boss: How do you know?

Jack and Freddy in unison: Because we know.

The Boss: [Strolls over to the far corner of the room. Flops down unceremoniously in the corner. He places his arms on his knees, interlocks his fingers and begins twiddling his thumbs rapidly. Clockwise, stop. Counterclockwise, stop. When he speaks, it is softly at first but his voice rises louder and louder until he is screaming] Ok… Ok… I can handle this, I can handle this, I can handle this, I can handle this, I can’t handle this, I can’t handle this, I can’t handle this!

[Jack stands up and walks over to The Boss. He shoots a look at Freddy who follows suit. Arthur watches The Boss’s breakdown with shocked curiosity but says nothing]

Jack: [Authoritatively] Fred, you know what we need to do.

Freddy: [Softly] Don’t call me ‘Fred,’ but yes I know. The cars already warming up.

The Boss: No.

Jack: Excuse me?

The Boss: [Rising from the floor] I said no. I know what you’re thinking and that’s the very last thing I want.

Jack: [Jack stares at the Boss fuming and speaks, anger tattooing every word] It’s the last thing that you want? That you want? How many times have I got to say I told you so? How many times do you need to fail before you get it? How stupid can you-- [The Boss swings, connecting with Jack’s jaw who collapses in a heap]

The Boss: Don’t call me stupid. Now as I was saying. That’s not what we’re going to do. Freddy, you said the car was warming up?

Freddy: It is.

The Boss: Good. Jack, when you’re done down there, I need you to find a few shovels. [Jack glares up at The Boss massaging his jaw but says nothing] Federico, in Jack’s space out there, under his chair, there’s a small compartment. In it, there’s a silver box about as big as my fist. Take it down to the car please and wait for us. [He turns to Arthur who is still watching this scene unfold incredulously] Arthur, I apologize… You’ve had a hell of a time getting here and I know these two guys put you through the ringer for what seems like nothing but this interview is over. The job is yours. I know things seem a bit crazy right now but I was serious about changing the world and equally serious about you being the guy to assist. [He hesitates] If you want it.

Arthur: [Twirls his Bowler counterclockwise, stops. Clockwise, stops. He surveys the scene carefully, rises from his chair and places the Bowler on his head. He looks down at Jack, then up at The Boss] Can I think on it?

The Boss: [Curtly] No. You’ll just have to trust that with your help, I’ll get to where I want to be and I never forget who helped put me there but if you’re with this thing of ours then you’re all the way with us.

Arthur: [Stares at The Boss for a few seconds before smirking] In for a penny, eh?

The Boss: [Smiling] In for a pound.

Arthur: Fine. I’m in. [He strides across the room and shakes The Boss’s hand] When do I start?

The Boss: Tomorrow. I have to take care of something tonight. Welcome aboard, Arthur. [He places his hand on Arthur’s shoulder and smiles] Seriously.

Arthur: Happy to be here. [He strides towards the door, turns the knob and opens it. Before stepping out, he turns back to the two men in the room] Jack, it’s nice to see you can take as good as you can give. Tomorrow, Boss.

The Boss: And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

[Arthur Exits]

*Fade to Black*