EXT. SAVANNAH CONTRACTING - DAY
(Adagio movement, Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Continuo #3, JS Bach)
TERRY looks at his watch, then at the sign over the door. He looks troubled. Enters.
INT. SAVANNAH CONTRACTING - DAY
TERRY approaches THE OLD MAN's office. The door is open, and we see THE OLD MAN sitting at his desk, phone in hand.
TERRY taps on the door jamb, and THE OLD MAN gestures for him to sit. TERRY nods and sits down quietly.
THE OLD MAN
(into phone)
Lou, I'm tellin' ya, we gotta have those cabinets on Thursday...Waddya mean, next week?...Lou...Lou... listen to me, Lou, you're fucking me with a limber prick and you ain't even kissing me...OK...OK...NO!...OK, Thursday, right...OK, then...I appreciate it.
Slams down receiver.
THE OLD MAN
Phew...
TERRY
You wanted to see me?
THE OLD MAN
Hello, Terry, how's it going?
TERRY
OK, I guess. Is everything alright?
THE OLD MAN
Terry, looking back on last Friday, you done good. Real good. As a matter of fact, I was proud of you. And then yesterday, you're an hour and a half late. My fucking phone is ringing like churchbells at a Moonie wedding. Where's Terry, where's Terry. We're outta this, I can't find that. You think I got time to run out to your job and play nursemaid?
TERRY
I'm sorry Boss, my battery died...
THE OLD MAN
(getting upset)
Shit happens, Terry. And it ain't like this is the first time...
TERRY
I know, Boss...but when I'm late, I always stay late and make up the time...sometimes I don't even put down the hours on my time sheet...
THE OLD MAN
(getting hotter)
God dammit, son, the rest of the entire world of construction commences at seven AM. Except for you. Dammit, boy, you get where I'm coming from?
TERRY
Yes, sir.
THE OLD MAN
(calming down)
We've got good, hardworking people, Terry, but they need guidance. Without guidance, they're like children on a playground. They need you, Terry. I need you.
TERRY, silent and still, looks intently into THE OLD MAN'S face.
THE OLD MAN
(very calmly)
Terry, tell me you hear what I'm saying.
TERRY
I hear you.
THE OLD MAN
OK then.
TERRY starts to RISE.
THE OLD MAN
Wait a minute.
TERRY sits back down
THE OLD MAN
Carlos called a little while ago. He says he's short twenty six boards.
TERRY
Twenty six boards? No way! I couldn't be that far off...
THE OLD MAN
That's what he said, twenty six boards. Twenty six twelve footers. I need you to run down to the yard and pick up twenty six boards and get it out to him, pronto.
TERRY
Boss, I can call the yard and have it delivered tomorrow...
THE OLD MAN
We need it now. Carlos said he'd wait out there to help you unload.
TERRY
But Boss, that's almost a ton of material... my shocks are shot, and my tires...
THE OLD MAN
God DAMMIT!
BANGS his fist on the desk so hard pencils jump on the floor.
I don't give a skinny rat's ass about your fucking truck. You screwed up the estimate, and you gotta make it right. You got that?
TERRY
(Rising)
Yes, sir.
THE OLD MAN
(calm again)
Son, you're wearing me out, you know that? You gotta decision to make, whether you want to keep this job or not. I hope you make the right decision.
(CONCERTO rises again--the saddest strains)
FADE
