So this script took me a BIT to conquer... it's a huge task to write and also keep the integrity of the character's voices. Here I gave it a shot and I think I maintained the story structure and kept the characters with a specific motive.
OUT OF HAND
written by Martina Rodriguez
Scene 1:
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - LOBBY - DAY
The sound of door opening. TOM steps out, dressed sharply, walking with confidence. He approaches the front desk where ALICE, the receptionist, is on the phone.
RECEPTIONIST (Alice)
(on the phone)
Yes? We have an opening at 2 o’clock for a showing in the Lower East Side of Manhattan...
She notices TOM and smiles warmly.
RECEPTIONIST (Alice)
First day?
TOM
(smiling coolly)
Yes, such a pleasure to meet you, is it, Alice?
RECEPTIONIST (Alice)
Yes, indeed!
She extends her hand to shake, but TOM hesitates, looking down at it. He then decides to avoid it completely.
TOM
I just peed... And I’m not a handshaker after a good pee. You know, hygiene!
He says it confidently, without hesitation. ALICE pauses, trying to process what just happened. After a beat, she just nods, an awkward smile creeping on her face.
ALICE watches him as he walks away, her expression slowly shifting to one of slight confusion and concern.
VOICEOVER (TOM)
(in his head, with a mix of self-affirmation and confusion)
Nailed it.
Scene 2:
INT. OFFICE HALLWAY - DAY
TOM walks through the office, making his way to his desk. A co-worker, GREG, walks toward him. They bump into each other, a little more awkwardly than they should have.
GREG
Oh my apologies, really! Didn’t mean to startle you. (charismaticaly offers his hand) I'm Greg!
TOM
(voiceover)
Yeah, he seems nice, but you can never be too sure...
GREG extends his hand for a handshake. TOM, not wanting to repeat his earlier mistake, slaps GREG’s hand instead, offering a weird, exaggerated smirk.
TOM
(Pats on his back)
GREG looks at him, completely confused, unsure of what just happened. He pauses for a beat before awkwardly laughing.
GREG
(nervously)
Uh... okay... sure. I betcha you're still getting accommodated to the office... anything you need just let me know!
Scene 3:
INT. RECEPTION DESK - DAY
quick montage of shots revealing the two characters getting ready for a discussion.
ALICE and GREG stand by the front desk, discussing the strange incident.
GREG
(gasping in shock)
He did the exact same thing to me...
RECEPTIONIST (ALICE)
I just don't understand why he was so uncomfortable... we have to find a way to get him out of his shell. We NEED. a. plan.
GREG
(raising an eyebrow, grinning)
A plan? Or is this just your latest office crush at work, Alice? (teasing)
You’ve got a thing for every guy in this building, don’t you?
ALICE
(laughs nervously, trying to deflect)
Whaaaat? No... I- uh- (quickly)
GREG
(mock serious)
Oh, right, of course. It's all about Tom... this week. What happens next week? Are we swooning over Bob from accounting? (grinning mischievously)
ALICE
(flirtatiously trying to laugh at herself with him but quickly shifting to seriousness)
GREG (ad lib; oooh Tom, hold my hand, smooch smooch)
(bangs on the desk) beat. That's enough. You're Impossible Greg... (leans in, lowering her voice like she's about to spill gossip)
Be serious. We’ve had new people come in before, and they’ve always shaken hands and fit right in without any issues. But Tom? He’s the first one to refuse a handshake... unlike every other guy who’s ever walked through that door.
(pauses, realizing what she said, then suddenly snapping to a more defensive tone) NOT that I have a thing for every guy... (looks up at Greg) you KNOW what I mean.
GREG
(smirking, raising an eyebrow)
Oh, I know exactly what you mean, Alice.
ALICE
Focus, Greg! Here's what we need to do:
ALICE
Dialogue
Phase One: The “Super Secret Handshake” Setup. (she leans in, whispering conspiratorially)
We make it seem like handshakes are this big, exclusive thing. We gather the whole team, and we act like it’s some mystical office tradition. Like, it’s a rite of passage, you know? We’ll get all dramatic about it, like, “Oh, Tom, you’ve gotta shake hands to really be part of the family.” He won’t be able to resist!
GREG
(with a calculating smirk)
Yeah, because who wouldn’t want to be part of the family? Sounds like a trap. If he’s even a little paranoid, we’ve got him.
ALICE
(grinning, sounding like she’s gossiping with a friend)
Oh, totally.
ALICE
(giggling like she’s imagining it)
Oh, it’s perfect! He won’t be able to get out of it. EVERYONE is doing it...
“Oh, you don’t want to be the odd one out, Tom, do you?” (teasingly)
Trust me Greg, it’ll work.
GREG
Yeah yeah...
(raising an eyebrow, still calculating)
What if he rebels and refuses to be sucked into the whole “team handshake” thing?
ALICE
(leaning in closer, all gossip and playful energy)
Oh, I’ve thought of that, honey. That’s when we bring in Phase Two: The Casual Coffee/Pen Move. (she gestures dramatically, as if she’s revealing a top-secret plan)
So, we wait until we’re holding something like coffee, a pen, or—oh, I don’t know—a binder, something totally innocent. Then, when we walk by him, we “accidentally” lean in and offer our hand. Like it’s no big deal. Like we’re just casually handing him a coffee, no pressure at all. (focused on a point on the ground and visualizing it)
(Alice envisions that she's seducing him into shaking her hand and that he accepts)
He won’t be able to resist the subtle nudge to shake our hand.
CUT BACK TO REALITY.
(looks awkwardly back at Greg)
GREG
(laughing like he’s already won, eyes narrowing)
Nice. So we make it so casual, he feels like a jerk if he doesn’t shake our hands. He’ll be too embarrassed to not do it.
ALICE
(excited, smirking and nodding up and down, proud of herself)
He won’t even see it coming.
GREG
(leaning in, with a dark grin)
What if that doesn't work...
ALICE
(laughing, now totally immersed in her plan)
It’s foolproof. Greg... (leans in) tomorrow, it's ON.
INT. OFFICE BUILDING - LOBBY
Shot of the phone ringing at the office, Sherrie (Receptionist) picks it up.
ALICE
Hi, yes how may I help you? (nods to Greg)
GREG
(holding the coffee, nervously smiling)
Tom, I—uh, made you some coffee. Thought you could use it.
TOM
(smiling, appreciative)
Thanks, man! Appreciate it. Just put it on the counter for me, yeah?
GREG
(impulsive, grabbing Tom’s hand without thinking)
Sure, but hey, let's just—uh, let’s do the handshake thing! Everyone’s doing it around here, y'know?
TOM
(startled, pulling back a little)
Oh, uh, I don’t really— (Before Tom can finish, Greg doesn’t let go and, suddenly, there’s a loud click sound as a fake hand pops out of Tom’s socket, it just doesn’t quite belong.)
GREG AND ALICE SCREAM, CUT TO FILM TITLE "OUT OF HAND"