Script

So I started working on this script on google docs and celtx... and I really wanted to capture Tom's discomfort through his expression and way of speaking to himself. A lot of this is just a rough draft that I know needs some polishing, but I just had to start getting my ideas out there and fleshing out this script so that we could lay a foundation. 

INT. OFFICE LOBBY - MORNING

Tom walks into the office, greeted by the usual lackluster atmosphere. The beautiful lights buzz overhead as his coworkers sit at their desks, typing away quietly, no one engaging with one another. There’s a dead silence in the air, broken only by the occasional mouse click or the hum of the copy machine. It’s just another dull morning.

Tom approaches LISA at the entrance, who looks up from her screen and gives a weak, stiff smile. She extends her hand for a handshake.

LISA

(monotone)

Morning, Tom.

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)

(grimacing)

Ugh... another handshake. I’ve had enough of these things. They're weird and... germy. Why do we even still do this?

(sighs)

Okay, just shake her hand, Tom. It’s the norm. Just... don’t think about it too much.

He takes her hand and shakes it briefly, wiping his hand on his pants immediately after.

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)

(internal groan)

That’s it. I’m done. This is too much. I’m over it. There has to be a better way.

INT. OFFICE KITCHEN - LUNCHTIME

Tom heads to the kitchen to grab his lunch. He runs into STEVE, the overly friendly coworker who’s always a little too enthusiastic. Steve eagerly extends his hand for a handshake.

STEVE

(grinning widely)

Hey, Tom! How’s it going?

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)

(freaking out)

Steve. Not him too. Why is this a thing?!

(a thought sparks)

Wait... What if I just avoid it entirely? What if I do something totally weird that’s non-contact? Yeah. A quirky solution. It’ll be fine!

Tom grins to himself and dramatically starts wiping the air near Steve's shoulder as though he's cleaning invisible dust off him.

TOM

(grinning nervously)

Just... cleaning up a little. Gotta keep things tidy, right?

Steve freezes, looking at him with complete confusion. He slowly pulls his hand back, unsure whether he’s part of a joke or if Tom’s lost it. He shrugs and nods awkwardly.

STEVE

(trying to make it normal)

Right... I guess?

INT. OFFICE HALLWAY - LATER

Tom walks down the hallway and bumps into GREG, the quiet guy who rarely talks. Greg raises his fist for a fist bump, but Tom freezes.

GREG

(stoic)

Hey, Tom.

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)

(sighing)

Fist bump. Another thing I can’t deal with. Just... no. How can I avoid this without being too weird? What if I just tilt my head at him? Like I’m acknowledging his effort but keeping my distance. Yeah, that’ll work.

Tom gives an overly dramatic, awkward head tilt toward Greg, as if he's admiring a statue at a museum. Greg watches, unmoving.

TOM

(deadpan)

The head tilt... very formal, very demure.

Greg blinks, trying to figure out what just happened, then slowly tilts his head back at Tom, mimicking the action.

Greg stares at him, blinking. He then tilts his head back at Tom, mimicking the action.

GREG
(stoic)
Right... okay.

Tom nods to himself, feeling a weird sense of accomplishment as he walks off.

---

INT. OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM - END OF DAY

Tom enters the conference room where MR. JENKINS, his eccentric boss, stands by the door. Mr. Jenkins, as always, is extremely enthusiastic and immediately extends his hand for a handshake.

MR. JENKINS
(loudly)
Tom! My man! Good to see you!

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)
(panicking)
Mr. Jenkins! I can’t shake his hand! What if I—what if I just do a pat on the back instead? That’s friendly, non-contact, non-germy! Yes, this will work!

Tom gives Mr. Jenkins a loud, firm pat on the back. The sound of it echoes through the room.

TOM
(grinning awkwardly)
A little pat on the back! Non-germy, like we discussed.

Mr. Jenkins pauses, a little confused. Then, he smiles widely, clearly thrilled with the unique greeting.

MR. JENKINS
(enthusiastically)
That’s the spirit, Tom! No more handshakes, just pat-on-the-back energy! You’re onto something, my friend!

Tom, slightly overwhelmed, smiles nervously, feeling the weirdness escalate.

TOM
(mumbling)
Yeah. New vibe, right?

---

INT. OFFICE LOBBY - THE NEXT DAY

Tom walks into the office the next morning. He’s surprised to see the office completely transformed. The once dull, stiff environment is now full of laughter, chaos, and absurdity. Coworkers are greeting each other with bizarre and hilarious gestures:

LISA is sniffing her own hand before offering it to someone like it’s a scented candle.

STEVE is pretending to brush invisible dirt off a coworker’s jacket.

GREG is tilting his head at people dramatically like he's in some kind of slow-motion dance.

Even MR. JENKINS is bumping into people with exaggerated, energetic shoulder nudges and slapping people’s backs loudly as if he's in a sports locker room.

Tom watches in disbelief, realizing the office has completely embraced the chaos he started. He’s part of it now.

TOM'S INTERNAL MONOLOGUE (V.O.)
(stunned)
Wait. Wait a minute... they’re... they’re all doing it?! I started this? This is… awesome? It’s weird, but it’s awesome...

Tom grins to himself and gives a coworker a strange, over-the-top head nod as a greeting. The coworker nods back and even adds an exaggerated wink.

Tom continues to walk through the office as everyone greets him with bizarre gestures, laughing and having fun. The once stale, quiet office is now full of joy and energy.

Suddenly, Mr. Jenkins appears behind him, slapping him on the back one more time, followed by an over-the-top thumbs-up.

MR. JENKINS
(shouting joyfully)
There he is! Tom, the innovator! You’ve changed the way we greet each other, my friend!

Tom, slightly overwhelmed but oddly proud, smiles. The camera pulls back, showing the entire office engaged in this bizarre, fun greeting revolution.