The Assessment By Emily Harley
INT. INTERVIEW WAITING ROOM Between two burly,sneering brutes sits PHILLIP THOMPSON, an extremely nervous and fidgety man with glasses too big for his nose and a very non-assuming and bland haircut. Beside the leather-clad hulks Phillip, in his argyle sweater, looks very small and easy to snap in half. Phillip takes a nervous drag from his inhaler. The BEARDED THUG on his left, cracks his knuckles. Phillip flinches with each crack. The thug on his right plays with a SWITCHBLADE, eyes never leaving Phillip’s neck. A calm monotone voice echoes over the intercom. INTERCOM (V.O.) Phillip Thompson? Phillip springs from his seat, losing his grip on his inhaler. He fumbles with it in mid-air before he manages to catch it. PHILLIP THOMPSON (stuttering) Y-y-y-yes? INTERCOM (V.O.) Our reports claim that your methods are virtually undetectable? Are you ready for your assessment? The two thugs laugh dismissively. Phillip pushes his glasses up his nose. PHILLIP THOMPSON (Stuttering) I am. INTERCOM (V.O.) Please proceed. Your interview may now begin, the gentlemen are at your disposal. Phillip extends his hand to the bearded thug. PHILLIP THOMPSON Nice meeting you gentlemen. The bearded thug stares at the hand, his eyes flick up to Phillip than back to the hand. He shakes Phillip’s hand and it audibly cracks. Phillip shakes off his hand before bravely clapping the switchblade thug on the shoulder. The switchblade clicks open. (CONTINUED)
CONTINUED:
2.
Phillip spins around on his heels, smiling broadly. He stands straight, filled with an air of confidence. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) Shall we begin then? Bearded thug’s eyes suddenly grow wide as his hands begin to tremble. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) Upon contact with the skin, the effects of the toxin immediately start to slow the immune system... it causes some mild discomfort... The bearded thug starts to shake uncontrollably, his eyes bulging and his mouth gaps open. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) (Gesturing to switchblade-thug) But I did not touch this gentleman, therefore he should not be exposed, correct? Phillip breathes through his inhaler again. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) Unfortunately, the toxins can be distributed through the air. The switchblade thug’s eyes go wide. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) Unless you are constantly receiving the antidote. He takes a purposeful drag of the inhaler. Both thugs watch in horror. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) Regardless though, both are immediately followed... Switchblade-thug lets out a silent scream, gripping his throat. Suddenly, both thugs’s eyes roll back in their heads and they slide from the couch and collapse on the floor. PHILLIP THOMPSON (CONT.) ..by death. Thank you for your time.