The Call

Premise: A world where everyone has been forced to shelter in place for the last 10 years, due to a toxic gas emitted by the ozone. Jinger, a young data scientist and gifted developer, discovers what would happen if technology enabled people to engage in all five senses virtually. To get this discovery out into the world, she’s forced to face her past to save the future.

Setting 

Small southern town (similar to the town in the movie “The Notebook”).

Scene 1 - Overview

A dingey, unfinished basement of a typical two-story suburban home. There are PC’s, servers and lots of tech odd’s/ends all strewn about. There are three large wooden tables draped in large masses of unorganized wires, thick cables, extension cords and power tools. Dim sunlight struggles to peek through two small, rectangular shaped windows near the ceiling of the basement while the rest of the area is lit by lab like florescent lighting. 

Jinger (talking to herself): Oh…my…gosh! I think I did it! 

(There’s a knock on the basement door. It startles Jinger and she almost drops the PC board she’s holding.) 

Jinger (answers in a groggy, stunned voice): uh, yeah?

Shane: You don’t like mayo, do you? 

Jinger: What?

Shane: I’m making lunch and I swear no matter how hard I try, I freekin’ always forget if you like mayo or not.

Jinger: Oh, uh yeah…no mayo. (Jinger hesitates for a moment) Hey, Shane?

Shane: Yeah Jinger?

Jinger: I think I’ve found something. I think…I think I finally found how to make it work!

(The basement door swings open and Shane comes running down the stairs in excitement. He stumbles over a few wires on his way down. Jinger greets him with a beaming smile and holds up a green PC board that looks more like a mini-Christmas tree than a server. Its green and has a million different colored blinking lights on it.)

Jinger: Look! It’s got to be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!

Shane: Jinger, this is amazing! I mean, I didn’t go to MIT or anything, but this thing looks like it could send astronauts into orbit. (He says jokingly) How much do you think Richard Branson would pay ya for it?

(They both chuckle. It gets quiet for a moment and Shane takes a deep breath).

Shane: Seriously though Jinge…you think you’ve gotten far enough to make the call?

Jinger: This…this could be life changing for millions, maybe even billions of people around the world. We’ve all been stuck so far apart for so long. It’s been ten Years. Ten years since I’ve driven past Nellie’s corner bakery on Main and smelled all the goodness of her famous gooey butter cakes. Ten years since I’ve been able to get back into the pool and dive again. 

Shane: I know, it’s been hard on all of us. We’ve all had to adjust. Adapt and make whatever we could work. But this…this new way of experiencing the world. I hope it helps us bring back a sense of normal. A feeling of life. 

Jinger: It will Shane. I know it will. I mean, it has to, right? I’ve worked too hard these last eight years for it not to work. Just imagine smelling the inside of a Starbucks again. And being able to feel the fabric of an outfit you’re buying or being able to actually sample the soup from a restaurant you’re thinking about Grub Hubbing dinner from…all online! So yes. Yes… I’m ready to make the call. Not just for me Shane, but for all of us. 

Shane: Man, that’s heavy. All good though, I mean…news of the century…but heavy. I don’t know about you but I could go for a celebration sandwich right now. How bout before we make that call, you take a quick break with me. I’d say you earned it. Lunch date in the kitchen?

Jinger: (smiles, removes safety goggles and places the PC board in a large lockbox under the table). You keep me sane, you know that? You ground me. You always know how to turn the craziest most stressful situations into nothing more than a bump in the road. How you do it without trying, I’ll never know.

Shane: Guess it was fate we both met while you were in college. Had to be! (Shane laughs) I mean really, you were a graduate student with honors at MIT and I was working with my dad for our family landscaping company. Good thing my old man nabbed that summer contract with the school. I remember being right in the middle of planting perennials when I looked up and saw you crossing the yard. I just HAD to know who you were. Glad you thought my corny pickup lines were cute. That day changed my life.

(Shane looks down at the lockbox).

Shane: And today is the day you made the discovery that will change the lives of countless others. (He smiles) But first, we eat! 

(Shane and Jinger grasp hands and head up the basement stairs. They finish their meal. They’re both excited and anxious at the thought of what comes next. Jinger picks up her cell).

Jinger: You ready?

Shane: (He smiles and looks right in Jingers eyes) Lets do this!

(Jinger dials out and waits for a voice to pickup on the other end).

Carlita: WorldWide Technology, you’ve reached the office of Allana Fields. How can I help you? 

Jinger: Yeah hi. Um, my name is Jinger Johnson. I’d like to speak with Allana please.

Carlita: I’m sorry Mrs.Johnson, Mrs. Fields is in conference most of the afternoon. Let me take a quick look at her calendar. (short pause). I could schedule you in for a 30min call with her next week. How does Tuesday work for you?

Jinger: Oh, that won’t really work. I’ve got something big to share with her and I’ve got to talk to her today. She and I are, well…we know each other. Can you please tell her J.J. is on the line? I’m sure she’ll make time for me.

Carlita: I’m sorry, but there’s no way I can get you in to see her this afternoon. She’s meeting with delegates from the United Nations today. I can book you for next week, but that’s the very best I can do.

Jinger: Um, no that’s ok. Thanks. Bye. 

(Jinger turns to look at Shane, feeling defeated).

Shane: Well, if at first you don’t succeed. (He smiles and looks at Jinger with encouragement).

Jinger: How am I supposed to pitch this thing to the largest tech company in the world, if I can’t even meet with her Shane? I mean, I feel awkward calling her as is. It’s been years since we’ve spoken to each other. 

(Shane thinks for a moment).

Shane: Well, I think I have an idea. I know a guy, that could be an “in” for us. His name is Ricky. He was a contractor who used to work on odd jobs with me and dad from time to time. We used to talk and laugh over a few beers after work. I remember him telling me that he had a cousin that worked for WorldWide. Used to brag out how high up his cousin was. We’ve kept in touch since all this happened. Maybe I could reach out to him and see if we could get our foot in the door?

(Jinger still anxious but hopeful).

JInger: Why not? I mean, couldn’t hurt.

(Shane gets up from the table to grab his phone from the living room. He dials Ricky’s number and paces the floor while he waits for the other end to pick up).

End Scene. 

Setting 

A lavish high rise in Manhattan, with a 360degree view of New York. The apartment is the epitome of opulent in every way. It’s also “smart” and filled with the latest tech gadgets. 

Scene 2 – Overview

Benjamin Fields is at his standing desk in his study looking out at the city. He’s sending emails between conference calls and seems a bit anxious. He stops typing for a moment and gets lost in thought. 

Ben: (talking to himself): Ten years and four months. It’s been that long since the last time I could golf, ski or play a good pickup game with the guys at the country club. (He lets out a long sigh and looks at the time). 

Ben: Man, time for my next call already? So glad four o’clock. I’m ready to chill and catch the game.

(Ben finishes typing and logs into Zoom for his next conference call).

Carlita: Good afternoon Mr. Fields. Good to see you. How’s your day been?

Ben: (smiles…responds in a kind, joking way): Well, I’ve had better Carlita. The Secretary of State keeps riding me about when the council could expect to see prototypes of our newest developments and our executive board is running me crazy with demands to see higher profit margins. I think the only thing that would make the madness stop is some of your homemade 4 cheese casserole. That and an early happy hour.

(They both laugh).

Carlita: Well, I cant help you with the first two problems but I’ll see what I can do about the last one. Good news is I don’t think this call will be a long one Mr. Fields. That way, you have time back and can start the evening early. Just wanted to give you an overview of your day tomorrow. 

Ben: Sounds good.

Carlita: The morning is blocked for your meeting with the senior department leaders. You have the afternoon dedicated to preparing for your big meeting at the White House next week. Oh! And your lunch hour will look a little different tomorrow.

Ben: Really? You know how I love to break up the monotony of my poor, miserable life. (He chuckles sarcastically). What’s going on tomorrow?

Carlita: (smiling but a bit nervous) Well, it’s a bit of a story Mr. Fields. You see, I have a cousin who has a really smart friend that would love to meet with you to talk about an invention that could really be big. I figured since you had a little wiggle room in your schedule, that you could meet with my cousins’ friend for 10mins of your lunch?

Ben: Carlita, anything for you! (he says smiling). You’ve worked with Allana and I since the beginning. Hung in there with us through thick and thin as we built this company from the ground up. We don’t think of you as an employee, but family. I trust you – of course I’ll meet with your friend! By the way, does your friend have a name?

Carlita (says relieved): My cousin’s name is Ricky and I told him that I would talk with you first before I got the details about his friend. I wanted to make sure you were ok with it before I got his hopes up. I’ll call Ricky back tonight to grab the rest of the information on his friend. I’ll add it to your meeting invite early, so you won’t feel like you’re talking to a complete stranger. Thanks, so much Mr. Fields. My cousin and I are really close. He’s like a brother to me so I know this is going to mean a lot to him. Plus, now he owes me big!

(They both laugh and wrap up the call. Carlita hangs up and Ben heads out of his office into the kitchen. As he opens the fridge to reach for a beer, his cell rings).

Ben: Hey hun, what up? How was your day?

Allana: Ugh! You wouldn’t believe the conversation I had with the UN today! They had the gall to tell me that our company was responsible for accelerating health issues in South America and Asia. Our towers and underground cables emit EMF waves that are too strong…blah, blah, blah. I mean, the complaining went on for hours! I finally told em look, bottom line is those towers and cables help make sure we all keep the lights on. They’re cheap to build and operate in those countries so, we’ll continue to do so until we get bigger tax breaks from building safer one’s in more industrialized nations. I swear sometimes Ben, I ask myself why we still do this. Why are we still working? We have so much money we could retire and live off our shares.

Ben: We do it, because we care. We care about getting this world back to the way it once was. Or, at least a version of what it was. And also…you’re too much of a control freak to ever let the company go.

(They both laugh)

Allana: True. Plus, where would we go? Not safe to be outside longer than an hour, even with our nano masks on. 

(Sighs heavily). Oh well, back to reality. Speaking of, what did Carlita order us for dinner? I’ve been craving that salmon she had flown in from that fishery in Alaska. It was delicious!

Ben: Actually, I was hoping for something a little more home cooked. Not sure why, but I’ve been in the mood for a simple, home cooked meal for a while. Just today I told Carlita that I’d love to have her bake us her famous casserole again. I guess for today, I’ll probably just have Jefferey whip something up for us. 

Allana: I don’t know why you encourage her. That casserole is awful, I’d rather eat dirt…seriously.

Ben: Jeez Allana, chill. I think its sweet of her to make it for us and I personally enjoy every bite. You know, if you stopped being so uptight about everything you might (and that’s a BIG might), just be able to enjoy life. 

Allana: (sarcastic tone) Oh, did I hurt your feelings? Well, I’m sorry if I’m the only one concerned that the UN is on our backs about endangering the lives of millions with our technology. Did I mention that unless we find a safer way to run our business, they can shut us down! Can you image what our competitors would do if they even got wind of this? We need new tech and we go nothing. We have thousands of developers that work for us and we’ve got zero to show for it! (pauses). Look. We’re both under a lot of pressure right now. I’m…I’m sorry.

Ben: Look, Allana I’m tired. We’re both tired. Anyways, I’m going to try to catch some of the game. I’ll see you when you get home.

End Scene. 

Setting 

Jinger & Shane’s house. (The same suburban two-story home the audience was introduced to in scene 1).  

Scene 3 – Overview

Jinger is upstairs in her small home office. All the walls are lined with bookshelves, filled with stacks of books. She’s about to log onto a conference call. She’s nervous. Her heart is racing, her palms are sweaty but she’s ready. She dials in. After a few rings the call picks up on the other end. 

Jinger: Hello Mr. Fields, my name is Jinger Johnson. Thank you for taking time to connect with me today.

Ben: Absolutely! Any friend of Carlita’s is a friend of mine. Since we’ve only got ten minutes, how bout we jump right in?

Jinger: Sure. Well, in a nutshell I think I’ve discovered something that could revolutionize the way was connect online. Mr. Fields, image if you could not only just see and hear but also smell, touch and taste your experiences online. 

Ben (he says in a skeptical tone): Uh, excuse me Ms. Johnson, come again?

Jinger: For the past eight years I’ve been working on a prototype that would safely allow the user to fully immerse themselves in the world around them. All without leaving their home! I’ve created an entirely new PC circuitry, unlike anything ever seen before…to give the user the ability to experience the world around them. For example, imagine a kid who was born during this pandemic who never had a chance to visit a petting zoo or a farm on a field trip. Now they can! With this technology they can feel what a sheep’s wool feels like. They can smell and taste the fresh apples growing on the farm…all without compromising their safety! Or say for instance you wanted to feel what it’s like to jump in the lake on a hot summer day or smell the pine in the woods on a virtual hike? Now that’s possible, now we can!

(Pause)

Jinger: Mr. Fields, you still there? I can see you, but I don’t hear anything.

Ben: Wow, Mrs. Johnson….I think I’m just trying to process everything you just told me. If all this is indeed true, you might just be my most important call today or ever for that matter. For the past ten years our company’s number one goal has been to help people though this pandemic. We know the only surefire way to stay healthy is to stay indoors so we’ve been in search of ways that can help people do that, but still go on.

(Ben pauses to think).

Ben: I’d like to get some more time with you. I’d also like for you to present for my wife, Allana Fields. She’s the CFO of our organization. I want to learn more about what your tech can do and maybe even discuss how we can work together. 

Jinger: I’d be thrilled Mr. Fields, thank you!

Ben: Great. I’ll have Carlita set some more time up for us tomorrow. In the meantime, send her your presentation. I’d like to take a closer look at it before our meeting. 

(The call ends and Jinger sits back in her chair, proud of herself. Suddenly a feeling of anxiety rushes over her).

Jinger (talking to herself): It’s been so long since Allana and I have spoken to each other. Maybe I should’ve said something while I was on the call with Ben? No…no it wouldn’t have been the right time. I mean, it was my first time meeting him and I’m sure she’s never spoken to him about me. Well, I’ll have to see how this goes and hope for the best. I can’t let what happened in the past, stop me from helping to change the future for all of us.

End Scene.

Setting 

Jinger and Shane’s home. It’s early the next morning.

Scene 4 

Jinger and Shae are still in bed. Jinger’s phone rings. Without opening her eyes, she reaches for the nightstand and swats at it to silence the ringer. She’s groggy but picks up the phone.

Jinger: Hello?

Allana: I couldn’t believe my eyes. When Ben sent me your presentation, I thought…this couldn’t be her. After all these years. I started reading over it and right from the start, it looked, felt and sounded like you.

Jinger: (she says confused) Allana?

Allana: Yeah Jinge, it’s me.

(Jinger sits up and with phone in hand, quietly gets out of bed and tip toes downstairs).

Jinger: Its…its been a long time.

Allana: Yeah…it has.

Jinger: Allana…look I…

Allana: Jinge, let’s not go down that road, ok? It was a long time ago and what happened, happened. I’m just calling because I wanna know what this all about? I mean, I get this presentation from my assistant and it sounds absolutely crazy. Like, completely nuts. Don’t get me wrong. You’ve always been super smart. Top of our class with honors. Every tech company in America was knocking down your door when graduated. You had your pick of whatever company you wanted to work for and you chose to “take a break,” to get married and I haven’t heard from you since. Now this?

Jinger: Allana, I’ve been working for the past eight years on something that could revolutionize the way we live! Aren’t you the least bit interested in hearing more?

Allana: I wouldn’t have called if I wasn’t. Like I said, I read your presentation but what I wanna know does this thing actually work? Can you really safely use all 5 senses with this technology?

Jinger: Of course, it works Allana and yes, it’s safe. Look, I tried calling your office and couldn’t get in to see you, so a friend of a friend got me in to see Ben. I just need a company to manufacture this on a larger scale and…

Allana: I know. This is what I do. You don’t have to drone on.

Jinger: So? Can we work together on this? Can we just let bygones be bygones and move forward with a clean slate?

(Allana pauses and takes a heavy, deep breath).

Allana: If there’s one thing you’ve always been, its passionate. You don’t stop working on something until its perfect. I know you wouldn’t have called if this was something that had even a small chance of not working. You work at something until…until its right.

(Allana pauses again).

Allana: You got yourself a partner. I’ll bring Ben up to speed on my decision. Crazy thing is…I can’t believe all these years later, fate brings us together again.

Jinger: You’re tellin’ me. In all honesty Allana, I was petrified to make the call but I knew once I had this developed, you were the first person I had connect with. WorldWide is always on the cutting edge of new technology. I’ve followed your success in the news, on social media over the years and…I’m proud of you Allana. You’ve accomplished a lot.

Allana: Um, thanks. (Pause). I guess we’ve both come a long ways from scrounging up change to order off the dollar menu at McDonalds!

(They both laugh).

Allana: Hey look…I gotta run but I’ll set some meetings up this week so that we can get things in motion.

Jinger: (says smiling) This is the best news I’ve had in years. Sounds like a plan. (Pause). I can’t believe it. It’s taken me so long and I’ve worked so hard. So many sleepless nights. So many tears and now, I’m finally am on this call, with you.

Allana: Congratulations Jinge. I mean…this discovery, your work…it could make a new way of life for us all.

Jinger: That’s the hope Allana, but I can’t do it on my own. Thanks for taking a chance on this and…

(Pause)

Jinger: …and for finding a way forward, together.