RIDE DOWN WITH MUNSON

What do you suppose this is about?

What?

Why are we sitting here?

We were beckoned.

Exactly. So why must we come ?

Because you work for the man.

So I should just jump when he snaps?

You bet.

Why?

I dunno. Maybe…You expect a check…?

I earn every damn cent.

And so does the next man, and the next…and the next man, and so on…others standing in line just waiting to earn yours.

Your point being?

You work for the Bloody Bastard!

Mr. Munson?

Sir?

This Bastard is firing your ass on the spot.

It was Higbey…!

I heard what I heard, Munson. Insubordinate filth. It came from your mouth, not Higbey’s. In fact, he will be replacing you, as of now. Pack up, Get out. HR will be in touch. Higbey, contact Security and tell them Munson is checking out of the building. Munson? You know procedure, you’ve canned plenty before…and, oh, so well…so get it done, won’t you?

This is blatantly unfair! SIR! …Higbey, tell him!

Get your Ass OUT of my building…now, Munson !

(Slam)

Okay. I just got off the phone. Security will meet you in your office…on their way now.

You bastard, Higbey.

You’ve fired 243 people in the last four months. Do you know what they call you around here?

No. And I don’t care to know. Pricks…

The Boss’s Bung.  

Fuck you.

So, what-say?…let’s pull the plug and get ‘er done. Oh, Look. They came to fetch you. Isn’t that considerate? Show him some respect people. He’s made major contributions. We’re all professional, here. Good luck out there, Munson.

_ _ _ _

Well that was uncomfortable.

No, It was efficient, Higbey.You called him out and he snapped. It’s exactly what we expect from you from now on.

If that’s what you expect, I’m sure I can deliver.

It’s your Skill, Higbey. Use it.

I will, Sir.

Good. See you at lunch.

Sir?

‘The Pinnacle’... Twelve-thirty sharp. My table today, and you commandeer Munson’s from here on. Consider it your own. Now back to it.

Sir?

Ferret out the weasels.

I will, Sir,

And the Rats…

Yes, Sir.

All the vermin!

Indeed, Sir.

The snakes. The parasites, The sheep in wolf’s clothing….

Sir. ..ah…Wolf in sheep’s clothing…?

Are you questioning me?

Never.

Have you met my daughter?

Nooo…I…no, sir.

Well you shall!

What is your sexual preference? If you’re gay I have a nephew…

No. Sir. Straight as they come.

Not that I care. …only about my daughter…

Of course. I look forward to meeting her.

Have you seen her?

No, Sir, but I imagine…

Don’t. Don’t do that. No imagining…look her straight in the face.

I’m not following…

Have no illusions or delusions. She does not come with the job. Your performance comes first. That’s my bottom line. But if you happen to take notice…happen to entice…treat her with respect….treat her nice…there’s no telling what your future holds.

I look forward to meeting her sir.

In due time.

Yes, sir.

Like ‘Saturday’.

This Saturday, sir?

Yes

I’d be delighted. But…uh…I’ll just have to tell my wife.

I hear you two haven’t been getting on too well as of late.

Really? Who told you that?

Munson, of course… doing his job.

But Munson was a bachelor…surely he was a more likely candidate for your…

Oh, he gave it a go. Let’s just say he was not convincingly enthralled, and she sensed it.

Oh. Never met the young lady.

You shall.

I look forward to it.

You do that. For the good of the company…

Yes, Sir.

Is your wife going to be a problem?

Actually, we had Saturday set aside for a talk. She moved out last Tuesday…sir.

Excellent! Seems, Munson was not on top of ‘the Information’ after all.

No one knew.

Wonderful news. You two can talk anytime…We’ll see you Saturday!

Well…yes…certainly sir.

Ohhh…Higbey?

Sir?

Was your wife an attractive woman?…would you say?

I married her, sir. She’s a sweet soul. I must have found her attractive. Yes. I do…in her way, there are moments when she’s quite pretty.

Wonder if others would find her so…do you think?

She’s a classically simple girl, sir. But there are moments, in some light, the way she’ll tilt her head or cast her eyes. Bewitching….

So she is ‘plain’. Fair to say?

She is. But in her way…

I’ve heard there was some girth there.

Fucking Munson…sorry, sir.

Just accessing your boundaries, Bob. You know she inquired about you? …my daughter?

No. How is that possible? We’ve never met, I swear.

Oh, I know. Munson shared the Annual Report with her. Trying to impress her with his portrait alongside mine. Apparently she was more impressed, it seems, by you as she leafed through.

How so?

Must be your magnetism. She came to me afterward and said,

‘Daddy who’s Robert Higbey? He’s ‘cute’.

Cute?!?  Look at me, sir. I’m no prize pony.

Oh, she’ll require something much more substantial than a pony. I suspect that’s why she picked you…

Out of the Annual Report? She picked me out of a line-up?…like some catalogue?      (….fuck me.)

Hig - beeeeeee…???

If you don’t mind, Sir, I’d like to take my vacation time. I need some space…time to step back… to consider these rather major changes in my life. Happening today…right here….much too fast.

People in your position, Higbey, are paid very well to make these tough decisions under pressure, not to take Vacations from them! Do we move forward or do we not?

Like a chess pawn…a fucking chess pawn…that’s all we are.

Of course, you Idiot, it’s my board. You’re all my pawns.

This pawn passes.

There’ll be another.

Of course…an entire gallery full...

That’s right, Higbey. Did I tell you how much she loves to shop? It’s her favorite thing. 

If you hurry, you might catch the car down with Munson. Won’t that be a fun ride?