Robin is typing away at his work station. He is disturbed by the vibration of his mobile. He immediately logs out and moves to exit.
ROBIN
Going to lunch.
MATT
It's not twelve yet.
ROBIN
I'll make the time up.
Robin is sat in the staff cafeteria. He has ear phones wedged into his ears. He is red faced and sweating. He doesn't seem to be enjoying the song he is listening to. As we hear it, we soon see why.
It's an auto tuned abomination that's clearly been created by a committee of middle aged men.
Robin appears relieved when the track ends. He tucks away his earphones and replaces it with a hip flask. He looks around before taking a long, hard swig of a beverage banned by his work place. For Robin, it is needed.
CUT TO:
INT. MENS ROOM - DAY
Robin splashes his face with cold water. He takes a look at himself in the mirror. Things aren't how they should be.
CUT TO:
INT. APARTMENT - EVENING
Robin arrives home. He dumps his work bag on the floor and throws his jacket onto an empty hook. There are photographs of him with a young girl. He looks happier in these images; less tired and much more content.
We see Robin eat a simple meal, half watching a TV show.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Robin is in bed. He has his headphones on again and the irritating song is being endured. As soon as it's over, he rips the buds from his ears and sighs in utter relief.
He closes his eyes and attempts to sleep.
CUT TO:
CARD: 'TUESDAY'
Robin is sat around a large table. There are six other people there. His manager, Simon, is leading a meeting. Robin's attention keeps turning to the clock. The meeting is overrunning and this makes him squirm. The time is 11:40.
SIMON
And that's it. That's all from me. I'll send out the presentation in an email as a reminder. If you have any questions, don't be afraid to..
A man raises his hand. Robin looks shocked. Not now. Not at this time.
MARTIN
Could you go over the financial's for May again because it doesn't match what I have here?
Robin is aghast. He has to go. He has to do what needs to be done.
SIMON
Well, If I go back to..
ROBIN
I have to go.
SIMON
What's that, Robin?
ROBIN
I have to go and..
SIMON
It won't take long.
ROBIN
I know but I really need to..
SIMON
You can have the extra time at lunch.
ROBIN
It's not that. I need to..
Robin starts to get up and leave.
ROBIN
I'm sorry. It's urgent.
Robin leaves. Simon is visibly annoyed.
CUT TO:
INT. MENS ROOM
Robin is sat in a cubicle, headphones in. The song is heard. He sweats.
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Robin is sat at his desk. There is another photograph of him and his daughter which takes his attention from spreadsheets. Simon arrives to take his attention from that too.
SIMON
Can I have a word?
ROBIN
Sure.
CUT TO:
INT. MANAGER'S OFFICE
SIMON
What's going on?
ROBIN
What do you mean?
SIMON
The sudden need to keep dashing off before twelve for one thing. That's not to mention you fleeing the meeting earlier.
ROBIN
I'm sorry about that. I had to go.
SIMON
But why? What's so important?
ROBIN
It's hard to explain.
SIMON
Try me.
ROBIN
You wouldn't understand.
SIMON
Are you interviewing for other jobs?
ROBIN
What? No! Not at all!
SIMON
Because that's the only explanation I can come up with.
ROBIN
I'm loyal to this company.
SIMON
But not to its lunch time procedures or meeting etiquette..
ROBIN
I don't mean to rock the boat.
SIMON
I'm not trying to put you on the spot and this isn't a witch hunt. You just haven't been yourself lately and I want to make sure you are okay. I would like to think that we are friends as well as colleagues.
ROBIN
We are.
SIMON
So, as a friend, let me help. Is it a money thing?
ROBIN
No.
SIMON
Alice? Is she okay?
ROBIN
Karrie ensures me she is.
SIMON
If you need time to build a case to get her back, I'm here. I know a few good lawyers.
ROBIN
Thank you. I will tell you..everything. I just...
SIMON
Take your time, okay? Just let me in a little. I can shush all the gossip out there. Whatever you need to make it easier.
ROBIN
I really appreciate that.
SIMON
Okay, get on home. We'll talk when you need to. My door is always open, Robin, remember that.
ROBIN
Thank you.
Cut to:
INT. APARTMENT - EVENING
Robin is in bed, listening to that horrible song again. His eyes are red from weeping.
CUT TO:
CARD:'WEDNESDAY'
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Robin is working as usual. His focus shifts between his work, the picture on his desk and the time.
His mobile vibrates, signaling a call and not a reminder to listen to that horrible song.
ROBIN
Alice. How are you? How's school? I know, I miss you too. I'm working on...I am. I really am. I promise that when it all works out I will take you to wherever you want to go. I promise. Anywhere. It's going to be fine. It won't be long now. I love you too.
Robin roots around in his drawer, phone in hand. The time is drawing close to 12pm. He does not have long.
ROBIN
Has anyone seen my headphones? They were on my...
His alarm goes off. It's 12. Do or die. With little choice, he starts to play the horrible song, much to the chagrin of those around him. As he heads to the exit, people mock him for the song and complain about the racket. Robin quickens his pace, phone to his ear. He has to listen to the whole thing. When he is gone, his co-workers formulate their own gossip about his behaviour.
He finishes the song in the stairwell. When it ends, he looks around to see if things are okay. After a moment, he heads back into the office. People are talking as people tend to do. Robin blocks it out as best he can as he heads back to his desk.
JAMES
What was that all about?
ROBIN
It was nothing.
James
That was the furthest thing from nothing. What is with you and that fucking song?
ROBIN
I have to listen to it. I hate it but I have to listen to it twice a day, every day otherwise..
JAMES
Otherwise what?
ROBIN
It'll be the end of me.
James laughs.
JAMES
Well, ask a stupid question, I guess!
Cut to:
CARD: 'THURSDAY'
cut to:
Robin is on the phone.
ROBIN
I'm not feeling well. I'll be back tomorrow. I'm pretty sure it's just a twenty-four hour thing.
CUT TO:
Robin is listening to that bloody song again. He swigs from a bottle of beer.
CUT TO:
CARD: 'FRIDAY'
CUT TO:
INT. OFFICE - DAY
Robin is at his desk, working away. His colleagues eye him strangely and some are clearly gossiping about his strange behaviour of late.
His alarm goes off, signaling that he must find a spot to listen to the song again. He gets up, phone in hand as his co-workers snicker.
CUT TO:
INT. MENS ROOM - DAY
Robin is in a cubicle, earphones in and ready to listen to the song for what seems like the millionth time.
He pushes play and..
Nothing.
He looks at his phone. He jabs the play button but his streaming service of choice is not playing ball. He keeps hitting the play icon over and over but nothing is happening.
Time is ticking away.
Then, on screen, a message pops up:
"Unable to play track at this time"
He pales. Panic sets in. It's close to the time and he's still yet to punish his ears with the song. He dashes out of the toilet, almost knocking over another worker.
INT. OFFICE
In a total fluster, he looks around for something to listen to the song on.
He makes a grab for someone's phone but they jerk it away and yell at him. He tries a few more people, begging for the phone but they give him the coldest of shoulders.
His panic grows for frantic levels as he tries to grab anything to save him.
Simon becomes aware of the commotion.
Robin is shoved over by one person as he yells for help.
Security emerge and Simon motions for them to escort him outside. He is led away, kicking and screaming.
ROBIN
Simon, please! You don't understand!
Robin is led away as the office becomes a hive of confusion and amusement.
Simon looks sad, sorry for his friend.
Most of the office crowd over by the window to watch Robin being thrown out of the building, still protesting. He makes one last ditch attempt to grab someones device but it is fruitless.
The office laugh and mock him as he drops to his knees, yelling for help.
OFFICE WORKER
What a fucking freak!
Suddenly, Robin is grabbed by shadowy hands that emerge from the ground. He fights as more hands grab at him, tearing at his clothes and pulling him into a fiery pit. He screams as he is pulled under, into the unknown depths. His terrified face is the last thing to be seen before everything returns to normal.
The office workers fall silent. Simon looks horrified.
No one says a word.
Then, from Robin's discarded phone, we hear that fucking song.
CREDITS.
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