(Two walls of an office cubicle forming a ninety degree angle. A desk, PC and phone. On the walls a calendar and a few generic certificates. The MAN sits at the desk, dressed in a starched white shirt, blue tie and tie pin. A single circle of light shines from above, the rest of the stage is absolute darkness. Various corporate types rush by in heated conversations, a receptionist passes by with a stack of files. As the office workers, supervisors and receptionist cubicle, he occasionally is able to catch some, but most fall to his desk and the floor. He seems to be trying to catch someone's attention. His head swivels left and right, he's struggling to get out some words.)
MAN: Err... Excuse me...uhhh... what time...??(People continue to pass, a receptionist rushes by, the MAN starts to speak more assertively)
MAN (CONT'D): What time do I take lun....?(The receptionist with a plate in her left hand, reaches out with her right hand and pushes a half tuna fish sandwich into the MAN's mouth cutting off his sentence. He turns to the audience, bites down and the remainder of the sandwich falls to the floor. Blackout.)
(Lights slowly open to MAN walking in place behind push mower facing stage right. A steady stream of suburban types file by in both directions. A man and his son going to play catch, a mail carrier, a woman jogging with her dog. The MAN begins to speak to.)
MAN (CONT'D): Honey, honey?(The MAN looks over his shoulder and forward, continuing to walk in place.)
MAN (CONT'D): Honey, when's dinn....?(WIFE enters with over mitts carrying a casserole dish. She push large spoon into MAN'S mouth, stopping his question. He turns head to face audience, swallows as food drips from his chin to floor. His expression is blank. Blackout.)
SCENE 3(An alarm rings, the lights open to a bed and nightstand. The MAN rolls from the bed and stops alarm. He rises from the bed fully clothed in a three piece business suit, his hair is parted. His WIFE turns in her sleep. The MAN takes a minute to compose himself on the edge of the bed, he stands and begins undressing. He stands and removes jacket, shirt, tie and pants. Standing in boxers and black socks he steps into a pair of shoes, messes up his hair with his left hand, and picks up briefcase by bed. He leans to kiss his wife goodbye.)
MAN : Goodbye hone.....(LIGHTS FADE OUT SLOWLY, MAN IS BENT OVER WIFE FROZEN.)
SCENE 4(Lights open back on cubicle and Man seated at his desk partially dressed, papers scattered everywhere, files, and people passing by rapidly. His phone rings, but when he goes to answer, the caller hangs up immediately.)
RING,RING,RIIIIING(The mailroom clerk enters from the left slowly pushing a wheelbarro)
MAILROOM CLERK : Payday! Payday!(The man turns expectantly in his chair, a slight grin comes to his face, he presses his glasses back on his nose and half-heartedly presses down his messy hair. People pass by clutching envelopes and smiling greedily, whispering, "Payday, Payday". The mailroom clerk stops in front of the man, scans a clipboard attached to the wheelbarrow)
MAILROOM CLERK (CONT'D): Ah yes, here you are.(He proceeds to shovel a large pile of dirt and garbage on to the Man's head and lap. After finishing he smiles and begins to push on, then stops and turns...)
MAILROOM CLERK (CONT'D): Oh, I nearly forgot, you worked overtime last week.(He returns to the wheelbarrow and piles another load onto the Man's head. Blackout.)
SCENE 5(The man is scene walking in place, half-naked, covered in garbage and dirt, his briefcase leaking papers and his glasses falling from his nose)
MAN : Taxi...Taxi!!!!(Lights fade.)
SCENE 6(Scene opens on man in chair, mimicking driving, facing the audience, he is of Latin descent. The Man is seated behind and to the left of the driver. They are in a taxi heading somewhere)
TAXI DRIVER : Rough day?