The Solo & The Exec

1. Summary: Two close friends whose paths’ diverged later in life, meet up under less than ideal circumstances. After all this time, will their friendship still hold or will it shatter their belief and trust in each other. 

2. Roles:

    Major: 

• The Solo |S|: The speaker, a solo trying to make a name for themselves and the childhood friend of the listener; Now they find themselves in a strange situation.

3. Scene: Inside an interrogation room

[A sliding door opening and closing creates sound, which is then followed up by the sound of a struggling voice, coming from a body being brought in and placed down with a thud on a metal chair. A bit later, electronic locks hiss close as the body is secured in place with various restraints.]

|S|: (Angered) What the hell choom! I didn’t do anything freaking wrong! You just can’t bust into my place like you did, you braindead corporats!

[The sound of heavy boots against metal is the only sound the struggling body hears, before the door once again sliding open and closing again.]

|S|: (Angered & annoyed) You could’ve at least removed the bag from my head! (whispering to themselves) okay, think, what did you do to piss off these guys? The experimental biochip? Naw, that job had screwed written all over it…Sides, they don’t look like Saka goons; Maybe Saka is outsourcing their work to these guys? Naw, their counterintelligence department is rather effective & terrifying. So I doubt that. Maybe they brought me in because they found out about it? But how did they find out that I was approached for the job?

[The door opening and closing again is the sound that alerts the struggling person that someone has entered the room. Further reinforced by the sound of shoes walking along the metal]

|S|: (With frustration) Okay, I’m starting to get really annoyed with you corpo goons entering the room and not having the courtesy of removing the…

[The bag is finally removed, allowing the speaker to see the person who removed it, and was the only other individual in the room]

|S|: (Annoyed) About damn time, jeez if you gonks are going to nab me in the middle of my sleep, the least you can do is toss me in one of those fancy corpo AVs, you know the type; With the champagne dispenser, so that way, when some of your suited goons beat me and shove me in their AV (with an angered voice) I can have some freaking champagne to drink on my way here! (Pause for 3 beats, with surprise) Wait a minute! Oh my god it’s you! (Pause for 2 beats, then speak with disbelief) It’s good to see me again? It’s good to see me again!?! Are you insane! I fail to see how in the hell this is a good way for either of us to meet! You freaking corpse! After all this time, this is how we reconnect? By you sending your damn goons to nab me out of my bed, and bring me here!? (Pause for 2 beats, then speak with confusion and anger) You weren’t sure if I was going to answer!? Did they scoop out your brain and replace it with corpo approved garbage?! After all these years? I would’ve absolutely loved to reconnect with a childhood friend. Now though? Now I’m starting to think otherwise. What? Did that damn corporate school your parents sent you to erase your manners?

[The Solo struggles against their metal bindings in an effort to get out.]

|S|: The least you can do is take off these damn restraints! It’s not like I can hurt you. They took my damn iron when they shoved me in the AV. Not to mention that I can feel your deckheads rummaging around in my head, just waiting for me to use my chrome or my cyberware so they can fry the ganic mush in the empty portion of my skull. And let’s not forget that I’m still in the middle of who knows where, probably in a corporate blacksite, most likely heavily defended. And with at least, a company of your security goons. (Pause for 2 beats then spoken sarcastically) Oh yeah, I was able to definitely notice the observation room, from underneath the bag you all had on my head; Of course I couldn’t see anything, I had a bag on my head, that’s not even taking into account the fact that your deckheads turned off my damn eyes! So no, I didn’t realize that this room was under observation; Still if we’re in an interrogation room, I figure that there’s a whole squad of heavily armed corpo goons in the next room over, just itching to bust into this room and flatline me before I could even wrap my hands around that neck of yours. And trust me, I would like nothing more than to choke the life from this corpo corpse that wears the face of my best friend.

[The sound of locks being dropped and restraints opening allows the Solo to let out a sigh of both relief and happiness.]

|S|: (exasperated) Well, I’m glad that our friendship still counts for something. Anyways, you didn’t go to all this trouble just to reconnect with old friends, I’ve dealt with enough suits to know that you want something, so come out and say what exactly you want with me. (Pause for 2 beats) Oh please don’t even try to engage in small talk, you and I have nothing to talk about. Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll entertain the idea. Afterwards, don’t bother calling me ever again. (Pause for 3 beats) Woah! Hey! Shush! (Whispering) Isn’t the room being monitored by corpo security; The type of corpo security with access to internal microphones. The ones that can record our conversation about you flatlining your rival (pause for 2 beats) They’re loyal to you? The ones in the observation rooms? (Pause for 2 beats) Oh! Everyone in here and a few other places. (Spoken with a condescending, yet, impressed tone) Look. At. You. Already establishing your own little powerbase; You always were ambitious, maybe the corporate life really is where you belong. Well, whatever the case, this still has to be the stupidest freaking reason anyone has ever kidnapped me. Though I’m left wondering, why don’t you just call a damn fixer and hand them a contract to flatline your rival? That would solve your problem without getting me involved in any way. (Pause for 3 beat) Hmm, yeah I can see how having a rival with connections with just about every fixer in the city could complicate your little scheme. (Pause for 2 beats) Oh, my skills make me the perfect candidate? Well, how flattering. I honestly didn’t think that my solo skills had gained me such notoriety; Let alone demand from such a high class client like yourself. That still doesn’t mean that I’m going to participate in your gonk plan to flatline your rival. If this goes south and we have to end up shooting our way out, well let’s just say that it won’t be named drink at Afterlife worthy, not that I want one, ever. So if there’s nothing else to cover, then point me to the exit and I’ll find my own way home.

[There are a few steps, before they abruptly stop]

|S|: (With surprise) C-can you repeat that number? (whispering to themselves) That’s a lot of eddies. It could set me up for a good long while. A new Aerondight Guinevere, a couple of nights at Konpeki Plaza Japan, and still have a little left over for a rainy day. Damnit! (Back to speaking normally) Fine, I’m in. One condition though! You can’t sit back and watch, you want this done right, you gotta get down and dirty with me; Sides, this feels like a two person job and I doubt that you’d want me to bring in more unknowns into this already dangerous plan of yours. (Pause for 2 beats, then with shock) You were already going to help, oh, well it’s good to see that despite that businesswear on you, you haven’t lost your get down and dirty with the rest of us attitude. Okay, so is this a bring your own gear mission, or is it a gear provided mission? (Pause for 3 beats) Bring your own gear, good, it’d be difficult for me to do this with anything else. (Pause for 2 beats) I’d show you what I’m packing, but well, you know; Still, when I get it back, you’re going to love what I got.

[The steps continue, along with another set echoing slightly behind. Then the sound of a sliding door opening and closing is heard]

4. Scene: Outside of rival’s apartmentment complex

[The sounds of vehicles honking as they’re stuck in traffic can be heard, along with the sound of people walking around]

|S|: Alright, so just to review the plan, you’re going to go in there and act like you’re delivering something to your boss. (Pause for 2 beats) Idk! Uhm, Oh! I know, tell them that there was a break in at one of the company’s facilities and that your investigation pulled something that they really need to see. And that you’re delivering a shard soon, because this is the type of information that can’t be sent over the call. We wait a bit, then you go in there and tell them you’re outside, when they answer the door, you hide, and I’ll handle the rest from there. Alright, you know where I’m going to be right? (Pause for 2 beats) Yep, on the roof of this building, it should be just across the street from your rival’s pad. Okay, make the call, wait a little bit, and well, good luck.

[Footsteps can be heard as the solo walks away and opens a door nearby; Along with the sound of a tram going over head that then fades away as it finishes passing by]

|S|: (Yawn) It’s been an hour, are ya going to go in there now, or? Oh, you’re going in now, good, I was about to wonder if we were going to do this this year or the next one. (With a whistle) Damn, your rival has a fantastic pad. They must make some jaw dropping good scratch to be able to afford such a place. No wonder you want their position, hell, I’d want their position if it came with a pad like this. (Pause for 2 beats, followed by surprise) Wait! They’re the company CEO! You want to off your damn boss!! Are you insane or something!? If this whole situation goes south you die, and I spend the rest of my life hiding either on the Moon or on Mars! (Pause for 2 beats, then with outrage) Don’t worry about it? Don’t worry about it!? Of course I’m going to worry about it. What are you thinking?! Look! We may not be friends anymore, but I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I still cared about you. This is insane, even for you. How in the hell are you going to keep this bastard’s loyal minions from offing you, and turning me into mystery meat at an All Foods Plant?

[The sound of distant sirens passing by underneath the position is heard before it fades into nothingness.]

|S|: You had a talk with the board of directors? (Pause for 2 beats, then with realization) Oh! You’re making a power play! You’re gunning for control of the corporation aren’t you?! Well damn, and here I thought you had lost your ambition. Nope, that damn corpo school only added a nice sheen of ruthlessness to it. (Pause for 3 beats) Okay, but like, there’s still a chance this whole situation can go south, right? (Pause for 2 beats) What do you mean it won’t go south? (Pause for another 2 beats) Alright then tell me what this supposed plan b of yours is. (Pause for 2 beats) Medium apartment towers, diagonally from me..apartment towers…apartment towers, wait, those ones? The ones next to that low level corporate building? Yeah, I see the AV4’s, they’re the ones on the roof, right? Ah, I get it, if we mess up, they’ll come down and just level that entire penthouse. A bit of a sledgehammer for the situation, but considering what we’re doing, it’s understandable.

[The faint sound of police sirens go off as they pass by is heard, then it falls off into silence]

|S|: Alright, I see you going into the building proper, great, let’s get this done (Softly to themselves, sarcastic and reassuringly) Okay me, you’ve got this, no pressure. Except that, if you miss the shot, your friend dies, and you either wind up as literal mincemeat, or hiding out in space. So you know, no pressure. (Normally) Okay, Lucky Techtronika, don’t fail me now; Please dear god, don’t fail me now; Because if you do, I’m not going to be alive to regret it for long. Alright, let’s see about hacking their cameras. Hmm. There has to be a camera or two on the floor, ah! Security camera, perfect. (Pause for 2 beats) Alright, and I’m in the building’s system. Oh! Perfect view of the elevator, wonderful! Look at my best friend come off the elevator. Man, that businesswear of theirs makes them look really good. Oh, is that a gun I see? Looks like a Malorian 3516, someone’s got a taste for quality. Okay, they’re almost at the door, time to get my head in the game. Slow down my breathing, take into account wind speed and direction. Distance.

[The sound of a heavy bolt being pulled back, then forward is heard, along with a bullet entering the chamber]

|S|: Let’s switch to a penthouse camera.

[The sound of a doorbell is picked up by the camera]

  |S|: There’s the doorbell, so my fine corporate friend, where are you? Where are you? Jesus, how many cameras do you have, you fat cat bastard. There you are! Getting up from your nap I see. Come on friend, my gonk choom is at the door, and you’re busy putting on a robe. Just answer the damn door. Oh! Finally leaving the room. Alright, I’ve got my scope zeroed, I just need you to take a few more steps…

[The shot of a heavy sniper rifle being fired echoes through the air, not long after, the sound of shattering glass replaces the dissipating echo. Seconds later, the sound of a call being made from the solo to their friend is heard]

|S|: And that’s one dead corpo-boss. You can stop taking cover now, just be sure to double tap the body. Last thing I want is a pissed off corpo corpse coming after me. Now, I do believe you owe me a really big paycheck.

[Over the call, there can be heard three gunshots go off, before it is replaced by the sound of a busy street that then slowly fades into silence]

5. Scene: outside of apartment

[Glass bottles shattering are heard, along with the sound of people chattering all about]

|S|: That was a pretty easy mission for the, honestly, ridiculous pay. I hope that they’re happy being the CEO, I damn well know I’m not cut out for that job.

[The solo punches in a code which leads to a sliding door opening, along with its corresponding sound]

|S|: (Faking positivity) Aand there’s corpo goons here. Lovely, I knew this thing was going to go south somehow.

[The sound of the solo struggling against multiple people fills the air, and it is the only thing until it slowly fades into silence]

6. Scene: All Foods Plant

[As the solo wakes, they hear the sound of heavy machinery processing meats into foodstuffs.]

|S|: What is that smell? Is that cooking meat? Oh no. (Panicked) Oh damn! Oh damn!I was just messing around with the All Foods Plant thing! I didn’t actually think you psychos would actually try and turn me into actual mystery meat! Damnit! (slightly regretful) Dude, this is not what I wanted to happen. Just please don’t let me be the meat in a Burrito XXL. That has to be the worst foodstuffs I could get made into!

[The sound of the heavy machinery is joined by chains being pulled and pushed against, as well as the solo struggling to get out of them]

|S|: (Threateningly) You better let me go! You’re under new management you know. I know your damn boss! And they’ll have you all skinned for this! (Pause for 2 beats, then speak with a bit of stress) Someone say something damnit! You can’t just have me here with disabled eyes and not say a word! 

[The distant echo of gunfire, though muffled by the heavy machinery, can still be heard]

|S|: (Triumphantly) Hah! You’re all dead now! Let me go and maybe I can talk them down from putting you all six feet under. You better do it fast! I can hear them getting closer.

[The gunfire seems to be getting closer and closer, and therefore, louder, to the point that it takes over the noise coming from the machinery]

|S|: Woops, too late, you’re all dead now! And from the sounds of it, they brought a whole damn army with them! Oh, now you surrender, pft, cowards, weren’t willing to surrender before, when you had the chance. Figures. If I had my stuff, and one working eye, then you all would’ve been six feet under before they even arrived.

[The Solo hears the thunk of a heavy button being pressed, followed by feeling and hearing the hydraulic they were on being retracted, the chains moving until eventually, after some messing around, they are released and drop to the grate down below with a heavy clang]

|S|: (Thankfully) Oh thank you! I can see again! I don’t know which of you deckheads did that for me, but thank you so damn much! Damn, this place looks as bad as it smells, ugh, I’m going to have a lot of trouble eating an All Foods product for a long while. (Thankfulness continues) You actually came to get me! damn, I uhm, thank you, I guess. You didn’t have to come and save me, but you did, and you brought a whole army with you. It…it really shows me that you still care, I guess. But my question is, who the hell would order me kidnapped knowing full well that you were the new boss (pause for 3 beats, then speak with slight anger) dude! Really!? I even asked you if there was a loyal minion with the resources and the dedication to launch a retaliation attack! Remember I asked you that? (Pause for 3 beats) The fact that you failed to realize that your former boss’ right hand man would try this, tells me a lot about how sloppy you’ve gotten. (Pause for 2 beats) I mean the old you would’ve looked at this whole mess and immediately tear you a new one for not doing your homework. And don’t say you wouldn’t have! Hell, I should do that, but I can do that after this whole mess gets settled. (Pause for 2 beats) oh, the reason why my dear friend, is because right now, there’s a whole damn faction of pissed off old-guard influential corporate executives in your company who have just made this job, very personal.

[The sound of many shoes and boots walking outside make the sound of the heavy machinery slowly dim until the sound could no longer be heard]

|S|: By the way, I noticed the lack of a corporate executive body in there, did they get away? (Pause for 1 beat) Good, after what they put me through, they better run, and I hope they keep running, it gives time for the fear to build up. (Yawning) I highly doubt that these bastards will try anything again, however, I haven’t come this far without being cautious. Don’t suppose your company would reimburse me for getting a room at one of these hotels, would it? (Pause for 2 beats) legit? Well I won’t turn down a free night, all expenses paid. Besides, it gives me a chance to see your pad, and don’t think I won’t critique your house if it’s crappy. Oh! One last thing, I’m going to need a list of any influential members of your dead boss’ faction. Any of them with any pull and with an undying loyalty to their dead leader. I’m going to enjoy working my way down that list, one. Name. at. A. time. (Pause for 3 beats) Well I was going to ask for an upfront payment, but if you’re offering a hefty bounty per name, then who am I to say no to free money.

[An AV arrives, the roar of the engines are dimmed as the doors open up and reveal the luxurious interior]

|S|: (Sarcastically) Oh I see you brought the one with the champagne dispenser, at least your sense of humor hasn’t changed. (Normally) It better have the good stuff. Now let’s go, I need a very long rest. (Finger snap) Before I forget, I should look for my weapons, the bastards took them off me and I have no idea where they put them. (Pause for 2 beats) Oh, okay, uhm, damn, your people are really competent if they found my iron already. You gotta thank them for me. So are they going to send them to us or will they… (pause for 3 beats) Well, as long as I get them before breakfast, then I’m more than happy with that. Anyways, let’s get out of here, the sooner I get the All Foods Plant induced nightmares out of the way, the better.

[The doors of the AV close shut one last time as the engines roar to life once more and take off, the roar getting more and more silent the longer the distance gets]