The After Hours

INTRO — EMPTY DEPARTMENT STORE, ESCALATOR HUM, DISTANT ELEVATOR DING, WARPED MUZAK

MALE NARRATOR — FORMAL, VINTAGE

A department store. The ninth floor. One small purchase, and a young woman who has yet to find her way home.

FEMALE CLERK 1 — BRIGHT, PROFESSIONAL

May I help you find something?

FEMALE CUSTOMER — MARISA

A gold thimble, please.

FEMALE CLERK 1

Of course, dear. Ninth floor.

ELEVATOR DING — DOORS OPEN

FEMALE ELEVATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Ninth floor.

FEMALE CUSTOMER

Excuse me? I need to go downstairs.

FEMALE CLERK 2 — DISTANT

Downstairs?

FEMALE CUSTOMER

Yes. The exit.

FEMALE CLERK 2

But you just arrived.

MUZAK WARPS — LOW DUB BASS CREEPS IN

FEMALE CUSTOMER

I bought the thimble. I went home.

FEMALE CLERK 2

Did you?

FEMALE CUSTOMER

What is that supposed to mean?

FEMALE ANNOUNCEMENT — SWEET, RECORDED

The store will remain open for your convenience.

FEMALE CUSTOMER

I pressed the first floor!

FEMALE ELEVATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

Ninth floor.

ELEVATOR DING — THE SAME CHIME REPEATS, SLIGHTLY DETUNED

FEMALE CLERK 1 — OVERLAPPING

May I help you find something?

FEMALE CLERK 2

Right over here!

FEMALE CLERK 3

Everything you need!

FEMALE ANNOUNCEMENT

For your convenience. For your convenience. For your convenience.

THE ESCALATOR GROANS — FOOTSTEPS CIRCLE IN STEREO

FEMALE CUSTOMER — WHISPERING

Who's there?

FEMALE CLERK 3 — SOFT, SAD

You don't remember us.

FEMALE CUSTOMER

I've never seen you before.

FEMALE CLERK 3

Not like this.

LONG PAUSE — FLUORESCENT BUZZ

FEMALE CUSTOMER

Please. I want to leave.

FEMALE CLERK 1

Of course, dear.

FEMALE CUSTOMER

Then open the door!

FEMALE CLERK 2

Which door?

ALL FEMALE VOICES — WHISPERED, OVERLAPPING

Which door?

Which floor?

Which door?

Which floor?

LIGHTS CLICK OFF ONE BY ONE — MUZAK SLOWS TO A CRAWL

FEMALE CUSTOMER

I can hear you.

FEMALE CLERK 1 — VERY CLOSE

We can hear you, too.

HARD CUT — SILENCE

NEW SCENE — MORNING STORE AMBIENCE, LIGHTS CLICK ON

FEMALE CLERK 4 — CHEERFUL

Good morning!

FEMALE CLERK 5

Good morning. Anything unusual last night?

FEMALE CLERK 4

Just a customer who got lost.

FEMALE CLERK 5

Poor thing.

PAUSE

FEMALE CLERK 4 — QUIETLY

She'll find her place.

MALE NARRATOR — CALM, UNNERVING

The store is open. The merchandise is ready. And on the ninth floor, a new face has joined the staff.

FEMALE ANNOUNCEMENT — DISTANT, WARPED

Thank you for shopping with us.

ELEVATOR DING — CUT TO DEAD SILENCE