Phrases

1. This place is the Webster definition of insanity.
2. It's just a bad day, not a bad life.
3. There's no "me" in UPS but there is a U, and and S.
4. I don't make monkeys, I just train them. (In response to someone saying "make me."
5. I lose a little bit of my soul every time I walk in this place.

We see two men entering the door to a factory. One is middle aged looking, strong but visibly worn out (Joe). The other man is in his early twenties (Jason). Though he is visibly younger the young man shows the same signs of weariness. Despite the difference in age, the men are good friends. Both men clock in and walk to the break room with their bag lunches.

The beat at this point is pretty light hearted. The friends exchange jokes and jabs, the camera cutting back and forth between them quickly.

Jason: How’s it goin man? As he’s yawing

Joe: Same shit…

Jason: …different day. You need a new mantra Joe.

Joe: Slightly annoyed I need a new job is what I need.

Jason: Nodding in agreement. No shit. Join the club.

Joe: Defiantly. I started the club, and you haven’t been here long enough to join.

Jason: How many years did you say you have left in this shit hole?

Joe: A good ten. More if the kids keep their grades up and get in to good schools.

Jason: Rooting against them?

Joe: Hell no. I told them they’re not allowed to even think of working in a place like this. I’d work another thirty if that’s what it took.

Jason: Wish my parents had had the same attitude.

The beat takes a more serious tone here. The camera focuses closely on Joe for longer periods of time , cutting only briefly to see Jason taking it all in. The camera is also looking up slightly at Joe and pointing slightly down at Jason giving Joe a presence of authority.

Joe: Why don’t you fuckin’ quit?

Jason: Why didn’t you?

Joe: Fuck off. I’m serious man. You’re young, slightly brighter than most, and have your whole life ahead of you.

Jason: And what would I do if I quit?

Joe: Go back to school, learn a trade, join the circus, shit…anything else.

Jason: It’s not that easy…besides I’m making good money.

Joe: But not great money. That’s how they get you man. They give you just enough to keep you from quitting. You stick around because of the steady paycheck, thinking you’ll move on to something better next year but you never do. You wake up 20 years later wondering what the hell you’ve done with your self.

Jason: Come on man, maybe it will get better. They’re talking about a change in management, maybe even a raise for full timers.

Joe: Again, just enough to keep you from walking out. Listen, this place is the definition of insanity and it will drive you insane. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

Jason: Nods thoughtfully.

Joe: Hey man, I’ll see ya at break. Think about it though. Don’t make the same mistake that I did.

Both walk out to the shop floor to their respective work stations. The beat has slowed considerably, focusing solely on Jason from a distance and then cutting to a closeup of his face, deep in contemplation.