Horrible Bosses Page #7

HARKEN:

Yes?

NICK:

I simulated a number of sales

cycles, factoring in likely end-

users, point-of-sale limitations

and specific demographic

variables.

HARKEN:

And?

NICK:

And in my opinion, an open plan

selling process in our top 30

markets along with targeted

upgrade offers to existing

customers promises the greatest

yield.

Harken nods. Is he impressed?

HARKEN:

Thank you, Nick. Did everyone see

how he did that? Yes, he may be a

pathological liar and have a

crippling drinking problem, but

when the chips are down, Nick has

what it takes.

Nick glows.

HARKEN:

Which brings us to our next order

of business. I've decided who I

want as our new Senior VP of

Sales. He's sitting right here

among you.

Everyone turns to look at Nick.

HARKEN:

It's me.

Everyone's head snaps back to Harken.

NICK:

What?

(CONTINUED)

22.

28 CONTINUED:
(2) 28

HARKEN:

I've decided to absorb the

responsibilities of the Senior VP

position into my own. I realized

if you want something done right,

you do it yourself. So, I'm going

to be knocking down the wall

between my office and what

would've been the Senior VP's to

create a single, enormous office.

However, as a cost-cutting

measure, I will only be taking 85%

of the additional salary I'm

entitled to. It's called self-

sacrifice, people. Learn from

this.

Harken heads out.

29 INT. COMMTRONIX INDUSTRIES - HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER 29

Nick hurries to catch up with Harken.

NICK:

Mr. Harken, can I speak to you?

HARKEN:

What is it?

NICK:

You've been hinting for months

that I was in line for that

promotion.

HARKEN:

And look how hard you've worked.

NICK:

So you've just been lying to me?

HARKEN:

Not lying. Motivating. We're all

on the same team here, Nick.

We're all trying to find Lorenzo's

oil before it's too late for

little Lorenzo. Besides, I'm the

one who's taking on a lot more

work.

(CONTINUED)

23.

29 CONTINUED:
29

NICK:

(barely keeping it

TOGETHER)

Last month you kept me working so

late I didn't get to say goodbye

to Gam Gam!

HARKEN:

What?

NICK:

My grandmother. I told you I

needed to see her but you said I'd

be fired if I left early. She

died before I could get to the

hospital.

(VOICE QUIVERING)

She taught me how to swim --

HARKEN:

Oh, my God. I had no idea... that

you called your grandmother Gam

Gam.

(CHUCKLING)

I don't mean to laugh, but that's

adorable.

(off Nick's outraged

LOOK)

Look, Nick, I'm sorry you didn't

get to say bye-bye to Gam Gam. I

make you work late because you're

an invaluable part of this

operation. And I need you in your

current position.

NICK:

I've been in that position for

eight years now. Why would I stay

here after being treated like

this?!

HARKEN:

Because I will see to it that no

one else in our industry will hire

you.

NICK:

What?

HARKEN:

Anyone who interviews you will

want my letter of recommendation.

And I'm prepared to tell them that

you are a dishonest, insubordinate

drunk.

(CONTINUED)

24.

29 CONTINUED:
(2) 29

NICK:

But that's not true! You can't do

this!

Harken gets directly in Nick's face, speaking softly but

intensely.

HARKEN:

Let me make this clear, you weak,

little f***. I own you. You're

my b*tch. Don't make the mistake

of thinking you have free will.

Because I can crush you any time I

like.

(stepping back,

FRIENDLY AGAIN)

Settle in, friend. You're here

for the long haul.

Harken slaps him hard on the back and continues on his

way, leaving a stunned Nick.

30 INT. PELLIT CHEMICAL CO. - DAY 30

Kurt somberly heads to his desk. He's wearing a dark

suit.

Rate this script:3.3 / 3 votes