The Canyon

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INT. FOXFIELD FOREST OFFICES - CONFERENCE ROOM - MORNING

ERIC DAVIDSON (30) scribbles a realistic sketch of a stoic

bald man in a suit. This man, an HR REP (50s), sits across a

conference table from Eric.

Surrounding them are several cardboard cut-outs of cartoon

foxes, deer, and moose. The characters of the hit kids’ show,

“FOXFIELD FOREST”. Behind the HR Rep, Farley the Fox wears

sunglasses and a fedora and beams a cartoonish, toothy grin.

Eric’s boss, MR. COHEN (40), enters the conference room and

excitedly approaches the colorful cut-out of Farley.

MR. COHEN

(to the cut-out)

Thanks for meeting with us, Eric!

Mr. Cohen eyes Eric, pantomiming an exaggerated double-take.

Eric plays along, pulling his sunglasses out from his bag.

ERIC:

Haha! I just left the hat at home!

MR. COHEN

What? You’re over there? I can’t

tell you two apart! That’s how well

you’re bringing Farley to life!

Mr Cohen sits down at the conference table.

MR. COHEN (CONT’D)

The sponsors are so happy. What was

the Crate & Barrel tweet last week?

About redesigning your living room?

ERIC:

“Get your paws down to Crate &

Barrel and redecorate your den!”

Mr. Cohen grins at Eric with puzzled enthusiasm.

ERIC (CONT’D)

Like, the den in a house... and

foxes live in dens.

Mr. Cohen erupts in boisterous laughter. The HR Rep stares

back at him sternly. Mr. Cohen stiffens up in response.

MR. COHEN

Eric, we know you’re focused on

advancing with the show. Exhibiting

more creativity.

(MORE)

2.

MR. COHEN (CONT'D)

So we’re proud to announce you’re

no longer our Assistant Director of

Social Marketing. You’re our new

Vice Manager of Social Accounts!

Eric stares back blankly. Crestfallen.

MR. COHEN (CONT’D)

That’s a promotion!

ERIC:

I, uh, thank you. But, didn’t you

get all the illustrations I sent?

Mr. Cohen releases a deep, sympathetic breath and nods.

ERIC (CONT’D)

Yeah, so I thought that’s what this

meeting was gonna be about.

MR. COHEN

Well, that kind of is what this

meeting’s about. The illustrators

are fully staffed this year.

There’s no space for you.

ERIC:

Again? But when I started, you

always said I could transfer over.

You knew that was my whole plan.

MR. COHEN

That was six years ago, Eric. You

were an intern. We weren’t paying

you. We had to tell you something.

Mr. Cohen slides a stack of papers across the table.

MR. COHEN (CONT’D)

Foxfield Forest wants you focused

on your new title. That’s how we

want you being creative. Because we

got a big, new account.

Eric scans the paperwork. His boss nods emphatically.

ERIC:

EnerCron? The coal company? Aren’t

they like the world’s leading agent

of deforestation? How can I promote

them with forest animals?

3.

MR. COHEN

I dunno, Eric. But that’s what

you’re good at! So go get ‘em!

INT. FOXFIELD FOREST OFFICES - ERIC’S OFFICE - LATER

In his cramped office, Eric stares at the poster of Farley

the Fox that covers his wall. Eric fixates on Farley’s

cartoonish grin. It taunts Eric.

He spins around in his chair and attacks his keyboard.

We get close-up flashes of Eric’s jittery typing: “RABID”,

“SPONSORS”, “INSUFFERABLE”, “TARGET”, “KIDS”, “FOXES”, “DIE”,

“HEYNUS”. Eric deletes as red lines appear under the last

word. He types “HYENA-US”. He deletes again. “HEINOUS!!!”

INT. FOXFIELD FOREST OFFICES - OFFICE BULLPEN - LATER

Mr. Cohen stomps across the office bullpen, parting a sea of

cubicles while frantically scrolling on his phone.

MR. COHEN

What is he doing? What the hell is

he doing? Eric, delete those posts!

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