The Circle Page #3

- [man] You guys are gonna love this.

- [woman] Okay.

Whoops.

[indistinct chattering]

So I heard there's a party around here.

You know, if that's, like...

your kind of thing.

Yeah, maybe I'll check it out.

It's probably not as interesting

as whatever's on your phone, though.

Okay, probably not.

[indistinct chattering]

- Do you want a drink?

- I do, but they ran out like an hour ago.

I think they did too, but shh.

Are you serious? Whoa.

- You have glasses in there, too?

- It's my party trick.

- Oh.

- All right.

Thank you.

You're new here.

- You are, right?

- How can you tell that?

- I don't know, I just guessed.

- That's really embarrassing.

I'm sorry. [laughs]

What do you think?

- Of this?

- Yeah.

I'm excited.

[sniffs] Mm-hm.

- [chuckles] I'm sorry.

- Okay.

It's just everyone

that works at the Circle

is so excited to be here,

and they just want to tell everyone

about it all the time. It's, you know...

It's like, "Here, try this Kool-Aid!"

- Oh, Kool-Aid?

- "It's delicious. You'll love it."

- Oh, wow!

- I love Kool-Aid.

- [laughs]

- Don't you love Kool-Aid?

[both laughing]

After my last job

where I just tried to, like,

- calm down angry people all day...

- [cell phone buzzes]

I'm just grateful to be here.

I got to go put out a fire.

- Sounds exciting.

- Very. So, uh...

I'll leave you to it.

[laughs]

Have a drink, have a good time,

and stay excited.

You're at the Circle.

[indistinct chattering]

Did he tell me his name? I forgot it.

[sighs]

- Have a good night, guppy.

- Oh! Thanks.

[announcer over PA] Last shuttle

will be leaving in five minutes.

[laughter]

[indistinct chattering]

[chuckles]

[sighs]

["With Fun In My Life" playing on radio]

[Dad] I'm telling you Mae-Mae...

there's something about you.

- You have a glow.

- [Mae chuckles]

- [Mom] You do.

- [Mae] I do not have a glow.

- Like you're with child.

- [laughs]

Ignore him.

So it's been great?

I don't think I ever wanna work

anywhere else.

[exhales]

I told, um, Carolina's mom.

I might've let your salary slip.

- Oh, Mom.

- What?

It's been fun to casually

insert it into conversation.

"My daughter works for the best company

on the planet!

- And has full dental."

- [chuckles]

Please don't. I just got lucky.

- If it wasn't for Annie...

- Annie, how is Annie?

She's good.

- Working too hard.

- What does she do exactly?

She's in the gang of 40.

Uh-huh.

She's in on all the big decisions,

deals with regulatory issues

in other countries.

That sounds important. [chuckles]

Mae, hon, why don't you get your daddy

another beer?

Sure, Dad.

Your hair.

It was a phase.

It was a cute phase.

You good?

I'm good.

You should come visit me at work sometime.

At the Circle?

I'll give that idea a smile.

- [scoffs]

- Hey... [chuckles]

They might think I was there

to clean the toilets.

Come on. They'd love you.

All those tech guys secretly wish

they knew how to use a hand saw,

make something out of wood.

That really sums me up pretty well.

- It could be worse, I guess.

- You know what I mean.

They want you to tell them

about your secret hiking spots.

So they could put them on True You

and ruin it forever?

Ooh, biting commentary.

I mean, come on,

you have to admit, like,

smiles and frowns

used to be for middle school.

Like, "Hey, you know,

do you like stickers and unicorns?"

"Yes, I love stickers and unicorns."

Smile, you know.

And now... now it's everyone.

I can't help it if you're not... social.

I am social enough.

I mean, isn't... this socializing?

I assume you've heard about that senator

that's trying to, like, break you guys up

- citing antitrust laws, right?

- Give me a break, Mercer.

Don't you have to go

and chop some wood or something?

[scoffs]

- Thanks, hon.

- Sure, Dad.

His business is doing well.

Mercer? The antler chandeliers?

They are beautiful, Mae.

He's making one for us.

Did I tell you I'm up to an 87 so far?

They say that's pretty good for a guppy.

- [chuckles]

- Who's a guppy?

[Mom] Well, that's great, Mae.

- Honey?

- [Mom] Hm?

Oh. Come on,

we'll go in the house, come on.

Dad? Don't worry.

- What happened?

- Please, Mae, let your mother.

Honey, just, just...

Just tell everybody

that Dad's not feeling well,

and they'll understand, really.

It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.

- [grunts]

- [Mom] It's okay.

Dad.

Please, Mae.

- [exhales]

- We got it.

[Mom] It's okay.

- Come on.

- [Dad sighs]

[birds squawking]

[sighs]

[sobs]

[Mae] Thanks.

[woman] See you soon, Mae.

Bye.

[indistinct chattering]

[indistinct chatter continues]

[woman] Today, I call upon

the Senate Antitrust Subcommittee

to investigate the Circle.

We cannot rely on them to say,

"We're not violating antitrust laws."

I'm sure the Circle

will be glad to cooperate.

We have every confidence

that Senator Williamson's allegations

will be discredited.

You are probably wondering

about your new screen.

- [chuckles]

- Hi, I'm Gina.

- I'm Matt.

- Hi.

Dan said this would be a good moment

to set up all your socials.

- Do you have time?

- Sure.

[Matt] Great.

I take it last week you were too busy

to set up your company social account,

and I don't think

you've imported your old profile.

Sorry, I've just been

kind of overwhelmed so far.

- Oh.

- No, in a good way.

I just haven't had time yet

for extracurricular stuff.

Wow.

That's so interesting you put it that way.

We actually see your profile

and the activity on it

as integral to your participation here.

This is how your coworkers,

even the ones on the other side of campus,

know who you are.

Communication certainly

isn't extracurricular, right?

Right. Of course.

We consider you a full knowable person

of unlimited potential

and a crucial member of the community.

But you're such an enigma.

I am?

It's been years since someone

so shrouded in mystery started here.

- Everyone really likes you.

- Your work's been exemplary.

Strong ratings for your first week.

Are you satisfied with your performance?

Uh, I think I can do better.

Good, but it's not all about work, okay?

- It's all also about community.

- Of course.

It's all connected.

But you've had a blip or two when it comes

to meshing with the community,

like your absence at several weekend

or evening events.

Which are, of course, optional.

- I'm sorry?

- [Gina] Let's start with this weekend.

You left campus at 11:42 p.m. on Friday

and got back 8:
46 a.m., Monday.

Was there work on the weekend?

- Oh, no, no!

- I didn't... I'm sorry.

Oh, so sweet.

There wasn't mandatory work

on the weekend.

This isn't like a clock in,

clock out type place, thank God!

But, you know,

there were thousands of people here

participating in a hundred

different activities.

So many.

I'm sorry, I, um...

My dad had an... an episode,

and I was home helping out with that.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

Is that related to his MS?

Uh... yeah.

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