Up in the Air Page #12

73.

EXT. TARMAC, MIAMI INTERNATIONAL - DAY

We’re watching Ryan through the window of the plane. He

almost looks trapped.

EXT. TARMAC, DETROIT INTERATIONAL - DAY

The plane lands amidst snow.

INT. RENTAL CAR, DETROIT HIGHWAY - DAY

Ryan and Natalie drive in silence. The weather is frigid.

RYAN:

These Detroit guys can be tough.

They’ve been getting hammered. Don’t

get distracted. Stick to the simple

stuff. Get the packet in their hands

and get them out the door.

EXT. DETROIT CAR PART COMPANY - DAY

A one story brick building. There’s an inch of snow on the

ground. Ryan and Natalie enter the building in silence.

INT. DETROIT COMPANY - DAY

Ryan and Natalie check in at the front desk.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, DETROIT COMPANY - DAY

The door opens. Ryan and Natalie enter, when they both see

something and immediately stop short.

Sitting on the conference table is a COMPUTER set up for a

VIDEO CONFERENCE.

Framed up in a WINDOW on the screen is CRAIG GREGORY.

CRAIG GREGORY:

Welcome to Detroit.

Natalie and Ryan exchange a look.

RYAN:

What’s going on here?

74.

CRAIG GREGORY:

I’ve been getting those great

numbers over the last few days.

Thought we should nut up and give

this a try.

RYAN:

We could use a little more time.

CRAIG GREGORY:

Gotta leave the nest at some point.

RYAN:

This is a real company, Craig.

We’re here to do some damage.

CRAIG GREGORY:

I know. Good thing we brought our

best. So let’s stop screwing

around, alright?

Ryan sighs.

RYAN:

Just give me a minute to prepare

and get my things together.

CRAIG GREGORY:

I was thinking Natalie takes this one.

Natalie, once confident, now takes pause.

RYAN:

She’s hardly ready for this.

CRAIG GREGORY:

I’ve been watching her. She’s great.

RYAN:

(re:
the webcam)

This is a whole other animal...

CRAIG GREGORY:

I mean, she created it. Natalie,

you not up for it?

NATALIE:

I’m... I’m game.

CRAIG GREGORY:

Atta girl.

75.

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM, DETROIT COMPANY - MOMENTS LATER

Ryan and Natalie have a moment aside.

RYAN:

Just remember, don’t apologize.

Don’t tell them how hard this is

for you. Today is one of the worst

days they will ever have. What we

feel doesn’t even compare.

NATALIE:

Got it.

RYAN:

Just keep it professional. You’re

going to do fine.

INT. CRAIG GREGORY’S OFFICE, CTC - LATER

Craig is leaning back in his office chair, watching Natalie

on his monitor.

INT. ALTERNATE CONFERENCE ROOM, DETROIT COMPANY - DAY

An unsuspecting man in his mid fifties enters the room and

takes a seat at a COMPUTER TERMINAL.

(for the remainder of the scene, we will intercut between

Natalie’s room and the POV of the man’s iChat session.)

NATALIE:

Hello, Mr. Samuels. My name is

Natalie Keener.

SAMUELS:

(checking out the PC)

What’s going on here?

NATALIE:

I wish I was here with better news,

however your position here at

Deckers is no longer available.

SAMUELS:

What are you talking about?

NATALIE:

You’ve been let go.

76.

SAMUELS:

What, just like that? I can’t

believe... Who are you?

NATALIE:

My name is Miss Keener. I am here

to tell you about your options...

SAMUELS:

I work here for seventeen years and

they send some fourth grader in here

to can me? What the f*** is this?!

Ryan fights the urge to jump in. He is sitting next to

Natalie, but just out of view of the camera.

NATALIE:

It’s perfectly normal to be upset.

However, the sooner you can tell

yourself that there are greater

opportunities waiting for you...

SAMUELS:

Greater opportunities? I’m fiftyseven-

f***ing years old!

Mr. Samuels is now on the verge of tears. Eyes red.

NATALIE:

Anybody who ever built an empire,

or changed the world, sat where you

are now. And it’s because they sat

there that they were able to do it.

We remain in the room with Natalie and Ryan, but we hear Mr.

Samuels crying. It’s loud and embarrassing. It’s coming from

the next room. He’s literally on the other side of the wall.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

There’s a packet in front of you.

Samuels picks up the packet and opens it.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

I want you to take some time and

review it.

Samuels begins to leaf through.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

All the answers you’re looking for

are inside those pages.

(MORE)

77.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

The sooner you trust the process,

the sooner your next step in life

will unveil itself.

Samuels puts down the packet. The tears still coming slowly.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

I need you to return to your office

now and begin to put together your

personal things.

Samuels doesn’t move. He’s just sitting there in a daze.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Thank you for your time, Mr. Samuels.

No reaction. Just more silent tears. Natalie is getting nervous.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Mr. Samuels? There’s nothing else

we can discuss now.

(and again)

Thank you for your time.

Ryan fights the urge to break in as Natalie continues to lose

her composure.

Craig leans into his computer, watching intently.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Mr. Samuels... Mr. Samuels.... MR.

SAMUELS...

Finally, Samuels breaks from his daze. He looks up and around

for a second, then gets up and leaves.

Natalie catches her breath. A second later, Samuels passes

their room, visible through the conference room windows. They

watch as he walks away.

RYAN:

You did good.

Natalie nods.

RYAN (CONT’D)

You okay? Want me to take over.

NATALIE:

No, I’m alright.

Natalie pulls out a LIST OF FORTY NAMES. The amount of people

is daunting. She crosses off the first name.

78.

EXT. PARKING LOT, DETROIT CAR PART COMPANY - AFTERNOON

We find Natalie standing next to the rental car. She’s staring

into a snow drift. Her eyes say everything - She just grew up.

Meanwhile, Ryan is on his CELL. We catch the end of his

conversation with Craig.

RYAN (CONT’D)

... We just got out here. That was

one place. I think we need to try a

few more...

(listens)

Maybe there isn’t a difference, but

it’s comforting to know we’re in

the next room.

(listening)

I know you don’t give a sh*t about

my comfort.

(listens)

We could just use a little more

time. That’s all I’m saying.

(listens)

Right... Right.

(shakes his head)

Yeah... Alright... Uh huh. Bye.

Ryan hangs up.

RYAN (CONT’D)

He thought you did a great job. You

did - I was real proud of you.

NATALIE:

Thanks.

RYAN:

We’re being pulled off the road.

(clarifying)

We’re going home.

NATALIE:

For good?

RYAN:

That’s what it looks like.

A moment of mixed emotions.

INT. RYAN’S ROOM, DETROIT HILTON - NIGHT

Ryan is holding the LARGE EMBOSSED ENVELOPE of his sister’s

WEDDING INVITATION.

79.

He pulls out the RESPONSE CARD, looks at the line for extra

guests, then sets it down. He pulls out the actual

INVITATION. It looks inexpensive. Sighs.

INT. NORTH TERMINAL, DETROIT AIRPORT - MORNING

Ryan and Natalie ride the MOVING WALKWAY. Something is on

Natalie’s mind. She speaks up.

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