Chapter 1: “Mission Impossible”

Scene 1: The Punk is sitting in a messy, dark room. There is a TV, a telephone,  and a window with flashing lights outside.

News on TV: "...Thousands of people still remain unemployed..  Today the government

announced further crackdowns on suspected terrorists in the city..."

Phone rings.

Punk: "Hey , what's up...Yeah, still no job ..Man, I'm sick of being broke!..

(sentence is interrupted by gunfire from outside) Hold on a second..I can't hear you over

this racket.."

Opens window. Outside a soldier is blowing a man's head off.

Punk: (Yelling at soldier) "HEY COULD YOU KEEP IT DOWN OUT THERE! (Returns

to phone) Sorry..Yeah, just some stupid police security actions..I'm getting pretty tired of their crap. What? You might have a job for me? Meet you on the South Side later tonight? Cool..I'll be there!"

Scene 2: The Punk walks to The South Side  He passes a group of ominous police men with an armoured vehicle who tell him to move on. Then he passes a group of people watching a burning car. He reaches his destination and is panhandled by some bums on the step. A face with horn-rim glasses appears in the door.

Punk:"Hey, I'm here for the meeting"

Nerd with Glasses: "Shhh! Come on in.."

They enter a dim room with 2 equally nerdy looking guys, one with a goatee, the other with a wool cap, pouring over piles of documents, maps, etc.

Nerd:  "Let me introduce you to the gang...Bob 1 and Bob 2.”

PUNK: “How you guys doing?”

Bob 1: “How ya doing?..(Turns back to Bob 2) So anywayI was killing a soldier but missed..Instead took out several schoolkids and a car. Made the international news THAT night!”

Bob 2: “That’s pretty cool but check THIS out..I took out a whole armored vehicle this morning”

Bob 1: “No way!!”

Bob 2: “Hell yeah..And it get’s better. It turns out it was an escort for the secretary of state so not only did I get 3 soldiers, but you know who’s responsible for the crackdown where 100’s of civilians got shot? “(Smiles and points to himself)

Punk: " Wait a second, you guys are terrorists! This is the job you're setting me up with?? Being a terrorist"

Nerd: "Terrorist is such a dirty word...We prefer to be called"Freedom Fighters"..And yes we can hire you to help us with a little hijacking we have planned."

Punk: "Terrorism, huh? Pointless annoying disruption possibly leading to the death of innocent people..I don't know..On the other hand I could use the money."

Bob 1: "Great! Then it's settled. Here's the equipment  you'll need for your

assignment.."(Holds out an can of spray paint)

 Punk: "WHAT?? I'm supposed to create mayhem with spray paint?? Why can't I use my gun or my knife?"

BOB 2:  "A Gun? That's too obvious. We are terrorists: The art is to make weapons from the things that people least expect . We're not

boring , ordinary criminals, you know..."

Nerd with Hat: "You will be instructed by phone where to go when the time comes. In the meantime here's your check..Don't cash it until we finish our job."

Scene 3: The Punk is Leaving the building

Punk: "OK ..That was pretty weird but at least I'm going to get paid.."

(The shadow of a policeman comes from behind)

Policeman: "HALT!!"

Punk: "Is there a problem officer?"

Policeman: "There are reports of suspicious activity in this building. Let me check your

bag.. (Looking through The Punk's Knapsack )"Hmm..let's see..A gun..A knife...Wait a

second what's this (Pulls out spray paint) Spray paint? Are you a GRAFITTI ARTIST?"

PUNK: "Umm..Ah..No.. I use it to spray over Um..Offensive left-wing media lies when I read the news paper.

Policeman: " Very good citizen...You may proceed."

Scene 4: Back at the punk's apartment

Punk: " Whew ..THAT was a little too close..." (Phone rings, Punk picks it up) "Hello?"

Voice on other end: "Hello. This is Mr. Terrance Rist. I have some "Special information" for you."

Punk: " Geez..That's the worst pseudonym I've ever heard. I Know who you are and what you want."

Voice: " You're no fun! OK, I might as well be straight..Meet me at the crosstown bus tomorrow at 7..and don't forget the spray paint."

Punk: "You mean the actual spray paint or is that code for something?"

Scene 5: Punk at the bus stop with a bunch of disgruntled commuters. Nerd walks up.

Punk: "Hi"

Nerd: "Shh. Act Inconspicuous."

Bus pulls up, they get on the bus.

Bus Driver: ( Announcing to passengers) " Attention..1 Government Plaza Next!"

Nerd:  (To Punk)"OK..Get ready.."(Suddenly stands up and addresses the bus)

" Attention commuters!! We are the High Warriors of Exalted Freedom and we are commandeering this bus until our demands are met!!If they are not we will spray insulting messages with these cans of spray paint!"

Suddenly another passenger stands up.

2nd Passenger: "Hey!! You stole our plan!! We're the Super Revolutionary Mega -Force And WE'RE commandeering this bus with an out-of date ham sandwich. We'll make you eat it and you might get sick!

A 3rd passenger stands up

3rd Passenger: "Hold on you..I represent the Defense League of Ordinary and Sometimes Overly Political Citizens and I am holding you all hostage with this

Nerd: "Oh for Pete's sake..Is there anyone on this bus who doesn't have an agenda, isn't a freedom fighter, revolutionary, anarchist, or just plain nut!!??"

Passengers on the Bus: "I am.." "Me too"

Suddenly he is interrupted by a loud klaxon like sound

Nerd: "What the hell was that?"

Flash to scene  outside showing an armoured vehicle pulling up behind bus. There is a soldier with a bullhorn riding on top.

Soldier: "Attention all terrorists....You have 4 seconds to turn yourselves over or suffer the consequences.4..."

Punk:" This plan sure has backfired, huh?"

Soldier: "3.."

Busdriver: "So..um..What do all you terrorists want me to do now"

Soldier: "2.."

Nerd: "I don't know..Give me a second to think.."

Soldier: "1...FIRE"

Huge explosion.

Scene 6: Smoke clears. Punk comes to on ground surrounded by the burning wreckage of the bus.

Punk: "Ouch..I guess I'm OK...I better get out of here before they start asking questions.." (Starts walking away) "Well...That was a bust but at least I still have my check.."

Cut to scene of punk at a check cashing window

Woman behind window: "I'm sorry sir but this check is no good.

Punk: "@#%$%&%$^%%!!!!"

Chapter 2  “Information Technician”:

Scene 1:Punk is back in his living room watching a TV and drinking a beer.

Punk: (To himself):” Well…The terrorist thing didn’t really pan out and here I am again..Disgruntled, tired, and broke”

Ad on TV: “Tired? Disgruntled? Broke? “

Punk: “Yes, Yes?”

Ad :”Then how about a career working for THE OCCUPATION FORCES?”

(Music comes up accompanied by images of smiling soldiers giving food to natives, patting the heads of children, etc.)

“That’s right, your benevolent occupation forces need YOU to spread freedom and democracy across the country. Join now at a government office TODAY (Paid for by The Department of Cutural Control)”

Punk: “ PLEASE! As if I’m going to fall for that cheap propaganda…”

Phone rings, Punk picks it up

Voice on Phone: “ Hey, this is your landlord..Remember me? You better have the rent by the end of the  week you cheap bastard or you’re out on your ass – You hear me!!?? End of the week…”

Punk slams down the phone, sighs: “Suddenly I’m feeling very patriotic..”

Scene 2: Punk arrives at the government office . There’s a huge line of 100’s of people.

Punk: “Hmm..Line’s not so bad today”

Gets into line. A dufus comes up behind him and strikes up a conversation.

Dufus: (Cheerily) “Hiya there..Here for a job too?”

 Punk: “Um..Yeah..Obviously..”

Dufus: “ I’m so exited! I love the new government and it’s so great that I have the opportunity to serve them!”

Punk: “I hate to remind you but you’re unemployed ..That’s why you’re standing in this line”

Dufus (Oblivious) “ Yep..But I can vote now!”

A tough looking guy in front of The Punk interrupts

Tough Guy: “Don’t listen to him..He’s an idiot..”

Punk: “You got that right…I can’t believe I have to suffer this indignity…”

Tough Guy: “You think you have it bad? I was a soldier for the old regime..I would have shot him in a second ..”

Punk: (Skeptically) “Really? ..How interesting.  Actually you goons shot several of my friends.”

Tough Man: “Ahh..Those were the days..”

Moment of silence as The Punk looks at both from side to side.

Punk: “Well..This should be fun..”

8 hours later…Punk approaches a window with a bored looking clerk.

Clerk: “Let me guess.. You need a job.”

Punk: “Nah ..I just like to stand in lines . It’s a hobby..Nice break from being a millionaire playboy.”

Clerk: “OK wiseguy..What are your qualifications?”

Punk: “I have a masters in political science.”

(Pause ..Clerk looks at Punk in disbelief.)

Clerk: “Seriously..”

Punk: “I am being serious.”

Clerk “ Ok then..Since you’re so smart I have the perfect job for you: Information Technician”

Punk: “Doesn’t sound so bad..”

Clerk: (Sarcastically)“ Sure..You’ll be hanging up pro-occupation posters on The West Side..”

The punk leaves with an arm full of posters .

Punk: “God…I feel like such a tool..”

Scene 3: The punk arrives at The West Side, a scary looking ghetto decimated by warfare.

Punk: “Not so familiar with this part of town.. I’ll see if this guy knows where I am.”

Walks up to man on street looking at his watch.
Punk: “Excuse me, I’m a little lost..I was wondering if you could  tell me where..”

Man on Street: “Hold on..3-2-1”, (abruptly shouts) “ For the greater glory of God!!” Then explodes.

Punk: (Picking himself off the ground) “There’s a cab..Maybe he can help..”

Walks over to cab, “Excuse me, I’m trying to get directions to..”

Cab Driver: “Only one place we’re going ..The kingdom of heaven!!” Then the cab explodes.

Punk: “Jeezus Christ..There’s a store over there- Maybe I can..”

Store explodes.

Punk stands in shock then hears a voice behind him.

“Mister?Mister?”

Turns around and there’s an adorable little girl behind him “Maybe I can help?”

Punk screams and runs away.

He rounds a corner and sees a scary looking gang of ruffians with sun glasses on.

Gang Leader: “Well, well, well..What have we here? Where are you going with those posters friend? You wouldn’t happen to be working for the occupation now would you?”

Punk: “Ah..Um..”

Gang Leader: “Because we hate the occupation and we might have to make an example of you.” They gather around The Punk threateningly.

Punk: “Listen friend..You’ve got it all wrong..We’re on the same side..I’m working for The Grand Exalted Warriors of The Rising Sun..These are ANTI- occupation posters..”

Gang Leader: “Ah well that’s different..You’re one of us then! Can I see one of those posters?”

Punk: “No!..I mean they’re so dangerous I don’t want to release them too quickly and ruin the shock value.”

Gang Leader: “I’m impressed ..You are quite the revolutionary”

Gang Member: “Boss..Look!!”

Some soldiers round the corner..

Solider: “You’re all under arrest! Who’s your leader?”

Gang Leader pauses and points to The Punk: “He is!”

Soldier “Shoot HIM!”

Punk: “Wait! I lied! I’m working for The Occupation!”

Gang Leader: “WHAT?? SHOOT HIM!!”

The Punk drops to the ground as they shoot each other. A huge battle erupts as The Punk crawls away and flees unnoticed.

He stops and drops the posters in a trash can..

Punk : “It’s not worth the money..I’m going home..”

Close up of the poster in the trash can. It’s a smily face that says “Everything is fine!”

Chapter 3 “The Musician’s Tale”

The Punk is walking home and hears music.

Punk: “ Hey..I wonder what’s going on..”

He sees a poster on the wall that says “Free concert today at Government Plaza:ULTIMO”

Punk: “ Cool! These guys are great..This should lift my spirits!”          

He walks into the square. There’s a small crowd of dispirited looking people watching the band on a stage. Soldiers survey the scene from either side of the stage.

Lead Singer in Band: “Thank you! I’d just like to say that this concert has been brought to you by our benevolent occupation forces…Give them a big hand of applause!” (Tepid applause from the audience)”When you see an officer give him a smile and say thank you! Thank you for my freedom!”

Punk: (Under his breath) “What the…?”

Singer: “So I dedicate this next song to these hard working soldiers..”

Goes into a cheesy jingoistic number..

Punk: “Man this sucks..I gotta find out what’s going on..”

The singer finishes his song and leaves the stage. Punk follows him backstage

Punk: “ Hey you! I gotta talk to you.”

Singer: (Wearily): “Let me guess..You want to ask me about my music ..”

Punk: “ Um..Yeah..How did you know?”

Singer: “ Look..I’ll explain..I’ve got to get it off my chest”(Looks nervously around) “Let’s get away from these guards..Come with me to my trailer.”

They go to the trailer. The Singer pours himself a drink and plops exhaustedly into a chair.

Singer: “ Thank God that’s over..You don’t know what I’ve been through..”

Punk: (Mutters)”..MMM…I think I have some idea..”

Singer: “Ok” (Takes drink) “Let me tell you how we got here..

Flashback:

“As you know we were one of the hottest underground bands in the land..True, The Government didn’t like us but the people LOVED us , so they let us play. Then the war came and then the occupation. The occupation forces didn’t understand the dance and threatened to imprison us if we kept playing. What else could we do? Playing music is all we knew and we had families to support, so I struck a deal..They would let us play if we supported The Occupation. It seemed reasonable at the time, I had no idea how bad it would backfire..The first thing that happened was when my oldest friends in the band refused to go with it..They called me traitor and left, never to speak to me again. Then our fans began to dismiss us as sellouts…But the worst part was touring the occupied lands. Only a year ago we played to dancehalls full of exuberant crowds, this time we played to small lifeless crowds in bombed out towns, only there because there was nothing else left to do- People afraid to dance or shout because of these stupid soldiers everywhere (Shakes his fist at the door) I saw the soul of my country die and my own soul went with it..So now (starts crying) Here we are…”

Punk: “ ..I gotta go..I’m sorry man..Rock on…”

Leaves the singer head in hands, sobbing.

Walks out past the now empty stage, and out a gate with the poster half torn, blowing in the wind.

Chapter 4 “RIOT!”

Scene 1:Punk is looking in his refridgerator. It’s empty except for a couple of beers and some random looking objects.

Punk: (Thinks) “Hmm..No food..Better go down to the store”

Scene 2: Punk is approaching the store. There’s a disgruntled looking line of people out the door with some soldiers standing near.

Punk: (To a guy in the line)”What’s gong on?”

Guy in line: “Didn’t you hear? Some stupid terrorists blew up the highway..There’s a food shortage now!”

Punk:”Um..What about that truck over there?”

Points to a  truck past the soldiers with “Army Food” written on the side.

Mumbling, the crowd starts to move over to the truck .

Soldier: “Hey! Where do you think you’re going..That’s army food!”

Woman in crowd: “We’ve been waiting for hours! We want food! We want food! (The crowd joins in) We want food!We want food!”

Soldier: “Stop or I’ll shoot!!!”

A wall of rioters crushes the soldier. “Kill them all! Kill them all!”

Man in crowd: “Let’s burn their trucks!”

Crowd: “Burn their trucks! Burn their trucks!”

They set fire to the food truck.

Punk: “What are you doing??”

Crowd: “What are we doing? What are we doing?”

Suddenly there’s a siren and an armored vehicle with soldiers pulls up.

Soldier on bull horn: “Attention! Disperse immediately or we’ll be forced to use anti-riot tactics.”

The wall of rioters comes closer .

2^nd Soldier:(Nervously) “..Um..Sir, they’re not stopping”

Soldier: “Deploy the bean-bags!”

A bunch of bean bags are fired into the crowd, which promptly eats them.

2^nd Soldier: “Oh god it’s not stopping them..It’s only feeding them and making them stronger!”

Soldier:”Steady soldier..We have the latest in crowd control..Deploy the paralysis foam!!”

A big wad of foam spews out of the vehicle, burying it in place.

Man in crowd: “Kill them..They can’t get away!”

Soldiers: “AAAAGGHHH!!”

The Punk watches as the mob overtakes the frozen soldiers. Picks a beanbag off the ground and walks away munching. 

“.Snacks are on the house..”

Chapter 5 “Meanwhile..Far Away”

Wordless montage:

1.   An alarm clock goes off. A hand reaches up and turns it off.

2.   A yawning man rises out of bed.

3.   He eats breakfast while reading a paper.

4.   He kisses his wife goodbye and goes out to his car.

5.   He drives down through the country to a sparkling high tech facility nestled in the hills.

6.   He is seen examining plans on a factory floor. A jet plane sits behind him.

7.   The jet is seen exiting the factory.

8.   The man is driving home as the jet flies overhead.

9.   The man is drinking a martini and watching TV.

10.Close-up of the TV .. There is an image of bombs dropping from a jet.

The Punk returns home to find smoking ruins where his apartment was.

Punk: “MY HOUSE!!” (Drops to his knees) “What kind of person would do this!??”

Chapter 6: “Church”

Scene One: Punk is sitting in the burned out remains of his house, watching TV and drinking a beer.

Newscaster on TV: “Rioting continued today destroying several more food-trucks, an ambulance, a pre-school..”

The phone rings

Punk: (Picking up the phone) “Hello?” (Incomprehensible yammering on the other end) “Yeah,yeah..I’ll get you that rent money” (Slams down phone) “Asshole..Gotta get out of here !”

Scene Two: The Punk is downtown in a city square. He sees a gathering of various holy men preaching to the passing crowds.

Punk: (To himself) “Holymen, huh? My house has been blown up, I have no prospects..Religion sounds pretty good right now.”

(Approaches one of the holymen) “Excuse me!”

Holyman: “Yes my child..Do you have a question?”

Punk: “Yeah. Why does my life suck?”

Hoyman: “It is God’s will, He is punishing us for our sins.”

Punk: “ God’s will..OK.. So by punishing us he sides with the unbelievers? Why not switch sides?

Pause- Holyman looks baffled. At that moment another holyman steps in.

Holyman 2: “Don’t listen to that hypocrite. You know why he doesn’t speak? Because he doesn’t have an answer. He preaches cowardice cloaked in God’s will..I on the other hand preach the gospel of action. God justifies that which we give ourselves, my child…”

Sudddenly another holyman cuts in.

Holyman 3: “Not so fast you self-indulgent worm! Your sect is notheing more than a bunch of liars and thieves posing as holymen..Where is the compassion? Where is the goodwill?”

Holyman 2: (Sneering) “Ohh, big questions..Here’s another one for you..What’s the sound of one hand clapping? (Smacks Holyman 3 in the face- All 3 fall on the ground shouting) “Secretarian! Reformer! Charlatan!”

The Punk stands watching, shaking his head with disgust. An old man joins him laughing.

Old Man: “Well, there’s your truth for you..”

Punk: “It’s pretty depressing..I guess there’s no God..”

Old Man: “Really? It seems to me we all earned something here today.”

Punk: “How do you do it old man?.. How have you gotten through all these years?”

Old Man: “You want to know? Don’t anything too seriously, least of all yourself..Who can possibly explain all this madness (Gestures to the fighting holymen and the surrounding city) Corrupt governments fall for even more corrupt governments..Innocents die..The rich get richer and the poor get poorer..Why? For what? After a while you don’t care..So why not laugh?”

He walks away.

Punk: (To himself)”That’s good advice actually..”

Chapter 7: “The Terries”

Scene one: The Punk is back in his house watching TV when the phone rings. It’s his friend The Nerd on the other line.

Nerd: “Hey Punk, how’s it going?”

Punk: “You!-You’ve got some nerve! Those terrorists you hooked me up with never paid me!”

Nerd: “Oh yeah..I’ve had it with those jerks..I work for the Soldiers of The Resplendent Light now..Much cooler. I’m onto some real money now.”

Punk(sullen) “Whatever..So whaddya want?”

Nerd: “You wanna go to the annual terrorist expo? I gotta couple passes..”

Punk: (Perking up)“Holy crap, you got passes to The TERRIES?! How’d you do that??”

Nerd: “Told ya..Hanging with much cooler people now, the real deal…You’ll see..

I’ll pick you up at 6:00”

Scene Two: Later that evening. The Nerd takes The Punk down to the rich part of town,  where there are huge walled off mansions guarded by gangsters in suits . They approach one particularly huge estate.

 Punk: “I’ve never been to this part of town..But I recognize this place from TV..It belongs to that big industry magnate, Mr. Megalopolis, who owns Megacorp..Is this how we’re getting to The Terries?”

Nerd: “Actually it’s where The Terries are..”

Punk: “ I don’t get it.”

Nerd: “ He sells to The Occupation but he has roots in the underground..He’s been supporting our cause for years..Hedging his bets, you know?”

Punk: “Isn’t he afraid of getting caught?”

Nerd: “Please..He’s a billionaire..He OWNS half of The Occupation!”

They approach the gate..Some guards stop them.

Guard: “HALT! What’s the password?”

Nerd: “”Money makes the underworld go around.””

Guard: “Go in brother..Have one of these on the house.”(Hands them both handguns)

Punk: “ Um, thanks “ (Whispers to Nerd) “I already have a few of these..” (Tosses it over his shoulder)

They enter a ballroom full of people, booths, and a fasion walkway.

Nerd: “Wow! All the big players are here.. # 10 from The Megalords of The Exalted Light ..Agent X from The Black Warriors .. They say he blew up a highway and sabotaged an entire Red Cross shipment of food.”

The lights go out and the music comes up.

MC on PA: “Ladies and gentlemen..Freedom fighters and anarchists.. Presenting the latest and sexiest in weaponry and covert devices.. First from the U.S. er..”Freedomland” a laser guided smart weapon that maximizes collateral damage by seeking out innocent women and children.. “ (A blond woman in a bikini walks out with an oversize gun. The crowd applauds)” ..Yes, perfect for defeating those annoying threats to democracy. “ (Laughter).

“Yes..Yes..Moving on…We have from The Far Eastern exotic new missle..Check out the curves on this baby! And now for this Fall’s lineup (pun intended, of course!)  enough Anthrax to kill an entire country in a tiny can of Gatorade!”

Cut back to The Punk drinking a soda in the audience. He stops spits it out and looks at the can dubiously.

MC: “And now the man who made this all possible..Mr. Megalopolis!”

(Crowd goes wild as a well-dressed man walks down the runway with a girl in each arm.

Nerd: “Oh my god it’s him..It’s really him! “(He leans out to shake his hand as we walks by) “I’m such a huge fan!”

Mr. Megalopolis: “Thank you, thank you..Keep fighting son and one day you can achieve anything.”

Nerd (to Punk): “Man I’d give anything to spend a day in his shoes!”

Chapter 7 “Everything happens for a reason.”

Scene One:

Mr. Megalopolis comes off the runway and walks backstage where there’s an entourage waiting for him. An assistant hands him a phone.

Assistant: “It’s the president sir..He’d like to speak with you.”

Mr. Megalopolis(Taking phone): “Hello? Megalopolis here..”

President (On split screen): “Megalopolis could you get down here. We have an urgent situation.”

Mr. Megalopolis: “Very well. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

(Hands phone back to his assistant) “To the limousine!”

Scene Two: The president’s office. Mr. Megalopolis walks in. The President is behind a desk with a bishop on one side and a general on the other.

President: (Handing out introductions)“Megalopolis I think you’ve met my cabinet/ My head of the department of cultural control, Minister White/ My head of military, General Black.”

Mr. Megalopolis: “We’ve done business together. What is this all about?”

President: “I’ll be blunt. My buddies at the country club are complaining that their stocks are going down. I’m beginning to lose face..We need to crank up the heat on this conflict.”

Mr. M: “Very well..What can we do?”

President: “ Well I’ve got ol’ Whitey here punping up the religious factor and taking over pop music…The general is coordinating the counterinsurgency with experimental new tactics.”

Mr. M:”So all your options have been exhausted then.”

President: “Well..That’s why you’re here.”

Mr. M: “OK I have an idea..What we need to do is diversify. Open war is fine, but can only go on for so long. You can only push the population so far before they rebel.What you need to do is to create the illusion of peace and prosperity. Build some factories..Keep the people occupied.”

Minister White: “We can have them make religious icons and posters and t-shirts of various pop stars.” 

.Mr. M.:”Exactly!”

General Black: “Wait a second..What about the Military?What to we do?”

Mr.M: “Not a problem. We can use the religious aganda to keep a low grade war going between various factions. In this case we’ll actually be the good guys.”

General Black: “My god it all synchs perfectly..It’s brilliant!”

Minister White: “Couldn’t this all backfire. What if people find out we’re all working together?”

President: “What does it matter? Either way we’re still making money!”

(A servant walks in with drinks.)

Mr. M: “A toast then to our arrangement” (Lifts wineglass) “VIVA LA REVOLUTION!”

All Laugh.

Chapter 9 “Got a Job”

Scene One: Later that night.The Punk goes home to find a guy  looting his bombed-out apartment.

Punk: “Um..What are you doing in what-used-to-be –my-house?”

Looter: (Cheerily) “ Just taking a few things- Someone else got your TV unfortunately, but I scored your phone answering machine and DVD player..You wouldn’t happen to know where the remote for that is, would you?”

Punk: “Damned if I know..I could never seem to to find it when my house was still standing.”

Looter: “Bummer..It’s a nice DVD player. Well, I’m off..Have a nice evening.”

Punk: (Wearily) “Yeah you too..Thanks for picking over my life.”

Looter: “Oh yeah..Before I go you got a message from Megacorp- They want to hire you to work at that new factory across town. See? Don’t feel so bad..You can buy all your stuff back.” (Winks at Punk and leaves)

Punk: (To Himself) “I can’t believe it…I finally got a job…”

Scene Two: The next morning. The Punk is walking up to a giant factory with “Megacorp” written on the top. He goes inside into an office.  A receptionist at a window looks up as he comes in and says, “Down the hall to the left” He goes to a hall lined with doors. A man passes him and says “Keep going..” The Punk keeps going and sees a door with a sign. It says “All applicants go upstairs to room 8”. He goes up a staicase and  enters a room  with a bureaucrat behind a desk. He immediately goes into a spiel.

Bureaucrat: (Quickly) “Ah, come in..We’ve been expecting you. We have some positions open on the assembly line. We pay $2 an hour. No benefits. You start immediately..Thank you, you are dismissed.”

Punk: “Ouch..I mean OK..Um.. Before I go can I ask a question?”

Bureaucrat: “Yes?”

Punk: “What do you make here?”

Bureaucrat: “Tiny flags , religious bobble-heads, and posters of popstars”

Scene Three: The Punk is on an assembly line, talking to himself. With each line the camera zooms in closer and closer..

Punk: “I guess this how it ends..The things I’ll do to survive…It seems hardly worth it..I ask “Why?” and there’s no answer..” (Sighs) “Well..It’s like the old man said..All that’s left is to laugh..” (Starts laughing like maniac…The camera keeps zooming in on his haggard, crazed eyes…Tears begin to well up)

“HA HA HA HA HA”

THE END