I Can't Shut Up conference room, midday.

At the table is:

CHIP - CEO of I Can't Shut Up.

PAUL - Security for Louis Tomlinson and I Can't Shut Up.

RANDY - Guest Representative and Outreach, Sound Editing Manager.

ISABEL - Marketing/Advertising Head, Co-Creative Director.

JASMINE - Finances, Payroll.

Everyone is at the table because CHIP has gathered them here, saying that they need to discuss the future of the company.

CHIP

It's not looking good.

ISABEL

Despite us having a large bump in listeners in the last five days.

CHIP

Yes, despite that. I made the decision to post the last podcast that was recorded, and we only have 16 episodes in the backlogs.

JASMINE

Will Louis be back before then?

PAUL

There is no way to know that for certain.

CHIP

We're going to need to stop every activity except for the podcasts. Meaning that the new merchandise needs to be halted.

ISABEL clenches her fists and then releases them.

RANDY

I'll have to cancel guest appointments.

CHIP

I'd say, if Louis isn't back in four weeks, we'll need to fire all employees that aren't in this room.

JASMINE blinks.

JASMINE

Oh, the paperwork is going to be a nightmare.

PAUL

Could we think of alternate short-time hosts to come in. Timothy could cover a couple of our guest podcasts. We could have Harry come on, even.

CHIP

We'd be delaying the inevitable. Without Louis Tomlinson, we are utterly fucked.

Silence.

JASMINE

Who did this? Have you found out, Chip?

CHIP and PAUL make eye contact.

PAUL stands and leaves the room.

JASMINE

Was it Paul?

CHIP, smiles

No, no. He would never. It was Randy.

Everyone looks at RANDY, who turns red and starts stammering.

RANDY

Why would I do something like that? I work here!

CHIP

The facts don't lie. The IP address of the email you used tracked back to this building. When I talked to Paul, he knew it was you instantly.

PAUL enters, leading HARRY behind him.

HARRY, angry.

You fucker!

PAUL keeps an arm on HARRY to keep him from launching across the room.

CHIP, smiles

You're fired, Randy.

PAUL

I turned the security cameras off.

RANDY stands and moves into the corner defensively.

RANDY

Don't come near me!

HARRY

I am going to rip your limbs off, you bitch.

CHIP, sighs

Why'd you do it, Randy? You two, leave if you don't want to accomplices to a crime.

Exist JASMINE and ISABEL.

PAUL

Answer him, Randy. We want answers.

RANDY looks over at HARRY.

RANDY

To solve all our fucking problems! To make everything easier!

PAUL

He did it because he's jealous. Of how happy Harry and Louis are. And I called him out and then this happened. I should've figured it was you.

CHIP

A school-yard crush? Oh, you got your feelings hurt so you lashed out.

RANDY

Shut up, Chip! He's going to hurt me!

RANDY shouts the last part as HARRY starts moving across the room. One tries to catch the other while the other runs.

CHIP grabs his laptop and moves over to where PAUL is standing by the door.

CHIP

At least we know now.

PAUL

We'll have to hire someone new.

CHIP

His job is pointless if we don't have a podcast to run.

PAUL

He'll come back. Harry, Lottie, and I are going to make sure. The three of us are smart and know him very well.

CHIP

You better find him. We're fucked if you don't.

HARRY catches RANDY and starts punching him repeatedly. PAUL whistles a minute later and HARRY stops and gets up off of his punching bag and heads over to PAUL.

RANDY, whimpering

Do I get severance?

CHIP, laughs

You'll get your last paycheck.

The three of them leave RANDY on the floor and walk down the hallway, with a weird sense of happiness at knowing who caused this situation, but fear not knowing what the future holds.