Theater · 011
Outstanding Employee
In 1920s New York, a boss takes back wages in exchange for medals. With a cap and a pair of scissors, Opportunist and Collector recover their money. A story without dialogue ends in the present day.
Open immersive readerDialogue and scene descriptions
1. A Wordless Title
A monochrome New York street merges with a garment workshop. Opportunist and Collector work beside a huge-bellied boss. A laurel emblem in the smoke shows a bent worker carrying an enormous star medal.
(Wordless scene)
2. Wages Already Earned
The pair finish the garments and hand them to the boss. He places coins in their open hands, then raises two star medals.
(Wordless scene)
3. The New Rule
The boss points to a chalkboard. The entire garments-for-coins row is crossed out; below it, garments earn a medal. He holds out his hand for the coins the workers just received.
(Wordless scene)
4. Into His Pocket
The boss takes back both workers’ wages and pours the coins into his bulging square pocket. Each worker receives a medal, leaving their hands empty.
(Wordless scene)
5. A Moment at the Mirror
Opportunist flatters the boss into posing in front of a mirror while Collector crouches beside his coat. Opportunist holds his cap beneath the pocket as Collector lifts its fabric, ready to cut.
(Wordless scene)
6. Taking Their Wages Back
Collector cuts a small opening in the bottom of the pocket. Coins fall through into Opportunist’s cap. The pair check the recovered money while the boss keeps admiring himself.
(Wordless scene)
7. She Is Not Finished
Opportunist is ready to leave with the cap of coins, but Collector widens the cut. The remaining coins scatter around the boss’s shoes, finally drawing his attention.
(Wordless scene)
8. The Boss’s Choice
The boss reaches after the departing workers, then notices a rolling coin beside his shoe. He crouches to gather his money as they leave the workshop. Collector’s scissors are tucked into her apron pocket.
(Wordless scene)
9. Split It and Leave
Opportunist and Collector divide the recovered wages from the cap and leave. The boss remains inside, gathering coins from the floor.
(Wordless scene)
10. Now, 02:17
In a colored-pencil office, a computer confirms delivery. A 2025 Employee of the Year trophy sits on the desk; the wall names ChatGPT Employee of the Month beneath a Codex icon. A phone records clock-out and delivery at 02:17, but rejects the overtime request for lack of prior approval. Paid overtime: 0 hours.
02:17
All work automatically delivered to the client.
Submit overtime request
2025 Employee of the Year
Employee of the Month: ChatGPT
Clock-out: 02:17
Work delivered: 02:17
Overtime request: REJECTED
Reason: No prior approval
Paid overtime: 0 hours
11. Closing Card
White type on black quotes Karl Marx: “The more powerful labor becomes, the more powerless becomes the worker.” Attributed to Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844.
The more powerful labor becomes, the more powerless becomes the worker.
— Karl Marx
Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844