Network - Episode 1.01 - Pilot (TVRGO Throwback)




Network

1x01 - “Pilot”




By:
Jessica Boggs

COLD OPEN

EXT. NETWORK STUDIO – DAWN
In a network studio, network executives go through the daily grind. Hijinks ensue as outrageous things happen.
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INT. NETWORK PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - DAWN
The phone rings in ASH’s office. ASH is a 30-year-old brash and sassy male who is a network president. He is olive-skinned, and is well-polished in a fancy H&M suit. ASH enters his office, heads to his desk, picks up the phone, and proceeds to answer the phone. Sunlight is pouring in through the gaudy decorative office window. The desk is surrounded in many years’ worth of paperwork, hoarded on the surface.
ASH
Hello? Yes. Yes. What?
ASH raises his eyebrows, as if there was a stifling odor that was emitted.
ASH
Seriously? You got to be joking!
ASH then hangs up the phone, as firm as an executive producer throws failed pilots in a designated fireplace. ASH then makes his morning coffee on a single-serve Keurig 2.0 coffee machine.
CUT TO
INT. LEAH’S OFFICE – FIVE MINUTES LATER
In this fully-furnished, modernly hip office, sits LEAH, a 26-year-old polished African American female executive, wearing her signature white blouse, black skirt, black hose, black heels, and black business jacket. She oversees the scheduling of television dramas and sitcoms. In her corner, is KASEY, a 22-year-old college graduate who just got the job as Leah’s assistant. She is dressed modernly hip, complete with a nice shirt, pencil skirt, and heels, and wears glasses.

LEAH
(waves)
Morning, Kasey.
KASEY
(waves back)
Morning, Leah.
LEAH
Another Monday in the office.
KASEY
(yawns mercilessly)
Do tell. This is going to be another exhausting week.
LEAH picks up what appears to be a stack of papers and hands them to KASEY.
LEAH
(hurriedly)
Here. Today’s agenda.
KASEY
What is this?
(shrugs)
How come I didn’t know about the executive meeting that is coming up in about a couple of hours.
LEAH
(with a smile)
Beats me.
KASEY
Okay.
KASEY exits.

LEAH
(puzzled)
Hey, wait!
LEAH runs after KASEY, but not to chase her. The morning rush has gotten to the better of them. Who knows what the day would bring, and who knows what hijinks would follow?
FADE OUT
END OF COLD OPEN
FADE IN:
INT. EXECUTIVE HALLWAY - FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER
JESSE, a tall and somewhat awkward employee walks into the office. Noticeably late for work, he attempted to jog into the office. He wipes his brow, from the sweat formed from his hurried lateness. Little did he know, his boss was waiting for him. Whether it was important matters or not was irrelevant to the future of his job status. Speaking of JESSE, he is 28 years old, and does not know what to do with his life. He is dressed business casual, with a somewhat nice shirt, dress pants, and loafers. He also wears glasses. Let’s get back to the action.
JESSE shrugs in nervous anticipation.

JESSE
Phew. Another Monday at the office.


        ASH (O.S.)
Jesse! You are needed in the office.
JESSE
(shrugs in disappointment)
Coming!

INT. NETWORK PRESIDENT’S OFFICE – DAWN
Enter JESSE, looking nervous and disheveled. He is in ASH’s office, and wonders whether he gets fired for being late for work. But alas, ASH is not visibly disappointed. Instead, he is laid back but firm. ASH turns to JESSE, and JESSE awkwardly turns to ASH.

ASH
There you are! We have matters to discuss.

JESSE
Okay…so…what's the agenda for today?

ASH
It's the week before network up-fronts, and we need to show some pilots.
(with stern regard)
Get some test groups together. We need to decide which pilots are ordered to series. Now get on it!
JESSE
(excitedly)
   I'm on it!
ASH then stops JESSE in his tracks.

ASH
Wait a minute. I noticed you came in forty-five minutes late today. This is not the first time you have done this, Jesse. Let me warn you about showing up late to work. Next time you do this, you will be fired. Understand?
JESSE
(with a sad gesture)
I understand.
ASH
Now, tell me. Why were you late this morning?
JESSE
Well...I...let’s see...I woke up late this morning after a night at the club. It won’t happen again, I promise.
ASH
(in shock)
I don’t want to know the rest. Why don’t you get back to work, Jesse?
JESSE
Alright. I will.
JESSE exits.

ASH
Well, I guess I better sit and work on this memorandum to send to everybody.
ASH sits down at his desk, turns on his computer, and types away.
ASH (v.o)
And so, the story goes. I got an awesome job, money in the bank, an amazing girl to call my own, and not a care in the world. What do I have to worry about?  


FADE OUT
END OF EPISODE

NETWORK is one of The TV Ratings Guide's first ORIGINAL SERIES, an original feature ONLY on The TV Ratings Guide.

NETWORK is written and executive produced by Jessica Boggs and production is overseen by TVRG Originals and Boggs Productions.






COPYRIGHT TV RATINGS GUIDE, TVRATINGSGUIDEORIGINALS, TVRGO 2017 

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