3x20 - “Contagion”
Written By:
Jessica Boggs
FADE IN:
EXT. MANHATTAN SKYLINE - DAY
An urban area is situated in Staten Island in the middle of New York City.
EXT. NETWORK HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Network headquarters is positioned in the heart of New York City, where the traffic is surprisingly light.
INT. BUSINESS HALLWAY - DAY
Jesse notices something strange happening in the office as he walks towards his office.
The conference room is open, but the chairs are arranged six feet apart from each other.
JESSE
What’s going on here?
Ash peaks right outside the conference room with a disposable coffee cup in hand.
Jesse raises his eyebrows.
JESSE (CONT’D)
Why are you carrying a disposable cup?
ASH
Jesse, I need to tell you something. There’s a virus going around in New York.
JESSE
First time I’m hearing about this. I heard something about it in other states such as California, but here? That’s crazy.
ASH
Two of our executives have already called in sick.
Jesse and Ash enter the conference room.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Ash and Jesse stand near the table.
ASH (CONT’D)
This virus is called COVID-19. Otherwise known as the coronavirus.
JESSE
Oh no!
ASH
It’s worse than the flu. Deadly for those who are immunocompromised and people older than the age of 60.
JESSE
That’s basically our parents and our neighbors. That’s crazy.
ASH
That’s why I moved the chairs to at least six feet apart and switched to disposable cups.
Charlie then enters the conference room, in a panic.
The guys turn to Charlie.
CHARLIE
Oh my God! You guys need to open your emails now!
ASH
Charlie, what’s going on?
Charlie then sets her laptop on the conference table.
CHARLIE
Production has been shut down on every single show that’s currently on the air.
ASH
Oh no. Okay, let’s not panic. How about we put in reality shows on the schedule.
CHARLIE
They are all shut down too. They won’t have enough episodes in time for summer if this COVID-19 pandemic gets out of hand.
ASH
I knew this was going to happen. This is not looking good.
CHARLIE
Ugh, repeats.
CHARLIE (CONT’D)
I see the disposable cups.
JESSE
You guessed that right. Regular cups are suspended.
CHARLIE
And we’re literally six feet apart.
ASH
Good old social distancing.
Suddenly, Ash’s phone goes off.
He answers the phone.
Then he places it on speakerphone.
Kasey is on the other line.
KASEY (O.S.)
Hey guys, I wanted to let you know that I tested negative and I will be okay. But people are ridiculous. People are snickering at me because of the fact I happened to be half-Chinese.
CHARLIE
I’m sorry. That is just horrible. This disease knows no race or country. And I thought racism was dead.
ASH
If it makes you and everyone else feel better, we’re about to deliberate on a work remotely policy.
KASEY (O.S.)
That sounds like a great idea.
JESSE
I second that.
Charlie nods as she takes a disposable cup to make coffee as well.
KASEY (O.S.)
How are the rest of the gang?
ASH
Matt and Holly are both at home. Holly is getting over the flu. Matt has been super cautious, which is understandable. Leah is at home getting over the cold that she had for about a day and a half now. Charlie and Jesse are here today.
JESSE
I really hope she gets better soon. Luckily it’s not that virus.
ASH
Okay, now that we’ve all agreed, we’re going to work from home for the next two weeks. We’re going to get through this.
Ash then hangs up the phone.
Jesse turns to Charlie.
JESSE
Social distancing, y’all.
CHARLIE
Yeah yeah.
Charlie rolls her eyes.
And now, this episode concludes with everyone leaving the conference room.
FADE OUT
NETWORK is written and executive produced by Jessica Boggs and production is overseen by TVRG Originals and Boggs Productions.
NETWORK is written and executive produced by Jessica Boggs and production is overseen by TVRG Originals and Boggs Productions.
NETWORK is one of The TV Ratings Guide's first ORIGINAL SERIES, an exclusive feature of The TV Ratings Guide.
NETWORK is one of The TV Ratings Guide's first ORIGINAL SERIES, an exclusive feature of The TV Ratings Guide.
COPYRIGHT TV RATINGS GUIDE, TVRATINGSGUIDEORIGINALS, TVRGO 2020
COPYRIGHT TV RATINGS GUIDE, TVRATINGSGUIDEORIGINALS, TVRGO 2020
