SETTING: KEITH is finishing up mopping the floors at Stateside Broadcasting Network (SBN). Most of the staff has gone home, but a few executives linger behind. For his part, KEITH can't stop thinking about the Vice President Thomas Marshall docuseries pilot. He wonders if he'll ever see a copy of the tape again and be able to tell Vice President Thomas Marshall if SBN is ordering it to series. After he completes his duties, KEITH puts the mop back in the custodial closet and gets ready to leave. An executive, QUINN, occupied on his phone, slams into KEITH in the hallway.
QUINN
WATCH IT!
KEITH
Me?! You watch-
QUINN gives KEITH a confused look. KEITH realizes QUINN was speaking on the phone.
QUINN
WATCH THE PILOT AND MAYBE YOU'LL SEE WHY THE FOCUS GROUP LOVED IT!
KEITH can't help but listen in.
QUINN
Look, we always listen to our focus groups. If they say they want a documentary on some old Vice President, then that's what they should be getting dammit.
KEITH realizes they are talking about Vice President Thomas Marshall.
QUINN
Goodbye.
QUINN hangs up and hands KEITH a tape.
QUINN
Here, put this back. We won't be needing this any more.
KEITH
Why not?
QUINN
Some people want to bet against our focus groups. Here. Take it.
KEITH takes the tape. Immediately, VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL appears.
VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL
Keith! I've been waiting to see you again! Any news?
KEITH takes a deep breath and looks QUINN right in the eye.
KEITH
You know what? Screw them. Listen to what the people say they want.
QUINN pauses.
QUINN
That's not your place to say.
QUINN starts to walk away, then turns back around.
QUINN
But you're right. What do we have to lose?
QUINN swipes the tape from KEITH.
QUINN
I'll get this show on the air, and if they don't like it, too bad.
KEITH
So this might sound weird but...do you mind if I have a moment with that tape first? Just want to maybe take it back to the closet and inspect it for mold first. You know, gotta make sure the quality's good.
QUINN shrugs and hands KEITH the tape. VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL appears again.
VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL
Keith! Talk to me!
KEITH has no choice but to ignore VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL until they get to the closet, no matter how hard the former vice president persists.
KEITH
Alright, I got news but I gotta be quick. They're ordering your documentary to series!
VICE PRESIDENT THOMAS MARSHALL
You don't say! Well done, Keith.
KEITH leaves the custodial closet to find QUINN standing outside.
QUINN
Done talking to yourself?
KEITH looks embarrassed.
KEITH
I can explain.
QUINN
Don't care. I just need the tape for a bit while we get this into series mode. And uh...don't be afraid to pull out some more tapes as you find them.
QUINN winks.
KEITH
Oh, I'm just the custodian.
QUINN
Like I said, don't be afraid.
QUINN walks away. Previously prepared to leave, KEITH heads down to the basement, prepared to find his next hidden gem.