WELCOME
— thank you for reading this scene —
Amber Disrespects D’Nisha
INT. WAYNE’S PODCAST OFFICE — AFTERNOON
Warm afternoon sunlight pours through the large windows. The podcast office is busy, but the atmosphere around Wayne’s desk is unusually tense. Wayne stands beside his desk, reviewing several papers. D’Nisha stands nearby, waiting patiently.
The door opens. Amber walks inside with confidence, carrying a folder, looking focused. D’Nisha immediately notices her and smiles politely.
D’NISHAGood afternoon, Amber.
Amber barely looks at her. She walks past D’Nisha without responding. D’Nisha’s smile slowly disappears. Wayne notices the awkward moment but says nothing.
AMBERWayne, I need to talk to you about Dave’s new assistant.
WAYNEOkay. What about her?
AMBERI want to know why you thought it was a good idea to get Dave an assistant in the first place.
WAYNEBecause Dave needed help.
AMBERDave has never needed an assistant like this before. And now suddenly you decide he needs one?
Wayne looks toward D’Nisha. She remains quiet, but she is still bothered by Amber ignoring her. She finally speaks.
D’NISHAAmber…
AMBERWhat?
D’NISHAI said good afternoon to you when you walked in.
AMBEROkay?
D’NISHAYou didn’t answer me.
AMBERAnd?
D’NISHAI was just being respectful.
AMBERWhy would I say good morning to you? You are still new here. You are junior to me. I am senior to you. It is your job to say good morning to me. It is not my job to say good morning to you.
D’Nisha stares at her. The words clearly hurt. Wayne shifts uncomfortably.
WAYNEAmber, I don’t think—
AMBERWayne, I’m talking to her.
D’Nisha looks down for a moment, then raises her eyes again.
D’NISHASo because you’re senior, you think you don’t have to show me basic respect?
AMBERThat’s not what I said.
D’NISHAThat’s exactly what you said.
AMBERYou need to understand your position.
D’NISHAMy position?
AMBERYes. You just got here. You are learning how things work.
D’NISHAI’m learning how things work. But I didn’t know disrespect was part of the training.
WAYNEOkay, let’s calm down.
D’NISHAWayne, I’m not trying to cause a problem. But I’m not going to stand here and let somebody talk down to me just because they think they’re more important.
AMBERNobody is talking down to you.
D’NISHAYou literally just told me I’m not important enough for you to greet.
AMBERYou’re making this bigger than it is.
D’NISHABecause you made it disrespectful.
A long silence follows. Wayne slowly sits down.
WAYNELadies, we’re here to talk about Dave’s assistant.
AMBERExactly. That’s why I’m here. Dave’s new assistant is creating problems.
WAYNEWhat kind of problems?
AMBERShe’s getting too comfortable around Dave. I saw them together.
WAYNETogether doing what?
AMBERWorking.
WAYNEThat’s what an assistant is supposed to do.
AMBERWayne, you know what I’m talking about.
WAYNENo, Amber. I don’t.
AMBERThis is exactly why I don’t like bringing these conversations around people who don’t understand the situation.
D’NISHAI understand perfectly. You’re angry because Dave has another woman working closely with him.
AMBERWatch yourself.
D’NISHAI’m watching myself. But I’m also watching you.
WAYNED’Nisha. Let’s not turn this into something personal.
D’NISHAI’m trying not to. But she made it personal when she decided I wasn’t worthy of a simple greeting.
AMBERYou really are sensitive.
D’NISHASensitive? No. I’m respectful. There’s a difference.
AMBERYou need to learn something. Respect is earned.
D’NISHARespect is also given. You don’t get to decide that I’m beneath you.
AMBERI’m not saying you’re beneath me.
D’NISHAYou just said I’m junior and you’re senior.
AMBERBecause that’s the truth.
D’NISHABeing senior doesn’t make you better than me.
Wayne steps between them slightly.
WAYNEOkay. I understand you have concerns about Dave’s assistant. And I understand that you’re upset. But we’re not going to fight in my office.
AMBERI’m not fighting.
D’NISHANeither am I. I’m standing up for myself.
AMBERYou have a lot of confidence for someone who just got here.
D’NISHAAnd you have a lot of attitude for someone who expects respect.
D’Nisha turns away, walking toward the window, her emotions clearly building. Wayne approaches her.
WAYNED’Nisha, are you okay?
D’NISHAI’m fine.
WAYNEYou don’t look fine.
D’NISHAI just don’t understand why people think being new means I should accept anything. I came here to work. I came here to learn. I came here to prove myself. I didn’t come here to be treated like I’m beneath somebody.
WAYNEYou have a right to expect respect.
AMBERNobody said she shouldn’t be respected.
D’NISHAYour actions said it.
AMBERYou need to stop putting words in my mouth.
D’NISHAThen stop giving me reasons to.
WAYNEThat’s enough. You came here to talk about Dave’s assistant. And you were standing here when this happened. But this conversation about greetings needs to end.
AMBERFine. But I’m still not comfortable with Dave’s assistant.
WAYNEWe’ll talk about that.
Amber turns toward the door. Before leaving, she looks back at D’Nisha.
AMBERAnd D’Nisha… next time, remember who you’re talking to.
D’NISHAI know exactly who I’m talking to. I’m talking to Amber. Not my boss. Not my owner. Not somebody above me. Just Amber.
AMBERWe’ll see how long that attitude lasts.
She walks out. The door closes. Silence fills the room. D’Nisha exhales deeply.
WAYNEYou really didn’t want to let that go.
D’NISHANo. Because if I let it go today, she’ll think she can do it again tomorrow.
WAYNEYou made your point.
D’NISHAI wasn’t trying to disrespect her. I just wanted the same respect I was giving her.
WAYNEYou deserve that.
D’NISHAThen I’m going to keep doing my job. I’m not going to let anyone make me feel small.
WAYNEThat’s the attitude.
Across the hallway, Amber stands outside the office. She has heard enough. Her face is tense.
AMBER (under her breath)This isn’t over.
Inside, D’Nisha returns to Wayne’s desk and picks up the papers she had been reviewing earlier. Her hands are steady now. The disrespect still hurts, but her confidence has returned.
WAYNEReady to get back to work?
D’NISHAAbsolutely. Because I’m not going anywhere.
The camera slowly pulls away from the office. Amber stands alone in the hallway. D’Nisha stands firmly inside. Wayne remains between the two sides. The conflict has only just begun.
TO BE CONTINUE 🚨
