Screenplay Treatment: Technical Deceit

A theatre technician, generically named Dave, is incredibly lonely. Seemingly being unnoticed by his own work colleagues makes Dave an ideal spy for a journalist who suspects one of the theatre's directors for fraud. Dave listens in on conversations and quickly gathers information of use through wireless microphones he places strategically around the theatre. In return for passing on information Dave receives large sums of money, but he continues to be pressured for more. With the director no longer talking to his mysterious friend, Dave begins to make up facts to satisfy the journalist. He soon finds his made up facts printed across the front page of the newspaper, and the director is immediately sacked. Dave instantly regrets his actions. He feels guilty for what has happened, and lonelier than ever because he doesn't have any conversations to listen in on. Struggling to focus at work, Dave feels unsure of himself and considers quitting his job. The Director returns and notices him, calling him by name. Dave quickly realises that people do know who he is and his work is valued, he is encouraged and motivated to keep up his work and make more friends.

Beginning

Dave is seen at work on the lighting rig above the empty theatre. A woman bursts through a door below him into the empty theatre, she looks up and notices him, pretending to look for somebody, before suggesting that he might be able to help her instead. In the theatre cafe she reveals she is a journalist trying to acquire information on the upcoming play's Director, and figures he can help. She tells him nobody within the theatre even knows who he is, let alone the Director, and so he agrees figuring there is nothing to lose.

Middle

Dave is up on the rig again later that day, overhearing a conversation between the Director (Damien) and another mysterious person. He realises that they could say something important at any moment, so he sets up a recording system in the theatre control room using the theatre's wireless microphones, recording onto his laptop. A short montage of this recording process taking place over several days, with shots of Dave listening back to the recordings, making notes of important parts, emailing notes to the journalist, receiving some money for his work so far etc. Towards the end of the montage it appears Dave is struggling to get good notes because Damien's conversations have stopped, yet he receives an email demanding more information. Dave begins writing notes that are completely made up to be sent to the journalist.

End

Dave is walking to work when he notices a newspaper headline reading almost the exact words he made up a few days before. Picking up the newspaper and reading it, he begins to regret what he has done. As he walks into work, Damien is overheard having an argument with the theatre manager and is promptly fired. Dave begins to feel even worse and struggles to get on with work in the now empty theatre. Feeling unsure of himself, he goes and lies on his back on the empty theatre stage, lights above him blur his vision. Damien returns, with the intention of collecting his belongings from the theatre, and Dave tells him he is considering quitting. Damien explains to Dave how his work is valued, and helps him to fix one of the lights he has been struggling with - he is unaware Dave is responsible for losing him his job. For Dave, it is enough to remind him that somebody does know who he is, and convinces him that he can help to fix the situation.