Sirena's Scenes: It’s all us girls against the man
Act IIA, Scene 3 + The humiliation ritual of job searching
After our “fun and games” section, Sirena realizes being a good cafe worker will not deliver her plan to live the van life. She finds a new way to go after her goal and a new “engine” to drive her after a meal with Zoe’s buffoonish boss.
This is a very fun (if a bit bloated) step. Enjoy!
The Scene
Ext. Street. Day.
SIRENA walks with PACO, wrestling with a plastic pay envelope that won’t budge.
PACO Nice of Zoe to invite me to dinner. It’ll be cool seeing you outside of work.
SIRENA (distracted) Sure.
PACO Though honestly, nothing beats the stock room. The quiet, the repetition. Great for visualizing.
SIRENA Visualizing what?
PACO The life I want. Success. A business.
He looks at her sheepishly.
PACO A good woman by my side…
Sirena blinks at him.
SIRENA Hope you find all three.
The envelope still won’t open.
SIRENA Why do they make these things like bank vaults? I earned this money, and I want it now!
Paco pulls out a Swiss army knife.
PACO I got you.
He slices it open and hands it back, proud.
PACO Always be prepared.
Sirena eagerly pulls out the check. Her face drops.
SIRENA That’s it?
She shows Paco.
SIRENA This is what they pay for good service in the land of opportunity?
PACO Well–
SIRENA At this rate, I’ll retire before I make it home.
Ext. Zoe’s Backyard. Dusk.
JAIME is building a little fortress of rocks and broken toys by the fence door. Sirena swings it open, scattering them.
JAIME Hey!
She and Paco walk past MATILDE, who is hunched close to a REPAIR CLIENT, whispering furiously.
MATILDE (low, Spanish) No, no. Say it exactly. Got it?
Her client nods.
MATILDE When she comes out.
Sirena looks at them, confused.
ZOE (O.S.) Sirena? Kitchen please!
Sirena sighs like she’s been drafted into war.
Int. Zoe’s House. Kitchen. Day.
ZOE, in a crisp apron, arranges hoer d’oeurves with precision.
She hands Sirena a tray.
ZOE Take these outside please.
Sirena turns to leave.
ZOE Before you go.
Sirena stops.
ZOE I am so, so proud of how you’ve raised your level at the cafe.
Sirena nods.
ZOE Tonight you’ll meet Roland.
SIRENA Mm.
ZOE My boss.
Nothing.
ZOE The head of Nutrivance.
Sirena gets the hint, perks up an inch.
SIRENA That’s great.
ZOE I’ve told him about you. If tonight goes well, you could take things somewhere...well, wherever you want to take them.
Sirena hesitates.
SIRENA You want me to be honest?
ZOE Of course.
SIRENA I would like to take things home.
Zoe’s smile falters.
SIRENA As soon as I save up enough. I actually have a van I’m gonna buy. Make a road trip of it.
Zoe’s face tightens. She snatches up her tray and heads outside.
Sirena follows, flustered.
EXT. Zoe’s Backyard. Dusk.
Zoe comes out with her tray, Sirena trailing.
Matilde nudges her client.
REPAIR CLIENT (Spanish, awkwardly loud) Uh--wow, Matilde. You didn’t just fix my technology...you rewired for trust. You...uh, innovated what it means to be human.
Zoe stops. Matilde smiles hopefully.
ZOE I can’t have this here today.
She shoos the client away.
REPAIR CLIENT (Spanish) I still get the discount, right?
MATILDE (pulling her away) We’ll talk.
The client nearly collides with GRIZZIE rushing in.
ZOE You’re late.
GRIZZIE Sorry.
As she stuffs one of Lionel’s bracelets into her pocket, Sirena clocks it and smirks.
Zoe starts resetting the backyard with fast, clipped movements. Chairs scrape. Glass clinks. Everyone instinctively helps.
ZOE I’m legitimately puzzled that you’d leave with opportunities like this in front of you.
SIRENA Living the van life is an opportunity.
ZOE Before you’ve even had a real job.
SIRENA What’s fake about the cafe? I sweat there!
JAIME (From his rocks, in Spanish) Can I come? I want the PS5.
SIRENA (Spanish) You can play it before I leave.
JAIME Leave it here for me.
SIRENA No. It’s the heart of the operation.
JAIME (English) Bullshit.
SIRENA (Delighted) Your English is getting good!
ZOE And to model this lack of ambition for your brother.
SIRENA I’m satisfied. Is that a sin?
PACO (to Sirena) Why a crusty old van, though?
He leans toward her.
PACO I see you as more of a private jet kinda girl.
GRIZZIE Oh my God. Keep it in your pants.
PACO Tell you what, if we ever get married, I’ll rake in the big bucks so you can stay home playing PS5 all day.
SIRENA Who’s doing the laundry?
PACO You could handle a little laund--
SIRENA Laundry is work. Get me a maid.
PACO Guess you really ARE a private jet girl!
He laughs.
ZOE Absolutely not!
Everything stops.
ZOE A housewife? Maids? Do you hear yourself?
Matilde clears her throat nervously.
MATILDE It’s not a terrible idea...she’s a bit on the lazy side, and she’s getting to be that age.
SIRENA (Spanish, outraged) Mamá!
ZOE (Spanish) She’s not even drinking age and you’re trying to marry her off.
Matilde shrinks.
ZOE (to Sirena) Millions of women fought to earn their own way. You want to slap them all in the face.
Sirena is legitimately uncomfortable.
SIRENA Relax, I’m not marrying anyone. I’m just spending the money I earned.
Zoe turns to Grizzie.
ZOE Did you know about this?
GRIZZIE ...Yea.
ZOE And you said nothing?
GRIZZIE (pause) I mean, I can see the appeal...
Zoe’s eyes well up.
GRIZZIE (shocked, awkward) Mom. It’s not that deep.
A CAR PULLS UP somewhere out front. Zoe straightens instantly.
ZOE He’s here.
Everyone resumes moving at triple speed.
Ext. Zoe’s Backyard. Evening.
A dining table outdoors, with the family and their guest of honor. ROLAND--50s--sits back in his polo shirt and sips iced tea.
ROLAND Hits the spot. Like Abuela used to make.
SIRENA It’s store-bought.
ROLAND Still. Authentic.
Sirena throws Zoe a look. Zoe ignores it.
ROLAND Seeh-reeerena, like Siren. Charming, but dangerous.
Sirena looks at him, puzzled.
ROLAND My grandpa was Mexican. We may all be cousins.
SIRENA Probably not.
ZOE (forced cheery) We do love a good family connection.
ROLAND (to Sirena) Hope you don’t share Zoe’s siesta gene.
An awful, forced Zoe laugh.
ROLAND Caught her passed out in her car at the office last week.
ZOE It was after an all-nighter.
ROLAND Not the look of an achiever. Which reminds me, your program...
Zoe looks expectant.
ROLAND We’re cutting culture spend, so the launch will need to a little more modest.
Zoe smiles through death.
ZOE Not a problem. We’ll look at a smaller venue.
ROLAND No need to look.
He gestures around.
ROLAND This is the perfect venue.
Zoe’s eyes widen with shock. Sirena chokes on her tea.
ROLAND Backyard launch. Talk about Latino scrappy! Do our ancestors proud. Plus, people love seeing one of their own make it to a nice house. (To Sirena) Inspiring! Am I right?
Sirena nods violently to avoid laughing.
ROLAND And make it our Hispanic Heritage thing. We forgot to plan something for that. Two birds.
Zoe collects herself and smiles.
ZOE That’s a fabulous idea.
ROLAND I knew you’d love it.
He gets up, now looking at the space like a set designer.
ROLAND But it needs something modern. Something that shows progress.
His eyes light up.
ROLAND A light show!
Matilde’s eyes lift.
MATILDE (hopeful) A light show?
ZOE (alarmed) A light show?
ROLAND A light show.
He finishes his tea with a loud slurp.
ROLAND Well, ladies, it’s been a treat.
He holds up his empty glass toward Matilde and rattles the ice casually.
Matilde smiles at him, unsure what’s going on.
He wiggles his glass.
Matilde looks at Zoe, who gives her a tiny apologetic nod. Matilde hustles over and grabs the glass from Roland.
Sirena’s jaw drops.
ROLAND (As he gets up) Real pleasure.
He strolls off.
Sirena looks over at him stunned. Zoe burns a glare into the table.
Int. Zoe’s Kitchen. Night.
Zoe attacks a pan with a sponge. Matilde dries dishes beside her.
MATILDE (English) I could build a light show.
No answer.
MATILDE For the event Mr. Roland wants.
More silence.
Sirena enters with plates.
MATILDE I know grids, wiring...
ZOE (Spanish) I’ll keep you in mind, thank you.
Sirena and Matilde exchange a look.
SIRENA We can do these. Why don’t you relax? Read something?
ZOE (curt, rude) I’m fine.
SIRENA Guess there’s always your deathbed to cozy up with a good book.
Zoe sets the sponge down and takes Sirena by the arm.
ZOE Outside.
SIRENA Hey! What are you--
She looks at Matilde, who gives her a tiny “go” gesture.
Ext. Zoe’s Backyard -- Garden. Night.
Sirena follows Zoe to a patch of fragrant vegetables and herbs. Zoe takes a deep breath to center herself.
ZOE He’s why.
SIRENA Your buffoon boss?
ZOE He’s why you need to stop with the van and come work with me.
SIRENA Can’t you take a hint? I’m not your girl.
She points toward the house, at Matilde.
SIRENA She’s your most loyal disciple.
ZOE It doesn’t work like that. He doesn’t see her.
Sirena sighs, frustrated.
ZOE You need to be proof of concept.
SIRENA Proof of concept?
ZOE That our people are worth hiring.
SIRENA That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard.
ZOE My parents were also like your mom. Talented, and invisible to people like Roland.
Sirena mindlessly plays with some tomatoes from a vine, taking in Zoe’s point.
ZOE I was able to break in only by a miracle.
She gently removes the tomatoes from Sirena’s hands.
ZOE They overlook us, and when they don’t, they look for an excuse to keep us out. That’s why I need this program to work. Our people need it. I need your help.
Sirena looks at the ground, frustrated.
SIRENA It’s all so stupid.
ZOE I had to claw my way through guys like Roland, and here you are with an open door. Are you too scared to take it?
Sirena looks up at her, defiant.
SIRENA I’m not scared.
Zoe meets her gaze, as if saying “I don’t believe you.”
SIRENA Fine.
Zoe lights up.
ZOE We’ll schedule an interview right away!
SIRENA BUT!...only while I get my van money. Then you hire my mom.
Zoe is taken aback, then indignant.
ZOE For once, could you stop turning everything into a joke?
SIRENA This is no joke. If your program is any good, it should work for her. If not, maybe you agree with Roland.
Zoe exhales, frustrated.
Scene Notes
Today’s step is pivotal to the plot AND it deepens character nicely, but it takes way too long to do so. Expect to see it shortened soon.
It’ll be painful to shorten, however, because I’m pretty enamored with a lot of it.
For example, the funny episode of Matilde trying to get her client to crib from Zoe’s Ted Talk.
Since very early outlines, I’ve also liked the Paco jet-van-marriage exchange leading to Zoe’s explosion.
But having both in one sequence do seem to drag it down, so I’ll have to kill at least one of my darlings.
This sequence is my best attempt at humanizing Zoe by showing the shit she takes from both her external and inner bosses.
Roland is maybe my favorite character and a joy to write. He may sound charicaturesque, but I swear I’ve had clients and superiors like that. And people’s willingness to unquestionably accept their absurd ideas is a hallmark of the Business Idiot era we live in.
I also like shedding light on where Zoe herself is coming from in terms of her history and upbringing. BUT…I think this current draft is a little too on-the-nose and speechy about it. So I think I’ll need to sand her self-explanation down a touch.
One grievance against myself: there’s now too many instances in the story (two) of someone pulling Sirena outside and changing her mind about something. I think I’ll have to brainstorm a believable alternative for at least one of them.
Finally, I honestly forgot that Jaime was in the story until I saw him pop up here again. That’s a pretty strong signal that I should probably cut him.
I brought him in originally because I felt that Sirena needed a child figure in her life to make the stakes of her actions feel more serious (and to show that she’s also thoughtful and intentional about her slacking, not completely self-centered). Originally, I had made her a mother, but that risked making her decisions feel way too villainous to the audience.
Not helping Jaime’s cause is that, once we actually get to producing this, filming with children adds an expensive layer of complexity to the project.
The question to tackle immediately upon completing this draft: can we find another way of pulling out Sirena’s thoughtfulness and “seriousness”?
Antiwork content of the week: the humiliation ritual of job searching
What I like most about today’s Sirena scene is her resistance to having to play-act ambitiousness, while watching both Zoe play it for her boss, and her mom’s desire but unskillfulness in playing it.
This short book review gets at this perfectly. While it will NOT lift your spirits, it may give you the catharsis of naming the feelings you get every time you log on to LinkedIn.
These dispatches are part of a “Sirena’s Scenes,” a special BQE section with installments of our slacker film script accompanied by interesting pieces of antiwork-adjacent content.
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Love it, L. Vago. Especially the tension at the end of Sirena agreeing to what Zoe wanted through an argument of "we need this." Other people -- other people like you and me. YOU have to sacrifice for the good of the whole. That's an appealing argument sometimes, but others, it's just as corrosive as other stories we tell ourselves and others. Cant wait to read the next scene