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FROM MAN TO MACHINE:

By: Charles Terry

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Setting

- 2030 Southern United States, small conservative blue collar town.

Character List

- Jay (Protagonist) – Mid 30s, Former Marine, truck driver, married to Sam with two kids Jay Jr. and Kim

- Sam – Wife of Jay, mid 30s, high school sweethearts with Jay, nurse, home maker, mother to Kim and Jay Jr

- Kim – Daughter of Jay and Sam, 6-7 years old

- Jay Jr. – Son of Jay and Sam, 1.5 years old

- John – Jay’s best friend since high school, deployed

together overseas, also Jay’s superior, married to Jay’s sister Sara

- Sara- Jay’s Sister, John’s wife, stay at home mom

- Paul – similar character to Jay but he got laid off by the

implementation of these automated trucks

- Brad – United trucking employee early 40s

- Mike – United trucking employee early 40s

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Scene 1 INT. KITCHEN – MORNING Samantha is seen breakfast for Kimberly and Jason as they have the morning news on in the background. Kimberly is helping with her little brother and Samantha is trying to get “Kim” ready for school.

SAMANTHA

Kim, you gotta get ready or we are going to be late for school again! Leave your brother, I got him and go get ready for school.

In walks Jay in his work shirt, he picks up Kim as he walks over to the coffee maker, grabs a cup of coffee from the pot and walks over to kiss his wife and son good morning.

SAMANTHA

Jay she has to get ready for school. Go Kim go.

JAY

Goodmorning to you too…

FAINT VOICE FROM THE NEWS ANCHOR

United Shipping is expected to lay off up to 50% of its total work force and 65% of its driving force.

JAY

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Hey baby can you turn that up please.

SAMANTHA

Turn what up?

JAY

The news… something about lay offs at United

Sam walks over to the remote on the couch in the living and turns up the news cast up as it is focused on a self-driving truck completing a cross-country route successfully.

NEWSCASTER

It looks like United Shipping has completed its Los Angeles to New York City cross country semi-truck shipping route. This may not seem like an abnormal feat but this was done without any driver in the truck and without someone controlling it. All of this was done by the innovative technology commonly known as self-driving cars and trucks. Let’s go live to United Shipping’s New York City location where we have Trisha Tompkins with the company’s CEO Peter Johnson . . . Trisha

TRISHA

Thanks Jeff, I am here with Peter Johnson as he is making innovation look simple. His company United Shipping has completed the first

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cross-country shipping in a truck with no oversight by a controller or driver. Peter how does this feel what will this change mean to the company?

PETER

This is a huge day for our company, it will bring about big changes as to how we manage our fleets and how we get them to and from their destinations. We are excited to be on the forefront of this innovation. What to come for the company is definitely going to be a change and we are going to implement these trucks into at least 50% of our routes effective immediately. Also, eventually that number will increase. I know this will change the make-up of our workforce but we believe this is the future of this nation and industry and someone has to be on the forefront and that someone will be United!

TRISHA

There ya have it Jeff, definitely some big changes coming to the United Shipping’s make-up and the workforce as a whole. Technology meets the shipping industry

Sam looks at Jay in silence and the whole house is as if the wind got knocked out of everybody, Jay remains optimistic and in his usual joking tone

JAY

Good thing my job is pretty much bolted down and John looks after

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me. Sam, don’t worry we will be fine and my job is not going anywhere. I have to go to work and talk to John about this Bull…. BS

As John looks at his daughter who playfully scolds him when he swears.

JAY

Kim, take your brother into your room and get ready for school. Sam, please don’t start right now… I promise it will be okay.

SAM

But how do you know that?! John can only help you so much! What if your branch is the first to make the changes to the driving force?

JAY

We will figure it out Sam, we always do. Like I said, I am running late, I will talk to John today and we will figure out what is going to happen and what is going on. I love you.

Jay walks up to Sam and gives her a kiss goodbye on his way out the door.

JAY

I promise it will be okay, kiss Kim and J.J. goodbye for me. I will see you tonight.

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Scene 2 INT. CAR – DAY Jay has his radio on as he is passing a group of McDonalds strikers on the street. The strikers are mad about their jobs going away to the automated kiosks. The radio is on to a radio broadcast talking about the city of Charlotte and how they are likely to be on the list of cities in which United Shipping will convert to fully automated semi’s. Jay changes the station, and another news station has the same story on, Jay angrily shuts off the radio as he drives passed the group of strikers with a view of them fading in the rear-view mirror. SCENE 3 INT. WAREHOUSE – MORNING Jay walks through the doors to United Shipping and is met by a sight of other drivers cleaning out their lockers. Jay walks to his locker at which point he is interrupted by another driver.

PAUL

Did you hear all this bullshit… I can not fucking believe they gave us zero heads up!

JAY

What are you talking about Paul? This is not going to happen overnight! They can’t replace us all!

PAUL

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Its already happening the only positions they need now are some loaders and overseers of the goddamn self-driving trucks!

JAY

What the fuck? Where is John?

PAUL

He has his office door closed, been that way all morning! I guess he doesn’t wanna talk to the people who he fucked over!

JAY storms away from Paul and walks up the back stairs of the warehouse to the upper level where John’s office is. Jay throws the door open where John is sitting facing the other direction on his computer as the door slams against the wall

JOHN

Who the fu…. Jay storms through the walkway towards John

JAY

Who the fuck?!?! Me, that’s who you mother fucker1

Jay storms over to John and lifts him out of his chair hitting him with a right hook to the face as John and him exchange blows… John mainly trying to block the shots and not hit Jay back.

JAY

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. . . (Landing another punch) After everything we have fucking been through, really!? High school, basic, and me saving your ass more than once in Afghanistan…

JOHN

Jay!! Enough!

JAY

Enough?!? You couldn’t even give me a heads-up you piece of shit?

Jay lands one more right hook before John and Jay get broken up by other drivers who heard the noise and fighting

JAY

You were my brother and you could not even give me a heads up you piece of shit! I seriously cannot believe this! I took a bullet saving your scared, sorry ass and you could not even give me a goddamn heads up!

Jay throws off the other drivers

JAY

I’m done get off of me

JOHN

Jay!!

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Jay storms out of John’s office, storms down the stairs and gives a locker a three punch combo as he storms out… Scene 4 EXT. BATTING CAGES – DAY Jay is seen in the fast pitch section hitting ball after ball as if he was a professional slugger. John pulls up in his Brand New Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab Short Bed V8 pickup truck, gets out, and starts walking towards the cage Jay is in . . . Jay continues to hit the ball as if nothing has changed.

JOHN

You always did come here when you needed to calm down.

Jay keeps launching the ball after ball. The machine stops pitching, Jay puts another token in and goes back to the batter’s box waiting for another fast ball.

JOHN

If you’re not going to say anything let me, I am sorry! I couldn’t say anything Jay.

Jay lets the first ball go by him and turns around to face John

JAY

You couldn’t?! You’re my fucking brother in law, you’re married to my sister man! You could not tell me that I am going to lose my job and should find something else?! You did not tell me that I would be unemployed?!

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JOHN

Jay…

JAY

Seriously this hurts! I cannot believe after everything we been through that you could not at least give me a heads up

Jay pulls off his white t-shirt and his baseball cap falls off his head… Jay points to the bullet hole scar on upper left chest by his shoulder.

JAY

Remember this? Yea, I certainly do! I got this when you shit your pants and almost got yourself killed in what should have been a routine recon trip.

Flashback to Afghanistan where John is pinned down behind a building wall because of an enemy sniper. John appears to have a broken leg from falling off a balcony and can’t walk.

JAY

Stay there John I got you!! Cover me guys!

Jay starts jogging over to John and gets to him as the rest of his unit lays down cover fire

JAY

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Looks like I have to save your ass again, just like high school! Don’t worry buddy I got you!

JOHN

My leg man, its broken I can’t walk. I think the sniper is at 2 O’clock, that building 300 yards away, northwest corner of the street about 7 floors up!

JAY

Okay… We are gonna stay low… I’m gonna drag you out lay down cover fire!

John begins laying down cover fire in the general direction of where he believes he saw the sniper. Jay is dragging John from behind as he is pulling him by the shoulder straps on his vest…

JAY

Keep shooting! We will be out of here soon . . .

Jay falls to the ground as a gun shot rings out . . . the bullet misses Jay’s vest and hits him right in the upper left shoulder . . . it is a through and through with exit wound. Jay falls down and the sound becomes distorted as you hear John and other members of his unit yell as Jay and John get dragged out by the rest of their unit. Flash back to current day John Interrupting Jay

JOHN

Yes you have always been there for me! Yes I remember all of that!

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Don’t forget if it wasn’t for me you might not even have had a job up until this point.

JAY

O fuck off! You have been high and mighty ever since you got that promotion

Jay leaves his cage and begins walking off back to his 1986, square body, single cab Chevrolet truck.

JAY

Tell my sister I said hi! O yea also tell her that her brother is out of a job.

JOHN

JAY!!! JAY!!! Jay gets into his truck and drives off slowly as John is trying to walk after him… Scene 5 INT. JAY’S HOUSE – Evening Jay is sitting on his couch bouncing a tennis ball off his floor and wall and catching it over and over again as his German Shepherd sits with his head on Jay’s lap just following the ball with its head and eyes.

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In walks Sam, Kim, and Jay Jr. in Sam’s arms… Kim runs over to her dad as he catches the tennis ball one more time as Kim jumps into his arms on the couch.

KIM

Daddyo you’re home early

SAM

Jay . . . (with a concerned pause) What are you doing home so early?

Jay does not even look up to his wife but just keeps staring off into the distance.

SAM

Kim take your brother and wash him up for supper, now please!

Kim hugs Jay, gets off his lap, grabs her brother and walks down the hall as the German Shepherd, Daisy jumps off the couch to follow the kids.

JAY

(In a half-way joking tone)

Really Daisy, I see how it is you traitor.

Sam walks over to the couch and sits on the arm of it as Jay puts his hand on her left leg.

SAM

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Jay what’s going on… Did the layoffs happen?

Jay

John knew about this and didn’t give me a heads up! I had to fucking find out from Paul at work today

KIM (In a muffled voice from the bathroom)

Language daddy

SAM

What happened?

Jay

He knew this was coming sooner rather than later and did nothing! He didn’t tell me to enter a training program, to search for other jobs, nothing. I don’t even think he told my sister about all this bullshit!

KIM (In another faint voice)

Daddy!

SAM So now what!? What is United doing for shipping?

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Jay

Apparently they only need a few loaders for the trucks. They have these automated robots that look like a damn Roomba vacuum that picks up pallets and loads them on to the trucks. Then they only need a few overseers for trucks. There’s no more need for driver’s like before, everything is automated. We all knew they were working on this type of stuff, but no one thought it was gonna happen overnight!

SAM

I…

Sam stops talking and stands up from the couch

JAY

My thoughts exactly. I don’t know what I am going to do… I’m sure everyone and their brother wants whatever trucking jobs are available at other companies, and I’m sure no one is gonna leave now! Trucking is dead apparently.

In runs Kim with her brother in her arms and Daisy quick behind them. Kim gives her brother back to Sam and runs back into Jay’s arms as Daisy also jumps onto the couch.

KIM

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What’s for dinner tonight Mom?

SAM

What? Ummm meatloaf.

KIM

We had that yesterday! It’s supposed to be pizza night!!

JAY

Order a pizza Sam we will figure this out later. Ill go pick up the pizza, I gotta clear my head a bit anyway.

Jay goes over to Sam, kisses her forehead, and grabs his keys as he walks out the door. SCENE 6 EXT. PIZZA PARKING LOT – Night. Jay into the lot in his square body Chevrolet and sees John’s truck waiting in the parking lot.

JAY

(To himself)

You have got to be kidding me. John gets out of his truck with his hands in his jacket pocket and walks over to Jay. John has a black eye and a cut on his left cheek from the punches earlier.

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JOHN

To predictable… pizza Friday huh?

JAY

Why are you here?

JOHN

I didn’t tell you for a reason. I could not come to you before I knew for sure.

JAY

You did know! And you said nothing.

JOHN

That’s not what I’m talking about. I think I can get you in as an overseer of the trucks!

JAY What are you talking about? I know nothing about that automated BS.

JOHN

I know, usually they go for the engineer types but they have this training program and you can get the job if you complete it and I recommend you. Jay I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but this position

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is even better than trucking positions. All you’d have to do is that training program!

JAY

Why didn’t you say anything earlier?

JOHN

You mean in front of the other workers who have been at United longer? Or do you mean in-between the punches and in-between you bitching me out at the batting cages? Yes, I had so many opportunities to tell you!

JAY

I got to go man Kim was begging for pizza today.

JOHN

Come to the house tomorrow. I need to fill you in about this program we need to get it done like yesterday.

Jay walks off as he enters the pizza store to pick up the pizza. John gets in his truck and drives off SCENE 7

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INT. KITCHEN JAY’S HOUSE – NIGHT Jay walks in with the pizza and puts the pizza down on the table and walks to the living room where Sam, Kim and Jay Jr. are playing on the carpet

JAY Kim take your brother and go grab some pizza baby. Sam lets talk real quick.

Kim takes her brother into the kitchen and Jay sits down on the carpet next to Sam.

JAY

I told you not to worry.

SAM

It’s a little hard not to worry Jay. We have always made it work when it was tight but this is different.

JAY

Sam, hold on, John was waiting at the pizza shop cuz I wasn’t answering his calls and he has a job for me with United.

SAM

How? They are replacing all the drivers with those automated trucks.

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JAY

Yea but I will be the overseer of some trucks and all I have to do is a little training program. The program will take a few days and I’m going over to John and Sara’s tomorrow to talk about it.

SAM

Thank god!

JAY

Don’t worry baby it’s gonna be all okay! Lets just go eat some dinner and worry about this later. Actually, lets not worry about it. It’s all gonna workout

Jay helps Sam up off the floor and jokingly slaps her butt as they walk in to the kitchen. SCENE 8 EXT. JOHN AND SARA’S HOUSE – EARLY AFTERNOON Jay, Sam, and their kids arrive to Jay and Jess’s house in Sam’s much smaller Hyundai Sonata. Jay gets out of the car grabs, Jay jr out of his car seat and holds Kim’s hand as they walk to the front door of Jay’s house. Jay meets them at the front door and opens the door

JOHN

Hey Sam, I’m sorry I didn’t fill you guys in sooner but I promise Jay will get the overseer position

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as long as he does that training program. I’m going to fill him in all about the details today. I know Sara and the kids are waiting for you guys inside why don’t you go in and let Jay and I talk for a second.

SAM

(with a look of betrayal on her face)

Come on kids lets go inside. Sam takes herself and her kids inside and says hi to her sister-in-law while Jay and John stay outside and begin walking away from the front door.

JAY

She is pretty pissed at you! (Begins walking down the driveway with John towards the street)

JOHN

Yea I know, lets take a walk! I see you still let your wife drive around in that little cracker jack Jap piece of shit. When are you gonna get her a real car.

JAY

Maybe when I’m not uncertain if I am gonna have a job tomorrow or if I am gonna be replaced by a damn robot.

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JOHN

Damn it Jay! I’m trying here… you have no schooling past highschool, you know jackshit about computers, and haven’t even done the training for these trucks! But still, I’m sticking my neck out for you once again! You talk about how you stuck up for me in highschool and dragged my ass out of Afghanistan, but you all too often fail to remember all the times I covered for your ass, over there and back home! I am not gonna fight with you! I am trying my best to help you get the position! Do the damn training, get the position, and stop feeling sorry for yourself. You’re gonna have a job at United because of me while every other trucker is getting laid off man.

JAY

When is this training?

JOHN

It starts Monday, its one week 8 hours a day! Just pass the damn thing! Please!

JAY

What do you mean pass?

JOHN

They can’t put you in charge of these trucks unless you pass the damn class man! Just go in, do it, and pass and the job is yours.

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JAY

Alright, lets go inside and spend some time with our families, I’m sick of looking at your ugly face anyway.

Jay and John jokingly push each other and make their way back into John’s house. SCENE 9 INT. Jay’s House Sunday Morning Jay is sitting on the couch reading the Sunday paper, Sam is in the kitchen cooking breakfast for Kim, and Jay Jr. who are still sleeping.

JAY

God I can’t escape these self-driving trucks, news about them is everywhere.

SAM

What do you mean? Is there something about these training programs in the paper?

JAY

No actually this article is questioning the safety of these self-driving trucks and trying to figure out if it’s worth the cost-saving.

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Sam walks over to Jay from the Kitchen and stands behind the couch where he is sitting as Jay continues to summarize what the article says.

JAY

Apparently these self-driving trucks have some sort of algorithm or whatever its called that chooses the least amount of damage in a no-win situation.

SAM

What do you mean?

JAY

If the truck thinks it cannot avoid an accident but can either hit a bus full of people or run on to a curb and hit only two people it will choose to hit the two people to say more lives.

SAM

What?!

JAY

Yea apparently the trucks use its sensors, and 360 camera to determine when its in a situation where it calculates there is no other option it will purposely crash but in a way to cause the least amount of damage. Messed up.

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SAM

That makes no sense, I thought the whole point of these self-driving cars was safety and money.

JAY

Yea but I guess until every car is self-driving or until they are safer, these trucks will make up for the lack of safety by choosing what it believes to be the lesser of two evils.

SAM

What about the truck overseer isn’t he there to prevent exactly this? What if you’re overseeing a truck that runs into a situation like this and you get in to trouble for not preventing the crash.

JAY

Sam, I cannot get in trouble for the computer software these trucks have embedded in them. It’s just scary to think that we try to avoid accidents now and would not think about it in a situation of which accident would cause the least amount of death but this truck does exactly that. It would save a bunch of lives by purposely crashing into others! This just doesn’t sound right when you say it out loud.

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SAM

I really hope this doesn’t relate to the overseers at all!

JAY

Sam its nothing for us or me to worry about. It has to do with the computer software. Its not like it would be because I am not paying attention or something. Go wake the kids baby, we gotta eat and get to church before we are late again.

Sam walks down the hall to Kim and Jay Jr’s room to wake them up and get ready for Church. Jay continues reading the paper which a look of despair/shock on his face. SCENE 10 INT. Jay’s Kitchen Morning of Training Jay pulls up to the local community college (St. Mary’s Technical College) where he has his morning training. John is waiting in the parking lot for Jay. John is leaning on the front of his Chevrolet Silverado. Jay gets out of his older square body, single cab Chevrolet pickup truck and walks over to John who continues to lean on his pickup truck.

JAY

What are you doing here?

JOHN I figured I would make sure you showed up and didn’t flunk out of this training before it began.

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JAY Haha real funny! No seriously why are you here?

JOHN I have to take this class also. Apparently they want management to know how these trucks run. Basically they want me to make sure that you don’t shit the bed and cause a huge problem for United.

JAY (In a solemn kind of quiet tone) Yea yea! Lets just get this over with. Before I forget, thanks for this man. I know a lot of other people could have been chosen for this and it means a lot/

JOHN I told you man I’d always look after you guys! You’re family. Now let’s get this shit over with.

Jay and John walk in to the college

SCENE 11 INT. Classroom Afternoon

Instructor

Okay it seems like everyone has made it back from lunch, lets get started back up. As we were

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talking about this morning these trucks are fully autonomous with some emergency override controls.

Jay is seen staring off into the distance as he is staring out of the window at two squirrels running up and down the tree and seem to be chasing each other.

INSTRUCTOR So what are some of the safety functions that can be overridden by the person overseeing these trucks?

Jay does not realize this question was directed at him and continues staring out the window. John sitting next to him, realizes Jay is off in space and elbows him to get his attention

JOHN Jay . . .

John motions to the front of the classroom where the instructor seems to be waiting for jay to answer the question

JAY I’m sorry, can you repeat what you were saying?

INSTRUCTOR (In an annoyed tone) We were talking about the different levels of automation in these trucks and other vehicles and how these trucks are virtually completely autonomous. My question

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was, what were some of the features that can be used to interrupt this otherwise autonomous process for the safety of those around the truck?

JAY

(With a confused look on his face as this question is very basic) Ummm well we can interrupt the truck, stop it, shutdown the engine, make turns, it seems like we can pretty much do everything we could do from the driver’s seat but with that little joy stick.

INSTRUCTOR Well its definitely not a joy stick, but yes. You have to realize, you all have to realize, that while these truck are autonomous, there is a reason that we have overseers like yourselves. Sometimes software malfunctions, a kid’s clothing might not be picked up by the cameras or sensors, a bicyclist will come out of no where, debris will be on the road, and so many other things. Yes, this is why we have developed this software and technology so well but you are there to make sure these trucks don’t cause any damage when the safety mechanisms fail. You are no longer in the truck per se but these are your trucks, think of them as your truck and that you are responsible for what happens in them and with them.

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Jay goes back to staring out of the window as the instructor continues on about the different safety functions of these trucks. Camera fades out SCENE 12 EXT. Parking Lot Day

JOHN

Jay you really have to take this shit seriously. I know the class seems pointless but the running of these trucks is serious, I stuck my neck out for you.

JAY John! . . . I get it. Its pretty much all done for me, there is an alarm and alert system I push some buttons and make sure this truck does not kill anyone. Don’t worry.

Jay begins walking away and gets back into his truck.

JAY (Driving by John and talking out of his window) I know you stuck your neck out for me I am not going to screw you over. Let’s get through the next couple days of training. See you in the morning man

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John looks at Jay as he drives off with a look of worriedness on his face and just stares off at Jay’s tailgate as he drives away SCENE 13 INT. Jay’s Living Room Sunday Morning before first day as overseer Jay is walking into the living room from his bedroom and walks past the TV which is on to the news and goes in to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. Sam, Kim, and Jay Jr. are at the kitchen table eating breakfast. Jay walks up and kisses both Kim and Jay Jr. on the top of the head and Kisses Sam also.

JAY

Good morning guys I hope you saved me some of mama’s pancakes. You know those are my favorite.

KIM You know the rule daddy, you snooze you lose

JAY (In a joking tone as he begins to tickle his daughter) Yea, yea, sorry the lawn needed to be mowed, next time ill eat the pancakes and you mow the lawn.

Jay kisses Kim on head again, grabs a plate and sits down to eat with his wife and kids.

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SAM Jay I want to talk to you before we head to church if that’s okay.

KIM Haha Daddy is in trouble!

JAY Aren’t I always? (Jay winks at Kim)

SAM Kim, daddy and I just have to talk about his new job that’s all sweetie!

The family continues eating their breakfast and then Sam looks at the clock on the microwave realizing her and her family are going to be late for Church

SAM Speaking of, time to get ready for Church. Kim take your brother and get ready. His clothes and yours are laid out.

Jay, Kim, and Jay Jr. Get up from the table, Jay takes the dishes to the sink, rinses them off and puts them in the dishwasher, Kim, takes Jay Jr. down the hall

SAM Jay hold on.

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JAY

What’s up babe?

SAM I was reading up on these self driving trucks and the technology in general, what if something goes wrong and they try to blame you for the accident.

JAY Sam, I have been driving since I got back from the War and even before I went over seas! You could have asked this same question when I was in the driver’s seat. It is literally all done for me and I just have to check in sometimes on the computer to make sure everything is running smoothly. Why are you so worried about this?

SAM What if you’re not paying attention, or you can’t fix the computer error before something happens, then what Jay?

JAY Sam, again, I don’t think you realize how cool these trucks are. I know we were talking all week about how I am the “last line of defense” pretty much and have to make sure these trucks do not cause any catastrophic damage. Sam this job is much easier, better

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paying, and I’m home at 5 with you from now on. No more long road trips, no more sleeping in the cabin of the truck. Just accept that good things sometimes happen and this is one of them. Lets just go to church, and stop worrying baby. I’m gonna go get dressed.

Jay walks up to Sam, kisses her on the forehead, and walks down the hall out of sight. SCENE 14 INT CHURCH MID-MORNING Sam, Jay, Kim, and Jay Jr. walk in to Church and are met by multiple people saying hi, shaking hands and hugging as everyone is congregating by the entry way greeting everyone hello. Sam walks in the door and stops to talk to another woman.

PAULA

Sam, Jay how has it been?

JAY Hey Paula! Sam, I’m going to go in and grab a seat. Love you (towards Sam), Nice to see you Paula. (Jay grabs Jay Jr and Kim and walks into the Church to grab a pew).

SAM Good, busy as usual but what else is new? How about with you? Where is Pete?

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PAULA

Well since he heard about the layoffs at United he has been out trying to find other jobs and working odd hours. He didn’t really waste any time. He’s at home sleeping right now. What is Jay going to do?

SAM Jay luckily got an overseer position of some of the new trucks at United. Let’s hope that goes smoothly I am worried about it to be honest.

PAULA Did you see the newspaper article this morning?

SAM No I didn’t get a chance to. What was it about

PAULA It was all about the stupid self-driving trucks and all of the regulations with them and whether or not they are actually safe.

SAM What did it say?

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PAULA It wasn’t that in depth but it had safety concerns based on the computer being the only one running the truck. It was talking about how the truck has an algorithm that will choose which accident in a no win situation will cause the least amount of damage and who gets to program these algorithms. The article was asking is this moral? And then it also asked about the overseers and what happens to them if a truck does fail and causes an accident. I don’t know, It definitely did leave a lot of things unanswered and this whole switch seemed to happen overnight.

SAM Jeez, I was telling Jay about this before Church this morning! I really don’t like him basically being the overseer of a self-driving truck. What if he has to pee and the truck crashes when he goes or if he simply can’t fix a problem? Will he lose his job? Will he be arrested for the accident? Will he be sued? I don’t know. I really hate these trucks because of what it is doing to this city and drivers like Pete. I just hope its goes as smoothly as possible.

Bells begin tolling in the background indicating mass is going to begin in a few minutes.

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SAM Okay, I gotta get back to Jay. Thanks for talking Paula, please say hi to Pete for me! We will definitely all have to catch up soon.

PAULA Yes for sure. Nice seeing you

Both Paula and Sam hug each other and begin to walk into church. Paula goes into the pew on the other side of Church and Sam walks up to the pew Jay and her kids are in, kneels, makes the sign of the cross and goes into the pew as is common practice for a Catholic.

JAY Hows everything with Paula and Pete?

SAM She’s worried about the same thing I was this morning with the trucks Jay. I am not going to get into it now but please take this seriously those trucks aren’t perfect and there’s a reason they hired overseers! Jay just be careful the trucks only manage so much.

JAY Sam, it’s a truck, I love you, I know what I am doing and if anything goes wrong it’s the truck’s fault and the company’s, not mine. Please let’s not ruin a good thing baby! I have a job when this whole industry just took a 180.

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SAM Okay. I love you too.

Sam stops talking about her worries with the trucks sits forward as Church is beginning and bows her head to say a quick prayer as the procession into the Church by the pastor begins. Scene 15 INT. United Shipping Monday Morning Jay walks into United Shipping’s warehouse ad is looking at an unfamiliar sight, an empty warehouse with no drivers. John walks in and begins to approach Jay.

JOHN Definitely feels different doesn’t it?

JAY Yea man its weird, all the trucks are here, the warehouse is full of, but there are no drivers. Doesn’t make any sense but I guess this is how the future goes now.

JOHN You ready for the new roll?

JAY John its pretty much all automated, yes I’m fine!

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JOHN Jay please just be careful I really don’t want anything coming back and biting us in the ass. These trucks are new and who knows how good they actually are.

JAY (Walking away from John) Okay John I got it lets get to work. Speaking of, why do they even need you? I mean the trucks are self driving and I over see them so you just sit with your thumb up your ass?

JOHN Yea yea! I’m here to make sure you don’t blow up any trucks or run one million dollars worth of merchandise off a cliff. (John laughs as he catches up to Jay and pushes him in a friendly way)

Scene 16 INT. New overseer work place midday Jay is sitting at his new station which has six large screens in a 3 by 2 set up. Jay has one set of controls with a switchboard which seems to swap between trucks 1 through 6. There are two other overseers in the room with Jay. In walks John and he walks

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from the other two overseers, making sure everything is running okay and moves on to Jay and stops by Jay.

JOHN A lot different from being in one of those big trucks all day huh?

JAY I mean this is awesome, so far not a peep other than a couple minor warnings about brake pressure.

JOHN (in a quiet voice so the other drivers do not hear) Just keep your eyes out like I said I don’t know how much I trust these trucks just yet. Like I said man we are the frontrunners with this and don’t want you or I getting caught up in any shit.

JAY I know John. I am not going to let these trucks blow up or anything.

John walks around one more time, leaves the room and the overseers continue to work at their stations. On each monitor there is a breakdown with front, side, and rear view cameras, as well as a control center with a virtual semi truck that has areas that can light up if there is a problem. The monitors also have gauges for tire pressure, oil pressure, engine temperature, air temperature, altitude, brake line pressure, and every other thing you can imagine. The camera fades out as the workers continue to look at the screens of the trucks.

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Scene 17 INT. Jay’s Living Room Evening Jay walks into the house and is greeted by Sam, Kim, and Jay Jr. Sam, Kim, and Jay Jr. are all playing on the living room floor with the German Shepherd Daisy. Kim gets up and runs towards her dad and jumps into his arms.

KIM

Daddy you’re home!

JAY Hey baby, how was school today?

KIM It was good! We did of addition and subtraction in math class today!

JAY That is awesome baby! Daddy also learned a lot of new things at work today. I controlled six big trucks all at once!

KIM

(With a look of admiration) Daddy how did you drive six trucks?

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JAY Well they drive them selves and I make sure they don’t do anything stupid

KIM Daddy that’s awesome

JAY Thanks baby! Go wash up for dinner I’m sure your mom has been working hard on it!

Kim kisses Jay and gets Jay Jr. to go with her down the hallway. Jay walks over to Sam who has not said a word since he walked in and Jay has a look of worry on his face.

JAY Hey my love! How was your day?

SAM It was interesting! Did you see the article on the news today about that self driving car that hit the bicyclist.

JAY Baby, you are still on this?? (Begins walking away from Sam and then stops) Seriously, nothing bad is gonna happen.

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SAM But it already did! It was a self driving taxi that ended up hitting a bicyclist and she died! The news was already asking all these questions about who is at fault and who isn’t. What happens if a truck you’re in control of also malfunctions? Or what if you’re not paying attention and because of that the truck hits someone. It was different when you could actually control the truck but now you’re behind a screen, you get up to use the bathroom, you eat lunch, what if you just mess up!

JAY Baby please! I get it, these trucks are newm, they might not be perfect but I drove for how many years without an accident and now when someone or something else is driving you begin freaking out.

SAM I’m just worried that if something happens with these trucks and it causes serious damage you will also be in trouble.

JAY

Well until I royally mess up lets just be happy I have a job unlike so many other drivers. Go talk to Paula and Pete and then tell me how bad this job is.

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SAM You’re right I’m sorry this is all just so new and I felt a lot more comfortable when you had full control

JAY I know baby

Jay kisses Sam on the forehead and walks down the hall to wash up for dinner. Sam goes into the kitchen and begins setting the table for dinner. In comes Kim, Jay Jr. and Jay who all begin to sit down for dinner. Scene 18 INT. United Shipping John’s office Friday morning. Jay walks in to John’s office and sits down at the chair on the opposite side of John’s desk. John is buried in his laptop and barely acknowledges Jay walking in to his office. Jay closes his laptop screen in an attempt to tell John to look up for a second.

JAY

What’s up with you? Ever since these new trucks have came in you have been nonstop behind that screen! My sister says you’re barely home anymore

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JOHN Jay, I’m still worried about these trucks and in all honesty it’s ironic, we have automated trucks and automated loaders of trucks but somehow my work has increases 10 fold!

JAY What do you mean man?

JOHN You guys oversee the actual running of the trucks but I am overseeing this whole branch now, making sure shit gets loaded, unloaded, delivered, new orders filled etc. I’m going to tell United we need to hire a few more people here to help out. I get we are the first location to do this and test the operations with these trucks but damn man! I can’t even catch a breath it feels like. It’ll be crazy till we get some more help.

JAY I know. If I can help at all let me know man.

JOHN Like I said before just don’t let the damn truck kill anybody.

Jay walks out of John’s office with a puzzled look on his face. It’s as if he knows something is wrong with these trucks and

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doesn’t say anything to the workers. Jay walks down the hall and enters the overseers room. Jay sits down and logs in to his work station as the other two overseers, Mike and Brad walk in.

MIKE What’s up Jay?

JAY

What’s up Mike, sup Brad?

BRAD Not much man. Another day of pushing buttons.

Mike, and Brad let out a little laugh but Jay doesn’t even chuckle as he seems worried because of John’s remarks.

JAY Yea that’s what I thought too! I can’t tell if John is just super stressed or if something is up. He keeps saying how he doesn’t trust these trucks and just wants to make sure nothing happens.

BRAD I really don’t know Jay. I mean they have been tested, and are supposed to be safer than regular drivers so I don’t know why he’d be worried. But whatever, just do our jobs and we can’t get in trouble. It is the systems fault if something happens not ours.

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JAY Yea that’s what I keep telling everyone, lets hope that’s the case.

Jay swivels his chair to face his station. His station is made up of 6 monitors 3 long and 2 high in a curved fashion. His station has a keyboard, switchboard, joystick, and other controls, levers, switches, and knobs. The different controls control everything from releasing too much pressure in certain lines, to being able to manually control and steer a truck. Jay begins flipping a few switches as his screen shows four trucks starting up and the dock door where they were staying open up. The doors finish opening and Jay’s trucks begin to pull out one by one and all go in separate directions. Jay begins checking the gauges of the trucks and continues in his normal work fashion. Fast forward a few hours and Jay is still sitting at his desk, he had a couple warning lights come on for the brakes on truck number 3 which is driving through the Smoky Mountains but was able to adjust the pressure and make sure they were all okay. The truck continues to drive on and screen 3 shows the truck going up and down the mountain roads.

JAY

Hey Mike, I gotta hit the head real quick. Would you mind making sure everything is okay over here for a few minutes? I just a couple warnings I want to make sure they are okay.

MIKE Yea for sure.

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Mike, being the closer to Jay’s work station than Brad’s slides over to Jay’s for a second and make’s sure everything looks good and then slides back to his station. As Mike slides back over to this station Jay’s number three monitor begins flashing red again. Mike doesn’t realize it at first, about 30 seconds later the warning alarm goes off. Mike rushes over to Jay’s station and sees a loss of pressure from Jay’s truck 3 brakes. Mike tries to fix the brakes but apparently all pressure has been lost. The truck is seen passing a runaway truck ramp and Jay comes rushing in.

JAY

(Pushes Mike away from his work station) Mike what the hell happened?!

MIKE I don’t know. Everything was fine and then all of a sudden your brake light went on and it lost pressure.

JAY Didn’t the truck pass a runaway ramp, what about the back-up brakes? Fuck!

Jay uses his intercom function on his system

JAY (over the intercom) John get down here man truck three has a problem.

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Jay and Mike are still by his station as Brad is looking over both his and Mike’s station. Jay zooms in on the front camera of his truck and notices that traffic is at a standstill in front of him.

JAY Fuck there’s no way this truck will be stopped in time, I gotta try and jackknife it.

MIKE You do realize there’s over a million dollars of deliveries on that truck and the truck itself is worth double that!

JAY It’s either that or I’m gonna plow into all those cars up there.

Jay turns on the manual controls and begins trying to swerve the truck back and forth on the joystick but the truck doesn’t even begin to move. John comes rushing in and walks over to Jay’s station.

JAY Truck three lost its brakes and apparently the manual override doesn’t do shit right now!

JOHN What the fuck?! What are you trying to do in manual mode?

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JAY Nothing now, its not working!

JOHN Do you see that traffic up there?! Please tell me that!

JAY John nothing is working! This truck lost its brakes and the manual mode is worthless. I think something happened to the truck!

The truck continues pummeling towards the traffic ahead of it and The scene cuts as the truck is about to hit the traffic Scene 19 INT. Living Room late Night Sam is watching the local news and the main story is the runaway truck which ended up killing at least 10 people and injuring many more.

NEWS ANCHOR So far this accident has led to 10 deaths and dozens others hospitalized. The truck was being operated by the local United Shipping location. Apparently the truck lost its brakes and control system. The truck ran into three cars and a school bus of kids going to a field trip of the museum of technology and automation.

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KIM

Where’s daddy mom?

SAM

I don’t know Kim. It’s time for bed though.

Sam takes Kim down the hall gets her ready for bed and puts her in it as Jay Jr. is already in his crib.

KIM

Can you tell me a story! (In an excited hopeful voice)

SAM Not tonight baby mom has to take care of something. Go to bed! I’m sorry. I love you.

Sam kisses Kim who has rolled over to her other side in a sign of sadness because her mom won’t read her a bedtime story. Sam walks out of the room and back into the living room as she sits back down to the news. In walks Jay about 20 minutes later. Jay comes in and throws hangs up his coat and tosses his keys and wallet in the little tray by the door. Sam gets up off the couch and rushes towards Jay and hugs him.

SAM

Oh my God Jay?! What the hell happened today?

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JAY The truck malfunctioned, the brakes gave out and the manual override was not working.

SAM You couldn’t call me!? Why the hell are you home so late!?

JAY (Begins walking towards the kitchen and grabs a beer out of the fridge, twists off the cap and throws the cap on the counter) They immediately did a review of what happened. Corporate came in, the police came in and an investigative agency was in there to see what actually happened.

SAM

Well what the hell did happen Jay?

JAY I went to take a piss and when I got back Mike was scrambling by my monitor. Apparently the brakes gave out, the truck missed the runaway ramp, and I couldn’t do anything but sit there and watch.

SAM Why did you have to stay though? That isn’t your fault! The truck messed up!

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JAY They are trying to figure out exactly what happened. They have to know whether or not I could have prevented this.

SAM What do you mean? How the hell could you have prevented this?!

JAY Sam I don’t know! John was also questioned all day. I know they don’t think we did this on purpose but man it definitely seems like it the way they were questioning us. They’re trying to see whether or not I could have known about the brake problem. They think the brake problem that caused the rest of the override functions to malfunction and not do anything.

SAM (With a worried look on her face and tears welling in her eyes) So now what Jay?! This is exactly what I was worried about.

JAY John and I are going to be investigated. The situation is going to be and they are going to try and figure out what actually happened. Both John and I gave drug tests today.

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SAM Then what!?

JAY Well the police are going to investigate. The national Highway Safety Organization is going to investigate, and this could take months. But who knows, Sam, people died! A lot of people and more are injured. I’m sure the families are going to sue, the companies who had their product in the truck are going to sue. And if the states attorney finds anything in my system then they might come after me. If they think I could have or John could have prevented this they also might come after us. I have no idea.

SAM What do you mean if they find anything in your test?

JAY You know I smoke here and there when the PTSD gets really bad Sam. I’m sure there is going to be traces of marijuana in my piss and hair samples.

SAM Jay! (Sam begins walking away from Jay and sits down on the couch as she puts her head into hands)

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In comes Daisy who puts her head in Sam’s lap and begins trying to kiss her. Sam pushes Daisy away and tells her to lay down. Daisy does so and groans as she does. Jay walks over and sits down next to Sam

JAY Sam there was nothing anyone could have done! The trucks probably needed more testing and they didn’t have it. The brakes failed I could not have fixed them remotely. This is not anyone’s fault other than the truck’s! John will be talking to corporate tomorrow and we will find out a little more.

SAM What’s happening with work?

JAY United has suspended its operations pending this investigation and John and I are on leave right now. I’m gonna need to find something else.

SAM That’s the least of our worries right now Jay! What if they come after you!? What if the DA decides to press charges and says this pothead wasn’t taking his job seriously and got people killed as a result then what?

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JAY Baby this was not my fault! (Jay stands up from the couch and walks towards the hall leading to the bedroom) Nothing I did caused this shit and nothing I could have done would have prevented it! It’s not like I was just dicking around at work! I went to take a piss, Mike watched my station and the brakes failed. I had enough shit today at work. I was blamed all day and I certainly don’t need it from you too! I’m going to bed.

Jay walks down the hall out of sight and closes a door behind him. Sam continues to sit on the couch and Daisy comes back over and jumps on the couch putting her head in Sam’s lap and Sam allows her to stay and begins petting her and lightly crying. Scene 20 INT. Next Morning Day Jay is seen from the kitchen window by Sam. Jay is outside on the lawn with his cell phone in hand. Cut to outside listening to Jay’s conversation

JAY

What the hell is going on man?

JOHN Apparently they are saying I should have never given you the

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job and they are also wondering what happened. They want to pin this on operator error as well as truck error. They are going to try and say you could have checked the brakes, released the pressure, or some other bull shit like going to the runaway ramp before the brakes fully gave way.

JAY You know that is bull shit man! There is nothing I could have done.

JOHN I know that man but there are deaths man, there is millions in damage, and again Jay . . . People died and more were injured. This wasn’t just a fender bender.

JAY

So I have to take the damn fall cuz the truck messed up?!

JOHN No one said that Jay and I’m in hot water too!

JAY Yea you’re gonna be in trouble with corporate at worst you are not worrying about murder charges man!

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JOHN Jay calm down, even if they find weed. Its medically prescribed and you have never used before, or during work I will vouch for you for that! This sucks but let them do their investigation and figure this out later!

Cut back to the interior with Sam in the kitchen, Kim comes out of her room and goes to the table.

KIM Why is daddy not at work mom?

SAM He is taking care of a few things today!

KIM

Can I have the cereal and milk?

SAM Huh? O yea of course (Sam goes and grabs the cereal and milk from the cabinet and pours some for Kim)

Jay is seen coming to the door and is met by Sam out of earshot of Kim

SAM What did he say?

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JAY He says he’ll have my back if stuff goes south, but he gets its not my fault and will vouch for that. He said don’t worry about the weed because its medical and I never used at work. Also he said that they should just conduct their investigation and figure out what the hell they say.

SAM That doesn’t tell us anything.

JAY You don’t think I don’t realize that Sam. That’s all I know right now, there is going to be an investigation and depending on what they do I’m going to have to testify.

Jay walks away from Sam and goes to kitchen table where he kisses Kim and sits down next to her. Jay Jr. is heard crying from his room and Sam goes to take care of him. Kim is playing with her cereal and Jay barely cracks a smirk. Jay stares out of the window and the scene ends with Jay looking out the window. Scene 21 INT. John’s house 3 months later Jay, John, and their families are all together in the house. Jay and John walk away from the rest and make their way to John’s garage where John tosses Jay a beer and opens one for himself. Both toss their caps on the counter and begin talking.

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JAY So the investigation is done already?

JOHN They finished this fast because of everything surrounding it and the media attention man.

JAY What did they say?

JOHN You’re not gonna like this but they can’t fully determine whether or not you could have prevented this. They say the brakes would have failed regardless but say their were warning signs immediately before and you should have directed the truck to the runaway ramp before something like this happened.

JAY What the hell does that mean for me?

JOHN It means you might be held liable man! We both might be. I am in deep shit for hiring someone with no experience with trucks like these and they’re gonna try and paint you as this guy who didn’t do his job and because of that

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people will get killed. The DA said they are going to be prosecuting this case though.

JAY (In complete silence whips his beer across the garage causing it to shatter against the wall)

JOHN I’m in trouble too!

JAY Not like me!

JOHN Yes like you! They are saying I contributed to this by hiring you. They are going to say I gave my friend a job he never should have had! This is bad for both of us!

JAY What are we gonna do?!

JOHN United is supposed to supply us an attorney for situations like this but because of the circumstances I don’t know man. I think we should both get private ones.

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JAY I can’t afford that and neither can you!

JOHN Yea I don’t know. If they assign us one awesome, but I’m worried they are going to try and pull some BS because I hired my friend (john makes the air quotes sign) and because of your shit.

JAY What shit! I did not fucking cause this!

JOHN

I know, I’m saying that is how they are going to portray it! Calm down it’ll all work out. United will likely give us an attorney and we can figure out everything. You were not negligent man, it’s not like you were high or drunk and the truck failed. The truck is supposed to monitor stuff like this and hit the run away ramp when it is likely to fail and it didn’t. We will be fine! This sucks but we just have to go through the process.

JAY (Jay begins pacing and walking in circles) I really don’t know what to say! Sam is going to shit a brick!

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What if I go to jail!? Who’s gonna watch Sam and the kids?

JOHN Well I always wanted a second wife (John tries to lighten the mood and chuckles a little bit) Actually no . . . I can barely handle your sister let alone another wife.

JAY Seriously?! Jay smirks a little bit) Just please have my back through this! I’m gonna need you to vouch for me through this process.

JOHN I will. In the meantime, we will continue to do what we’re doing. The commission is gonna wanna talk to us in the next few weeks when their proceedings begin. I think the results of this will reveal what happens with the DA. Lets just deal with this after that.

John and Jay continue talking as they are making their way inside the house. The scene fades as Jay and John go inside and you can see them sitting their wives down at the table to tell them what is going on.

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Scene 22 INT. Court House Day Jay and John walk into the court house where the trial is happening and Jay and John begin talking about what is going to happen today.

JOHN

Jay we are in a similar boat here! This is your trial but I will be here for you! The panel found both of us liable but the DA is only charging you with the deaths.

JAY Yea I got it. I know! I still cant believe the panel fired both of us and said this was our fault!

JOHN You know you didn’t kill those people John. Your wife is here for you and so are your kids, this is not the committee hearing. You will have the ability to tell your part of the story.

Scene skips forward a little bit to when the Court is in session and his attorney is giving an opening statement.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY The horrific trucking accident that caused the death of 13 persons is exactly that, horrific. However another thing that is horrific is that my client being charged with 13 counts of

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Involuntary Manslaughter. Really ladies and gentleman, he is not liable for these deaths and as sad as they are, the real at fault party is not on trial today. The makers of this truck who knew they would have some bugs to work out and United Shipping who rushed these trucks into use are the ones who should be on trial. These corporate giants want to put the blame on a loving husband, father, dedicated worked, and veteran who risked his life for this country. Now this court is trying to say that this man who risked his life to protect everyone in this country and courtroom was purposely trying to kill someone when he simply had to use the bathroom! Really ladies and gentlemen? At the end of this trial you will be convinced that there is only one verdict that justice demand, and that is not guilty. Send a message to these big companies that they need to take the blame and cannot, I repeat, CANNOT place the blame on an incident worker. Again, I urge you to truly listen to the evidence and you will be convinced that my client is guilty of nothing more than being a scapegoat! Thank you

Jay’s attorney goes back to the table next to Jay. The scene becomes a little muffled as the camera changes to Jay’s point of view and he sees his wife and kids and is unsure what is going to come of his trial. The muffled voices become clear as the prosecutor says he is ready to proceed. The scene again fast forwards to when Jay is on the stand and giving his testimony. Direct examination is continuing.

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ATTORNEY FOR JAY Please Jay tell us what happened next.

JAY Like I said I came back in after like a 30 second bathroom break and my screen was flashing. I did everything I could to fix the brake failure. I tried everything. I even tried to manually jackknife the truck but nothing worked! Its as if the truck’s controls wouldn’t allow me to cause damage to the truck

ATTORNEY FOR JAY And then what happened?

JAY I did everything I could. The truck controls were not working. And unfortunately the truck struck the cars in front of it and the bus.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY How has this affected you?

JAY I haven’t been able to eat, sleep

PROSCECUTOR Objection your honor!

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JUDGE

Overruled. I’ll allow it, but make it quick.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY Go ahead Jay.

JAY I have been a trucker for 15 years! This is all I have known since I got back from the war and have never had an accident. This is the last thing I wanted to happen. I took the safety and training courses and this was due to a catastrophic failure of the brakes.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY In your best knowledge what happened.

JAY The brakes failed and the fluid apparently caused the controls and the computer to go haywire. I did everything I could that day. I went to take a piss. (Looks at the judge who was about to scold him for his language) I’m sorry your honor . . . I went to use the restroom, had someone cover me. And I tried to fix this. This is not what I wanted to happen!

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ATTORNEY FOR JAY What happened after all of this?

JAY I was questioned for hours and made to feel like a criminal all because the truck failed. I was questioned by the cops, the trucking company, and everyone in between.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY Did you fail to do anything that could have prevented this?

JAY I tried everything! The truck was working fine and then all of a sudden it failed. United rushed these trucks out to save money and should have tested them more.

ATTORNEY FOR JAY Nothing Further.

JUDGE Cross?

PROSECUTOR Yes your honor! Jay you were not at the computer when the truck failed were you?

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JAY No.

PROSCECUTOR So it is fair to say you don’t know exactly what happened.

JAY The brakes failed!

PROSECUTOR We know that! But, who knows maybe this could have been avoided! In fact it is known that these trucks give signals before something like this is going to happen right?

JAY They’re supposed to.

PROSCECUTOR And they did before you went to the bathroom, but you decided this was a good time to take a bathroom break?

ATTORNEY FOR JAY Objection, Your honor argumentative!

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JUDGE Overrruled.

PROSCECUTOR In fact you were not there to see if any signals came on were you?

JAY Well no.

PROSCECUTOR And you were not there to guide the truck on the runaway ramp before the controls failed were you?

JAY I tried.

PROSCECUTOR You tried after everything failed and after the truck missed the runaway ramp right?

JAY I . . .

PROSECUTOR Is it not also true that you are a marijuana card holder?

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ATTORNEY FOR JAY

Objection Judge relevance?!

JUDGE

Overruled, answer the question witness.

JAY

I have episodes of PTSD and this helps me control it.

PROSECUTOR Were you high on the day of the accident?

JAY Were you oversees protecting every American’s freedom.

JUDGE Witness!

JAY

(Interrupting the Judge) I was not high this day! I use the medical marijuana every so often to control my PTSD! I’m sorry the war I fought for your freedom to drag me through the mud requires medication.

JUDGE Mr. Witness! You will control yourself or I will find you in

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contempt! Counsel (speaking to Jay’s attorney) Control your client or you will also be held in contempt. Prosecutor you may continue.

PROSECUTOR Thank you your honor one last question. Jay, you left your post and when this happened the truck “Failed” (making air quotes) and you could do absolutely nothing to stop it?

ATTORNEY FOR JAY OBJECTION! Is there a question or does he want to be the witness?!

PROSECUTOR (over Jay’s attorney) Is this true? You want us to believe that if you stayed at your computer the same outcome would have ensued?!

ATTORNEY FOR JAY Objection your honor who is the witness here?!

JUDGE Sustained. (Bangs gavel) We will break for the day and come back tomorrow.

The Judge bangs his gavel again and arises. Everyone in the court room arises and begins to exit the court room.

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Jay who is out on bail goes with his wife and leaves the courtroom. Sam grab his husbands hand and they walk out of the court together. Scene fades as Jay is leaving the court house. Scene 23 INT. Court House Day Before the trial proceeds Jay is talking to his wife and John

JAY I swear man these trucks have really ruined my life. Not only did the trucks take away my job and everyone’s in this town but now it might be taking my freedom and life.

In walks the judge and Jay, John, and Sam are interrupted by the bailiff.

BAILIFF All rise!

JUDGE (Judge walks to his seat) You may be seated!

Next the bailiff opens the Jury room door and in comes the jury

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JUDGE Mr. Foreman have you reached a verdict?

FOREMAN Yes, we have your honor.

JUDGE How do you find the defendant?

FOREMAN We find the Defendant . . .

The scene becomes quiet before the foreman can render a verdict and cuts to black before a decision is made. This signals the uncertainty with the trucks. Automated technology and everything to come.