Let It Be
March 17th, 2021
Starring: Pranav, Stefan, Tim, Reggie (all male, mid/late 20’s)
A Spring afternoon in the park. Pranav, Stefan, Tim, and Reggie are all sitting in lawn chairs, beers in hand. Pranav stands, holding his beer high:
PRANAV
Well, we’re here. It's been a crazy, bumpy, exhausting journey, but we’re here.
It wasn’t too long ago we were in our quad dorm room, high as kites, throwing around a crazy stupid idea for podcast discovery. Since then, we turned that crazy stupid idea into a living, breathing business. One that really really works. And tomorrow, after three years of hard-ass work, we're signing the papers on a ten million seed round. Spliffs to Series A, boys. We did it.
I know that we’re going scale up. More hires, office space, dealing with our backers. Things are going to change. But while we’re here, as us, I want to say the fact that we did it together, as a team, as friends, might be the thing I’m most proud of.
So here's to PodSwipe. Now, and forever.
ALL
Cheers!
They all cheers beers.
STEFAN
And to a steady income!
TIM
Yeah, maybe you can finally get a haircut.
STEFAN
Hey, the ladies dig the locks.
TIM
Your mom when she does your laundry?
REGGIE
She still does your laundry?
PRANAV
She never stopped.
STEFAN
I have no shame. None at all.
And I’ll have you know the look’s working on someone.
TIM
Your mom?
STEFAN
No.
PRANAV
Is that your way of saying...?
STEFAN
I’m kind of seeing someone.
REGGIE
Woah what—??
TIM
Look at you, big boy—
STEFAN
I’ve been keeping quiet, because I don’t want to jinx it.
But she’s amazing. Bold. Unafraid to challenge me.
REGGIE
On what?
STEFAN
Style, business, philosophy. Everything.
TIM
Wow—
PRANAV
What does she do?
STEFAN
She's also a developer. Backend for Shopify.
TIM
Sounds like a sweet deal.
STEFAN
Actually she’s pretty unhappy. Probably looking to make a move soon.
PRANAV
Oh...
STEFAN
Yeah.
Startups are more of her speed.
REGGIE
We’re a startup.
STEFAN
Right, Reg.
I’ve seen her work, she’s good. Like, better than me good.
TIM
Damn.
…
PRANAV
Well I’m sure she’ll find a better—
STEFAN
I was thinking we could hire her. As our fifth.
I know I’m biased but...she’s a wizard. I think she’s our missing piece.
We’re gonna need more backend help anyways. We should get her onboard before someone else does.
...
What do we think?
The other three look at each other, unsure of what to say.
REGGIE
I mean...if Stef’s admitting someone’s better than him, she has to be good.
TIM
Couldn’t hurt to consider, right?
STEFAN
Exactly. What’s the hurt?
…
Pranav?
PRANAV
Uh...
Sorry, I don’t like it.
Not her, but the whole concept of...
STEFAN
Her being a girl?
PRANAV
Her being your girlfriend. It doesn't matter who it is, romance in the workplace muddles progress.
STEFAN
She wouldn’t. I promise you, we'd get even more done.
PRANAV
Or completely destruct everything we’ve built.
STEFAN
You don’t even know her.
PRANAV
I don’t need to. Past history's our guide.
STEFAN
Like when?
PRANAV
Yoko Ono.
Silence. The other three look at Pranav. From here, the conversation splits into two overlapping dialogues: Pranav and Stefan, Tim and Reggie:
PRANAV
What, I'm the only one who sees it?
TIM
Waitwaitwait—
REGGIE
We’re The Beatles—?!
STEFAN (to Pranav, continued)
You’re racist.
TIM (to Reggie, continued)
Do you think Stefan is John??
PRANAV (to Stefan, continued)
I’m racist?!?!
REGGIE (to Tim, continued)
I guess of podcast recommendation tools—
STEFAN
Just because she’s half-Vietnamese doesn’t make her Yoko.
TIM
I kind of thought I was John...
PRANAV
I don't know what she looks like! I was talking about the situation!
REGGIE
No, you’re totally George—
STEFAN
Not the same! This is a business decision, not a romantic one!
TIM
George? Then who does that make you??
PRANAV
Horseshit! You’re in love, and you’re willing to jeopardize my company to get it!
REGGIE
Paul, obviously.
STEFAN
Your company?! How is it your company if I wrote most of the code?
TIM
Umm I think Pranav’s Paul.
PRANAV
I wrote the algorithm, which is the only reason we got funding in the first place!
REGGIE
Then who am I—?
STEFAN
Well if you’re so confident, then take your shitty little algorithm and leave!
TIM
Uhhh
PRANAV
Great, I will!
REGGIE
Wait Tim who am I—?
STEFAN
Great. I’ll go too. She and I’ll make such a better algorithm, you’ll wish you’d never been born!
Stefan sticks a finger at Reggie and Tim.
STEFAN
I don’t even need these two bimbos!
Stefan’s finger breaks Reggie and Tim out of their dialogue. They quickly become incensed and join the fray:
TIM
Bimbo?! BIMBO?!
Oh nonono I can write just as good a program as either of you dicks! You’re just afraid to unleash the beast!!
REGGIE
YEAH! I can write my own stuff too!
Pranav, Stefan, and Tim stop fighting and look at Reggie. They all laugh. Reggie joins in with them. He’s not sure why to laugh, but he’s laughing. After everyone settles:
PRANAV
So it’s settled. May the best code win.
STEFAN
Looking forward to it.
TIM
It’s been real, assholes.
They all stride off in their separate directions. Reggie stays standing, calling out:
REGGIE
Wait
Guys?
The other three turn around:
REGGIE
What should I tell the VC firm?
PRANAV
Stefan chose love.
STEFAN
Pranav played it safe.
TIM
I wanted my moment.
They all do their own version of a shrug, turn back around and walk away.
REGGIE
That was three things...
Reggie stands there, unsure of what to do.
REGGIE
Who’s the fourth Beatle?
He remembers.
REGGIE
Oh no.