{"id":"000000000000000000000000","owner_id":"000000000000000000000000","title":"Cold Call","text":"INT. SCAFFLOW OFFICE – MORNING\n\nA cramped, not-very-sexy startup office.\n\nCheap vinyl banner on the wall: \"SCAFFLOW - THE CRM FOR SCAFFOLDING PROS\"\n\nFluorescent lights hum. Exposed ductwork. A dying plant in the corner.\n\nBARRY SPERRY, 40s, charismatic “good ol’ boy” ex-middle-school-baseball-coach energy in a startup hoodie, stands at a whiteboard covered in half-erased pipeline numbers and arrows. The company values are written on the board: OWN EVERY LEAD, CLOSE THE LOOP, NEVER LOSE A NAME, ALWAYS FOLLOW UP\n\nMIA, early 20s, the lone intern, sits at a wobbly desk with a laptop and a cheap headset.\n\nBarry underlines a number on the board with a squeaky marker.\n\nBARRY\nThis right here is our whole life.\n\nOn the board: MONTHLY CHURN and NEW SUBS scribbled.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nIf this number... “new subscribers” stays bigger than this number “cancellations”... we get to keep coming here to drink terrible coffee.\n\nHe taps the churn number. Insert to an over used Keurig machine.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nThe second this one wins, we are dead. Not “pivot”. Dead.\n\nMia nods, half amused.\n\nMIA\nInspirational.\n\nBARRY\nThat’s the job. They tell you startups are bean bags and IPOs..\n\nHe gestures around at the dingy office. Clearly over caffeinated and feeling himself.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nWe’re the “please don’t unsubscribe” kind.\n\nHe tosses the marker, claps his hands once.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nAlright. Big picture. Scafflow is a CRM for scaffolding and construction outfits. We help them track bids, jobs, who owes what. It is not sexy.\n\nHe holds up a hand.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nBut it is sticky.\n\nMIA\n(Half questioning, half confirming)\nSticky is good.\n\nBARRY\nSticky is rent. Sticky is a big payout for all of us.\n\nHe moves to her desk, leans on the back of her chair, pointing at her screen.\n\nON MIA’S LAPTOP – a bare-bones web app. Rows of customer names, contact counts, subscription status.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nOur guys don’t read marketing blogs, they don’t “join the funnel,” okay? They don’t care about drip campaigns or push notifications.\n\nHe catches himself, looks at her.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nThey care about not dropping a scaffold on somebody’s Mercedes and getting paid on time.\n\nMIA\nSo... no TikTok strategy.\n\nBARRY\nIf you ever say “TikTok strategy” to one of these guys, they will hang up so hard your headset will fall off.\n\nShe smiles despite herself.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nThey work outside. They like clipboards. They yell a lot. They are not your average “technical savvy customer.”\n\nHe makes air quotes badly.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nWhich is why conferences are gold.\nYou get ‘em in a hotel bar? You buy ‘em a steak? That’s where you close.\n\nHe taps her headset on the desk.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nThe rest of the year, we live on this. Cold calls. Actual conversations. Man to man. \n\nBeat.\n\nMIA\nOr woman to man.\n\nBARRY\nOr woman to man. Absolutely. Just\nhuman to human. You talk to them\nlike you’d talk to your uncle, not\nlike a robot. Become their friends. Know their family. Transparency is everything.\n\nMia glances at the pipeline chart on her screen.\n\nMIA\nSo most of my time here is just... calling people who don’t want to talk to me.\n\nBARRY\nYes. But the ones who do? Those are the difference between us being a company and me going back to yelling at seventh graders about grounders.\n\nMIA\n(pondering)\nYou coached baseball?\n\nBARRY\nYeah. Middle school. Before this.\n\nHe shrugs it off.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nOK. Let me show you how to do a cold call.\n\nHe sits at his computer, wakes up his monitor.\n\nHe leans in and makes a call.\n\nNo answer. He shrugs it off and immediately pulls up the next. \n\nBARRY\n(clicking fast)\nWe archive that for later then move on to the next.\n\n\nClose up on monitor:\n\n    A simple CRM screen:\n    LEADS\n    JACOB HENLEY – HENLEY CONSTRUCTION\n    STATUS: NEW\n    TITLE: OWNER / CEO\n    PHONE: (713) 555-0134\n\nBack to the scene:\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nFresh lead. Met us at some regional conference in Houston. Watch closely.\n\nHe clicks CALL on a softphone app. The SPEAKERPHONE RINGS.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\n(low, to Mia)\nKey thing is, you sound like a\nperson, not a script.\n\nHe straightens in his chair as the line connects.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nHello?\n\nBarry flips the charm on.\n\nBARRY\nHello, Jacob! This is Barry Sperry\ncalling from Scafflow. We’re the CRM for scaffolding and construction outfits. How you doing today?\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\n(Bit of a southwestern drawl)\nI’m alright, son. Can’t complain.\n\nBARRY\nLove to hear that. Did I catch you\nat a bad time?\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nNo, no. The business more or less runs itself these days. I don’t really do much of the day-to-day.\n\nBarry gives Mia a smug little nod. See?\n\nBARRY\n(Says with a witty smirk)\nThat’s the dream.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nI spend most of my time on the ministry now.\n\nBarry hits MUTE. The call timer continues silently.\n\nBARRY\n(to Mia, low)\nThis is where you act interested in their personal life. You connect, then you steer back to the pitch.\n\nMia nods, taking mental notes.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nHello?\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nSorry, still here, Jacob! Ministry, that’s interesting. What kind of church is it?\n\nA pause. Jacob’s voice comes back changed. Softer, concentrated.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nWell, it’s not a church. It’s personal one-on-one work. \n(beat) \nActually, Barry. I really didn’t expect this. The Holy Ghost is asking me to speak with you. Do you mind?\n\nBarry blinks. Looks at Mia, who shrugs.\n\nBARRY\nUh... sorry?\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nThe Holy Ghost is asking to speak with you, Barry.\n\nBeat. Barry forces a smile he doesn’t feel.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nRather, through me. Do you mind if I do?\n\nBARRY\nSure. Yeah. Go ahead.\n\nMia sits up, uncertain if this is some weird sales tactic or not.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nYou used to coach baseball?\n\nBarry’s proud smirk comes up automatically.\n\nBARRY\nI did! I mean, yeah, a long time ago—\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nMiddle school boys. Red dirt field. Lights that didn’t always work.\n\nMia glances at a dusty LITTLE LEAGUE TROPHY on a shelf by Barry’s desk she hadn’t noticed before.\n\nBARRY\nDid I... did I tell you that at the conference?\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nThere was a girl who came to every game. Sat on the third-base side. Ponytail. Green jacket. You remember her don’t you?\n\nBarry’s hand tightens on the mouse. He’s looking at the contact in the software.\n\nBARRY\nI don’t... I’m not sure who you’re talking about.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nYou know who I’m talking about, son.\n\nMia looks between him and the speakerphone, sensing the air change.\n\nJACOB (V.O.) (CONT'D)\nYou thought no one would you see, Barry?\n\nSilence. Only the faint electronic hum of the office.\n\nBARRY\n(Getting irritated and scared at the same time)\nI have no idea what you’re talking-\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nDid you ever say her name out loud after that night?\n\nBarry’s leg bounces under the desk.\n\nBARRY\n(Irritated)\nI don’t know what you’re talking about.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nYou see the bruise on her cheek when you close your eyes. You hear the gravel under the truck tires.\n\nBarry’s eyes well up.\n\nMia leans in, spooked.\n\nMIA\n(soft)\nBarry? What is this?\n\nHe doesn’t look at her.\n\nBARRY\n(to the phone)\nI think we should just talk about the software, sir, I don’t—\n\nJACOB (CONT'D)\nSay her name, son.\n\nBarry stares at the desk, jaw clenched.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nThat’s why you’re stuck. That’s why you grind all day and never feel full. Say her name. I’m here to help you.\n\nMia is frozen; half employee, half witness.\n\nBARRY\n(barely)\nI don’t know... I’m sorry.\n\nIt looks as though Barry is about to disconnect the call.\n\nJacob’s tone shifts suddenly, almost cheerful.\n\nJACOB (CONT'D)\nThank you for letting him speak with you, Barry. See? That’s what I travel around the world doing for people. I don’t know when the Holy Ghost wishes to speak, but when he does my job is to find the recipient. I actually don’t even know what he says - that’s between you and him. Now, where did we leave off?\n\nBarry can’t breathe. Mia watches him like he’s someone she doesn’t quite know.\n\nBARRY\n(looking at Mia, trying to be professional)\nCould.. we find a good time to schedule a demo?\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nNo need, Barry. If it’ll help my guys keep better track of jobs, send me the contract. Full thing. We’ll start tomorrow.\n\nBarry stares at his monitor.\n\nBARRY\nUh... yeah. We can do... fifty\npercent off the first year. Full\nsuite. All features, including the new A.I. models.\n\nJACOB (V.O.)\nThat’s perfect! Email it over. I’ll sign it today.\n\nCLICK. The call drops.\n\nSilence. The call window returns to the CRM screen. The little LEAD STATUS flips from NEW to WON.\n\nBarry swipes at his eyes, embarrassed. He looks at Mia, trying to reset.\n\nBARRY (CONT'D)\nAnd that...\n\nHe gestures weakly toward the speakerphone.\n\nBARRY (CONT'D)\n...is how you close a deal.\n\nMia just stares at him.\n\nCUT TO:\n\n\nTitle Card: THREE DAYS LATER\n\nINT. SCAFFLOW OFFICE – AFTERNOON\n\nSame office, different day. A little messier. Coffee cups. Open chip bag.\n\nBarry and Mia work at their desks. The mood is muted but “normal.”\n\nA Slack notification DINGS on Mia’s laptop.\n\nON MIA’S SCREEN – a CUSTOMER SUPPORT CHANNEL\n\n    CLIENT – IRONSTATE SCAFFOLDING:\n    \"Hey, seeing some weird duplicate contacts in our account?\"\n\nAnother one pops in.\n\n    CLIENT – REDRIVER RESTORATION:\n    \"Did you guys push some test data? All our deals have the same person on them.\"\n\nMIA\nAre we doing a test import or something?\n\nBARRY\nNo. Why? \n\nMIA\nCustomers are seeing duplicate contacts.\n\nShe clicks into the admin panel.\n\nINSERT – Admin Console\n\nThe list populates with row after row:\n\n    CONTACT: Samantha Redding\n    ORG: HENLEY CONSTRUCTION\n    CONTACT: SAMANTHA REDDING\n    ORG: IRONSTATE SCAFFOLDING\n    CONTACT: SAMANTHA REDDING\n    ORG: REDRIVER RESTORATION\n    ...\n\nSame name. Dozens of different companies.\n\nBack to the scene:\n\nMIA\nOh, that’s... not ideal.\n\nBARRY\nWhat is it?\n\nShe swivels her screen toward him. He sees the name. Almost flinches.\n\nMIA\nDid somebody load sample data with one fake contact name?\n\nBARRY\nNo. No, we don’t... we don’t do that.\n\nMia scrolls. The number climbs as more rows load.\n\nMIA\nIt says eight hundred and... eighty three instances?\n\nShe starts typing into Slack.\n\nMIA (CONT'D)\n(reading as she types)\n“Hey all, seeing hundreds of\nduplicate contacts named ‘Samantha Redding’ across unrelated customer\naccounts. Are we running an import?”\n\nShe hits send.\n\nOn another monitor, Barry opens his own Slack.\n\nINSERT – Barry’s Slack\n\n    #dev-offshore\n\n    MIA:\n    \"Hey, any test data happening? Name 'Samantha\n    Redding' showing up everywhere.\"\n\nBeat. The channel shows “typing…”\n\n    RAJ – DEV OFFSHORE:\n    \"No test data. We checked. These rows show 'created_by: system' but no source job. Log is weird, like they appeared at the same time.\"\n\nBack to scene:\n\nBarry rubs his forehead.\n\nBARRY\nJust... delete them. Nuke them all.\n\nMIA\nOk... How?\n\nBARRY\nIt’s junk data. It’s confusing customers. Delete them, we’ll send\nan email.\n\nMIA\nNo, I mean, I’m sorry. How do we do that exactly? I have never done that.\n\nBARRY\n(Impatient)\nI can do it.\n\nHe starts selecting rows.\n\nINSERT: Admin Console\n\nA warning:\n\n    883 CONTACTS SELECTED.\n    ARE YOU SURE?\n\nHe clicks DELETE.\n\nA progress spinner. Then an error banner:\n\n    ERROR: FAILED TO DELETE SOME RECORDS.\n    Please try again.\n\nBelow, the list refreshes. Rows disappear...\n\nSlack DINGS again.\n\nINSERT – Company Slack\n\n    RAJ – DEV OFFSHORE:\n    \"We tried from our side. Hard delete query runs,\n    says 'ok', but the records are still there.\n    Like they don't exist and exist at same time.\"\n\nBack to scene:\n\nBarry clicks into a remaining entry.\n\nINSERT: Contact Detail\n\nBasic fields:\n\n    NAME: Samanatha Redding\n    EMAIL: —\n    PHONE: —\n    NOTES: (empty)\n\nA Slack notification pops on Barry’s screen.\n\nINSERT: – Barry’s Slack\n\n    RAJ – DEV OFFSHORE:\n    \"Also, the new 'Lead Recommendations' job AI model\n    ran against these records before we saw this.\n    Might have propagated them to clients. Sorry.\"\n\nBack to scene:\n\nBARRY\n(under his breath)\nShit.\n\nMIA\nWhat does the lead recommendation AI do?\n\nBARRY\nIt means...\n\nHe stares at the screen, voice hollow.\n\nBARRY (CONT'D)\nIt means our customers might be\nseeing her as a hot lead.\n\nINT. SCAFFLOW OFFICE – ONE DAY LATER – DAY\n\nA little more chaotic now. The SUPPORT EMAIL INBOX on Mia’s screen is a mess. \n\nBarry is making an espresso and burns himself.\n\nBARRY\n(whipping his hand and breaking the cup)\nFuck!\n\nMia is seen typing typing in the company chat.\n\nON SCREEN: emails scroll.\n\n    SUBJECT: \"Random person in our account?\"\n    \"Who is Samantha Redding and why is she assigned\n    to half our jobs?\"\n\n    \"You guys push a lead named 'Samantha' to us?\n    Is this some kind of marketing thing?\"\n\nMIA\n(Shouting to Barry as she picks up the phone)\nSamantha-bug causing more problems!\n\nMia picks up the phone.\n\nCLIENT (V.O.)\nWe’re seeing this Samantha person as “HOT LEAD” with no info. Is that like, a demo thing?\n\nMIA\nNo, that... that’s a mistake. We’re working on a fix.\n\nON Barry’S SCREEN – another Slack ping from a client. \n\nOn the screen: CLIENT – IRONSTATE: \"One of my guys tried calling this Samantha contact.\n\nBarry types back, fingers stiff.\n\nBARRY (V.O.)\nPlease do not call that contact. It’s a data issue. We’re investigating.\n\nHe hits send.\n\nMia is on a call with OFFSCREEN VOICE, a CUSTOMER.\n\nMIA\nYes, it’s a bug. No, you weren’t hacked. Please just ignore any contacts with that name for now.\n\nShe hangs up, sighs.\n\nAnother Slack notification pops on Barry’s screen, this one in a **CUSTOMER SUCCESS** channel.\n\nINSERT: Slack\n\n    FRANK – IRONSTATE SCAFFOLDING:\n    \"Hey Barry, need to talk. One of our reps\n    followed up on that 'Samantha Redding' your system\n    recommended. Got a family member. Then a cop.\"\n\n“Could we schedule a live call? Think Scafflow is getting us into some deep water and we do not have time for that.“\n\nBarry stares at it. His cursor hovers, unmoving.\n\nINT. SCAFFLOW OFFICE – EVENING\n\nMost of the office lights are off. Only the area around Barry and Mia’s desks is lit.\n\nOn Barry’s monitor: a VIDEO CALL WINDOW, already connected.\n\nFRANK, 50s, gruff, owner of IRONSTATE SCAFFOLDING, sits in his truck, phone angled up.\n\nBarry’s webcam shows him in his cluttered corner. Mia sits just out of frame, able to see his screen.\n\nBARRY\nHi Frank! I’m... sorry. We pushed out bad data. It’s likely due to the new A.I. features we’re trying out. We’ll comp your month, we’ll—\n\nFRANK (ON SCREEN)\nOne of my sales guys actually followed up on that contact, Barry. Did what your system told him to do. Called the number on there.\n\nA beat.\n\nFRANK (CONT’D)\nGot her aunt, from the sound of it. When he read off the contact name and coordinates of the address your thing had, she went real quiet. Then hung up.\n\nMia’s eyes flick from Frank to Barry.\n\nFRANK (ON SCREEN) (CONT’D)\nToday she shows up at our office. Hysterical. Husband with her. He tries to swing on my guy. She just keeps screaming, “What happened to my little girl.”\n\nBarry’s hand tightens on the edge of his desk.\n\nBARRY\nFrank, I...\n\nFRANK (ON SCREEN)\nIt’s been a weird day, Barry.\n\nFRANK (ON SCREEN) (CONT’D)\nDetectives came by after that. Asked where we got her info. I gave them your company name, your name, the address that’s in the software. So heads up, they’re probably heading your way.\n\nHe shrugs, but there’s guilt under the annoyance.\n\nFRANK (ON SCREEN) (CONT’D)\nLike I told ’em, we don’t have time to be dealing with crime cases over here. We hang off buildings for a living. That’s enough excitement.\n\nBarry is barely breathing.\n\nBARRY\nI get it. We’ll fix this. We’ll make it right, whatever you—\n\nFRANK (CONT’D)\nUnfortunately, we’re gonna have to cancel our Scafflow subscription. I need an export of all our data, clean, by end of week. You’ve been great to us through the years, Barry. I hope you understand. I’m sorry about this.\n\nMia watches, transfixed.\n\nBARRY\nI understand. I’ll have my team get you that ASAP.\n\nFrank gives a small nod and ends the call.\n\nBARRY\nMia, you should head home. It’s been a day.\n\nMIA\nDo.. do you know this Samantha person, Barry?\n\nBARRY\n(too fast)\nNo.\n\nMia studies him. She saw him during the Holy Ghost call. She saw him just now.\n\nMIA\nYou nodded.\n\nBeat. Barry won’t answer.\n\nMIA\nThis isn’t just “a bug”, is it.\n\nBARRY\n(Frustrated, panic)\nIt’s a bug that just cost us our biggest account and got the NYPD curious. That’s enough for one night.\n\nMIA\nIf detectives are coming here, I\ndon’t really want to be the intern\nwho “saw nothing”.\n\nMIA (CONT’D)\nI’m serious, Barry. I’m in your\nSlack, your calls. If there’s\nsomething I should know, I’d\nrather hear it from you.\n\nBarry is focused on the admin section. Deleting records.\n\nMis is discreetly doing research on the original lead: Jacob Hanley. We can see “Jacob Hanley HENLEY CONSTRUCTION” Googled on her screen. Not much concrete information is shown, including anything regarding the construction. A few results down is a GoFundMe for the family of Samantha. She clicks in. \n\n    Support for the Redding Family\n    Helping the Redding family in their time of loss. Funds will be used where needed.\n    Raised: $4,218 of $20,000\n    Creator: Jacob Hanley\n    Last update: “3 years ago.”\n    No updates.\n    No comments.\n    Only two donations.\n\nShare stares, confused. Shocked.\n\nShe then googles Jacob Hanley HANLEY construction, Owner\n\nNothing. No website. Nothing.\n\nBARRY\nGo home, Mia. Please. I’ll have this cleaned up by morning.\n\n\nShe holds his gaze a beat longer than is comfortable. Then:\n\nMIA\n(hesitating, looking intensely at Barry)\nOk. \n\n\nShe grabs her bag anyway. Starts to go, hesitates at the door.\n\n\nINT. SCAFFLOW OFFICE – AFTERNOON\n\nThe office is dark now. Only Barry’s monitor glows.\n\nOn screen: a search for “SAMANTHA REDDING.” Location coordinates: \n\n  “Open in Google Maps.”\n\nHe opens it. It’s clearly a pin drop in the middle of dense woods - no roads around. Barry is frozen.\n\nHe glances at the WHITEBOARD.\n    NEVER LOSE A NAME.\n    ALWAYS FOLLOW UP.\n\nHe turns off the computer.\n\nEXT. WOODED PULL-OFF – DUSK\n\nBarry is driving down a highway, sun is setting. Middle of nowhere, only woods. He pulls over and opens up slack on his phone.\n\nHe finds the “JACOB HENLEY – HENLEY CONSTRUCTION” contact.\n\n“Call”.\n\nBARRY\nHi Jacob. It’s Barry from Scafflow.\n\nJACOB\nI know, Barry. The Holy Ghost is is waiting to speak. May I?\n\nBARRY\nOk.\n\nSAMANTHA\nDad?\n\nBarry’s whole body jolts. He drops the phone onto the passenger\nseat.\n\nHe just sits there, shaking. We HEAR the voice faintly from\nthe seat.\n\nSAMANTHA (V.O.) (CONT’D)\nYou were a good dad. Please do not have pain because of me.\n\n\nBarry clamps his hands over his ears, but he can still hear her\nin his memory.\n\nA beat. Shallow breathing on the line. He picks up the phone again.\n\nHe drops the phone sobbing but eventually picks it back up.\n\nBARRY\n(wimpering)\nSam, are you there?\n\nJACOB\nIt’s Jacob, Barry. He left.\n\nBARRY\nIt was her...\n\nJACOB\nExcuse me, Barry?\n\nBARRY\n(Sighs)\nThank you.\n\nBarry hangs up. Defeated.\n\nHe gets out of the car, wind whipping. A cold hard night.\n\nBarry goes to the Voice Memo app on his phone:\n\nBARRY\nMy name is Barry Sperry.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nI am Samantha Redding’s father.\n\nHe closes his eyes.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nShe used her mother’s last name after the divorce.\nI told myself that was healthy.\nI told myself a lot of things.\n\nThe night air hums around him.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nThe night she got into my truck, she told me she didn’t want to go home.\nShe told me she’d taken pills.\nShe asked me not to make a big deal out of it.\nI wasn’t the best father, but I kept my promise.\n\nHis voice tightens.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nI didn’t stop the truck.\nI didn’t call anyone.\nI told myself I could handle it.\n\nA beat.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nShe got quiet.\nI panicked.\n\nHe grips the phone harder.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nI didn’t check her pulse right away.\nI didn’t call 911.\nI kept my promise.\nI thought about what people would think of me.\nShe passed. \nShe wanted out of this world.\n\nHis voice cracks—not loudly. Honestly.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nHer coordinates are attached to this memo.\n\nA long pause.\n\nBARRY (CONT’D)\nI was protecting myself.\nI was keeping a promise.","title_page":{"title":"Cold Call","author":"Pete","draft_date":"March, 2026","revision":"DRAFT","notes":"Based on a true story"},"revision":0,"page_count":0,"created_at":"0001-01-01T00:00:00Z","updated_at":"0001-01-01T00:00:00Z"}