Comedy Script

Written by: [Your Name]

Title: The Misadventures of Barry and Sue

Characters:

Barry Thompson: A well-meaning but bumbling office worker in his late 30s.
Sue Miller: Barry's sharp-witted and pragmatic best friend and roommate.
Mr. Jenkins: The grumpy, no-nonsense office manager.
Linda: The quirky receptionist with a penchant for mismatched outfits.
Dave: Barry’s overconfident, yet underqualified coworker.

Scene 1: The Office - Morning

Action Line:

Barry Thompson enters the office, looking disheveled with a coffee stain on his shirt. He stumbles through the door and immediately trips over a pile of papers left in the hallway.

Dialogue:

Barry: (muttering to himself) "Perfect start to the day. Just perfect."

Linda: (from behind her desk, brightly) "Good morning, Barry! You look like you’ve had a rough start."

Barry: (attempting to brush off the coffee stain) "Good morning, Linda. Yeah, just another day in paradise."

Sue: (walking in, holding a coffee cup) "Hey Barry, did you remember the presentation today?"

Barry: (eyes wide) "The presentation! Oh no, I forgot!"

Parentheticals:

Barry: (panicking) "What do I do? I haven’t even prepared anything!"

Sue: (rolling her eyes) "Relax, Barry. I’ll help you. We’ll just wing it."

Transitions:

CUT TO:

Scene 2: Conference Room - Later That Day

Action Line:

The conference room is filled with employees seated around a long table. Barry is at the front, nervously clicking through a PowerPoint presentation that is clearly not his own work. Sue is seated at the back, trying to suppress her laughter.

Dialogue:

Mr. Jenkins: (looking sternly) "Barry, we’re all eager to hear about your project updates."

Barry: (sweating) "Yes, absolutely. So, as you can see from this… um… slide…"

Dave: (whispering loudly to Sue) "Does he even know what he’s talking about?"

Sue: (whispering back) "I think he’s just making it up as he goes."

Parentheticals:

Barry: (desperately trying to remember) "And then, uh, the market… trends… lead to… um… growth…"

Mr. Jenkins: (narrowing eyes) "Barry, are you sure you’re prepared for this?"

Barry: (fumbling) "Of course! Totally prepared. I mean, who needs preparation when you have… spontaneity?"

Transitions:

FADE OUT:

Scene 3: Barry and Sue’s Apartment - Evening

Action Line:

Barry and Sue are sitting on the couch, eating takeout. Barry looks defeated while Sue is trying to cheer him up with a cheesy motivational speech.

Dialogue:

Sue: (cheerfully) "Well, at least it’s over. And hey, you didn’t get fired!"

Barry: (sighing) "True. But I did get a ‘talk’ from Mr. Jenkins. Not exactly the high point of my career."

Sue: (smiling) "Look on the bright side, Barry. Now you’ve got a great story for the next office party."

Barry: (cracking a smile) "Yeah, I suppose. Maybe next time, I’ll actually prepare."

Parentheticals:

Sue: (jokingly) "Or you could just keep winging it. It’s been working so far!"

Barry: (laughing) "Very funny, Sue. Next time, I’ll aim for something less catastrophic."

Transitions:

FADE OUT:

Notes:

Character Development:
- Barry Thompson should come across as endearing and slightly hapless. His comedic value lies in his earnestness despite his frequent blunders.
- Sue Miller is Barry’s foil—her practicality and sharp wit balance Barry’s more chaotic nature. She often serves as the voice of reason with a humorous edge.
- Mr. Jenkins represents the stern authority figure, whose reactions to Barry’s antics add to the comedy.
- Linda should be portrayed with a quirky charm, contributing to the office's offbeat atmosphere.
- Dave is a secondary character who provides additional humor through his overconfidence and lack of real competence.
Scene Setting:
- The office should have a slightly cluttered, chaotic feel to reflect Barry’s disorganization and the humorous, low-stakes nature of the setting.
- The conference room should contrast with a more formal, stark setting to heighten the comedic tension as Barry tries to present his mismatched slides.
- The apartment should be cozy and relaxed, showcasing the contrast between Barry’s workday chaos and his home life.
Dialogue Tips:
- Ensure Barry’s dialogue reflects his nervousness and tendency to speak in a disjointed manner under pressure.
- Sue’s lines should be delivered with a blend of sympathy and playful sarcasm.
- Mr. Jenkins should speak in a monotone, businesslike manner to emphasize his frustration with Barry’s lack of preparation.
Acting Notes:
- Actors should use exaggerated facial expressions and physical comedy to enhance the humor, especially in Barry’s clumsy moments and Sue’s reactions.
- Linda’s bright and mismatched outfits can add a visual layer of comedy, while her cheerful demeanor contrasts with the office’s stress.
Technical Considerations:
- Transitions like FADE OUT or CUT TO should be used to smoothly shift between scenes, maintaining the comedic rhythm and pacing.
- Parentheticals should be used sparingly to guide actors on how to deliver lines and add nuance to their performances.