Overtime

Genre: Dark Comedy

Overtime, developed in Spring 2024, is a 25 minute two-hander exploring the stress of office life and the challenges faced by young professionals in the current economic climate.

Eddy Taylor was inspired by his own anxieties as a student soon to enter the workforce and the difficulties faced by his peers who often find themselves trapped in dead end jobs post graduation with little to no upwards mobility despite the economic opportunities promised by their degrees.

The play occurs in real time and follows Luke, a young office worker, as he is tormented by Marc, his floor manager, during a late night at work where their whole worlds will come crashing down around them.

Preview

Marc: What you got in here then?

Luke: Give it /back

Marc: /Shant.

Luke: Give it!

Luke jumps out of his chair. Marc runs to the other side of the office. Luke gives chase and the two circle the office as Marc continues to taunt Luke.

Marc: Oh who’s this your grandma? (He pulls out a photo)

Luke: That’s my fiancés you dick.

Marc: (Stopping) Your what?

Luke tackles him, they crash into the desk closest to the clock.

A laptop falls to the floor narrowly missing Marcs head.

Marc: Jesus!

Luke retrieves his wallet.

Marc holds onto the photo.

Luke: Give it here.

Marc: You nearly broke my /neck.

Luke: /Marc. /Now.

Marc: /You little-

Luke: -The photo.

Marc: What you do that for?

Luke: Just shut it.

Beat

Marc: Let me. God. Let me get up.

Luke: Photo.

Marc: Hang on.

Marc begins to stand up slowly.

Luke: Photo. Photo. Now.

Marc: Okay! (He hands Luke the photo) She’s pretty alright.

Luke: Yea she is.

Marc: Nice eyes.

Luke: Hmm. (Luke holds the photo in one hand. Stares at it. He caresses it gently with his free hand)

Marc: Your age?

Luke: Yea.

Marc: Help me with this.

Luke: You deal with it. (He goes back to his desk)