INT. LAW OFFICE – DAY
A tense silence hangs in the air.
Sunlight cuts through the blinds, casting sharp shadows across a cluttered desk stacked with legal files. The room feels heavy — suffocating.
GREG, mid-30s, dressed in a crisp white shirt now slightly wrinkled, stands near the desk, gripping a thick case file labeled BETHANY. His face is focused, but there’s a flicker of exhaustion in his eyes.
Behind the desk stands MR. NEWBURGER, late 60s, stern and authoritative. His expression is tight with anger, jaw clenched.
A beat of silence.
Then—
MR. NEWBURGER
(voice cold, controlled)
What exactly do you think you’re doing, Greg?
Greg exhales slowly, trying to remain calm.
GREG
(firm, steady)
I’m doing my job. This case— it matters.
Mr. NewBurger SLAMS his hand onto the desk.
MR. NEWBURGER
(raising his voice)
That case is destroying this firm!
Greg flinches slightly but doesn’t step back.
GREG
It’s the truth. And the truth is worth fighting for.
Mr. NewBurger circles around the desk, his presence looming, intimidating.
MR. NEWBURGER
(furious)
The truth doesn’t pay the bills! The truth doesn’t protect our reputation!
He steps closer — too close.
MR. NEWBURGER
(lower, threatening)
You’ve crossed a line.
Greg tightens his grip on the file.
GREG
If standing up for someone is crossing a line… then maybe this firm lost its way a long time ago.
A sharp silence.
Mr. NewBurger’s eyes burn with rage.
MR. NEWBURGER
That’s enough.
Suddenly—
He forcefully SHOVES Greg backward.
The file slips slightly from Greg’s grip, papers shifting.
GREG
(stunned)
Sir—?
Before Greg can react, Mr. NewBurger KICKS him toward the door.
Greg stumbles, barely catching himself, shock written all over his face.
MR. NEWBURGER
(shouting)
Get out!
Greg steadies himself, breathing heavy, trying to process what just happened.
GREG
(confused, hurt)
You’re throwing me out… for doing what’s right?
Mr. NewBurger points aggressively toward the door.
MR. NEWBURGER
Don’t twist this! You did this to yourself!
He steps forward again, forcing Greg back another step.
MR. NEWBURGER
(enraged)
And don’t you dare come back here—
He pauses, glaring straight into Greg’s eyes.
MR. NEWBURGER
—until that Bethany case is finished.
Greg blinks, disbelief washing over him.
GREG
You want me to finish it… or bury it?
Mr. NewBurger scoffs.
MR. NEWBURGER
(scoffing)
It would be better for everyone if you just dropped it.
The words hang in the air like a threat.
Greg’s expression slowly hardens. The shock fades, replaced by quiet determination.
GREG
(quiet, resolute)
I’m not dropping it.
Mr. NewBurger’s face darkens further.
MR. NEWBURGER
Then don’t bother coming back.
A long pause.
Greg looks down at the file in his hands — the weight of it suddenly heavier than before.
He looks back up.
GREG
(soft but firm)
If that’s the cost… then so be it.
Mr. NewBurger says nothing. His silence is cold, final.
Greg nods once — not in agreement, but in acceptance.
He turns toward the door.
As he reaches it—
MR. NEWBURGER
(cutting, final blow)
You’re making a mistake you won’t recover from.
Greg stops for a moment, hand on the doorknob.
Without turning back—
GREG
Maybe.
A beat.
GREG
But at least it’ll be my mistake.
He opens the door.
Bright hallway light floods in, contrasting the dark tension of the office.
Greg steps out.
The door SLAMS shut behind him.
INT. OFFICE HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
Greg stands still for a moment, breathing heavily.
Employees nearby pretend not to watch, but their eyes linger.
Greg looks down at the case file again.
His grip tightens.
The fear is still there — but so is something stronger.
Resolve.
He straightens his posture.
Then walks forward.
Not defeated.
Not broken.
Determined.
FADE OUT.