office

Michael (30) *is a team leader. Burned out, but keeping a straight face. Drinks instant coffee on principle.

• Max (25) *is a junior developer. Hyperactive, constantly dependent on energy drinks, and dreads deadlines.

• Carlos (45) *is a system administrator. Lives under the desk in the server room and communicates with the world through tickets.

• James (28) *is a project manager. Wears shirts with rolled-up sleeves and tries to "team-build" everyone.

• Simon (45) *is a driver of the company minibus. Comes to the office only for documents, but knows everything.

• Morning. Open space.
  The office is immersed in the thick morning fog of sleep deprivation. The only sounds are the clicking of keyboards and the occasional hum of the coffee machine.
  Michael stares blankly at the monitor. The code on the screen reads "TODO: Burn everything and move to the countryside" instead of comments.
  Max approaches the water cooler, sighing heavily. He tries to pour water into a glass, but the cooler makes a death rattle, gurgles, and dispenses only a measly drop.
  Max: Boss! The cooler is dead. My brain refuses to compile without a dry run. I'm about to start writing assembly code out of desperation.
  Michael (without turning around): Fifth water cooler this year. No budget for a new one. Yesterday, my bonus was cut because "the team atmosphere isn't innovative enough."
  Max: So let's innovate! We'll set up a cooler with craft kombucha and slime. What a way to unite!
  Michael: Max, go fill the toilet with tap water. Tell them it's "artesian water, enriched with iron."

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