Transcript

GRACE

So how is this going to work then? This layout isn’t quite what we discussed before…

MICHELLE

Yes, it is a bit different than we’re used to. There aren’t any individual offices on this floor, for example, just one meeting room there, at the end of the room by the kitchen area.

MARK

[exasperated]

So, where are we all supposed to go? I mean, I’ve said this before, it is no good expecting our department to put up with an open plan working space. I mean, what is that? [pointing at the plan]

MICHELLE

That is a six-person work station. That is a four-person work station. There are several ways it can be configured.

MARK

[interrupting]

Hang on, hang on. The only desk space is going to be in these carousel-type tables? Yes? Where are our bookshelves going to be? And our filing cabinets?

GRACE

[pointing]

There are the bookshelves and there are the filing areas, although most people back their work up online now so there shouldn’t be much paper filing.

MARK

For goodness sake, I have said so many times how unworkable this all is, and now it’s here right in black and white! Can no one else see the problems that we’re going to have?

MICHELLE

We have talked this through at the last three meetings, and we all know how unhappy you are Mark at the arrangements, but so many people work flexi hours now, it’s just not cost effective to have small offices.

MARK

Oh, it’s always about costs, isn’t it? What about the work? I mean, are we happy to let the work suffer for the sake of a few ‘costs’?

LISA

Mark, can I just say it seems that old ground is being covered here.

MARK

Look, yes, I know that I’ve raised this many times before but there is a very good reason for that.

LISA

I’m just concerned that we’re moving away from the agenda and we’ve only got a short amount of time for the meeting today.

MARK

Look, I’m sorry Lisa but this is important.

LISA

Short of the entire group agreeing with you, Mark, what would help you move past this?

MARK

I just want it noted that I don’t agree. That’s all.

LISA

OK, well, then perhaps we can all agree that your objections to the plans are noted and move on? Do you have any strong feelings about the timing of the move? Because Louise has said that she thinks that mid-July is better and suits her team’s requirements more than August. How does that work for you?

MARK

Erm, well, I mean, August has always been tricky for us. I’ll need to look at the team diary but mid-July looks, on the face of it, to be the far better option.

LISA

OK.

FADEOUT