Interview
INT. SONDER HOTEL ROOM - BROOKLYN, NY - SUNDOWN - January 28th, 2025
INT. SONDER HOTEL ROOM - BROOKLYN, NY - SUNDOWN
The pink/blue sky rests outside the wide fourth story window in Gowanus, Brooklyn. New York City lovers may say this view of the gritty streets and construction lined sidewalk is “charming”. Others unfamiliar with the unique energy of the Brooklyn borough, would likely say nothing of the view at all.
Shane sits in the plain hotel room at the table that acts as office desk, coffee maker table, and bedside table all-in-one. Lit for virtual conversation, laptop open for virtual conversation, Shane participates in a virtual conversation.
On the laptop screen’s video window is LINDA (50’s, thick red rimmed glasses, bouncy brown hair) with her eyes aimed on her computer screen. She’s either reading Shane’s resume, or typing notes? Or both… Or neither.
LINDA: So what would you say is your superpower?
SHANE: That’s a good question… I think it’s my natural abilities with people. I am good at diffusing a situation. If conflict or stress is high, I have a strong sense of how to approach the situation, even in chaos, and help bring everyone back down to a more even-keeled temperament. So not only am I quick to think on my feet in most circumstances, but I can help bring everyone else back to a centered place of reason so that all can proceed with a clearer, less frantic mind, to accomplish a task or overcome a problem. Yeah.
Linda (presumably) types notes from Shane’s response in silence.
A beat.
LINDA: Okay great. So, how it works for me… I’d love to work with you as your recruiter and help find you the best position, the best fit. It sounds like you’re looking for something very specific, very unique.
She reads from her notes.
LINDA: Remote role, or with travel. You don’t want to work in a specific city or office. You don’t want corporate. You want a role with a breadth of responsibilities and scope, spanning industries or opportunities…
She looks up from her notes.
LINDA: You know, there is something we have at the moment that is unique. It’s a family office based out of Palm Beach, Florida - however, you could be completely remote. The principal is a really kind, really compensation type of boss and is very generous with compensation. However, they do want to be upfront - knowing it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea - that you’d be in close contact and working heavily with the Trump administration.
SHANE: (under his breath) Fuck no.
LINDA: I’m sorry?
SHANE: Oh, I just said “Probably, no”. No, I wouldn’t be able to do that.
LINDA: Understood, completely. Just had to share.
Linda takes off her glasses, now very clearly looking at Shane’s video image on her screen.
LINDA: What do you want long term? What are you hoping to get to in your career?
SHANE: I’m still knocking down that barrier. I know I’m close. I have so many interests and passions. I love meditation - to meditate myself, to help others find meditation. I love film and theater and storytelling. I care about philanthropy and helping the world become a better place, however I can. I love to inspire people and connect with people - whether that is a team at work, or just a one on one conversation with a person. I love to dig into the deeper questions of life and explore the reality of life. I love to hike and swim and generally just be in nature. I love to travel and eat new foods and learn about new cultures and meet people from different walks of life who have different worldviews than my own. I love to officiate weddings - I’ve done six now! I love to make sourdough bread and to cook. I love live music, dancing with groups of strangers all to the same beat. I love to run and do yoga. I love to read books about love and sex and history and adventure and self-help and fantasy. I love to write stories and scripts and plays. I currently am writing a weekly blogpost as a screenplay, about whatever is happening to me that particular week. And I like sharing whatever it is I am going through with others - because it helps me move forward and make sense of my life - and hopefully it helps others feel less alone, more inspired, and if nothing else, entertained for a little while. So, long term I just want to do that. All of that.
Linda looks at the screen for a moment. Both of them reflecting on the moment.
LINDA: There’s something out there for you. We’ll find it. Send me your resume so I can make notes and give you feedback. I’ll start thinking about people to connect you to and we can take it from there.
SHANE: Cool.