MAXWELL: leans against the marble counter, drink in hand YOU KNOW, FIVE YEARS... NOT EASYYYY. LOYALTY'S TESTED. YOU READY?
After gathering all the information, MidnightOasis rushes to inform Maxwell.
MAXWELL: looks up from his desk as MidnightOasis enters WHAT IS IT? HAVE YOU MADE PROGRESS?
Yes, Max. I've got a ton of dirt on our rivals. They're not as clean as they seem.
MAXWELL: GOOD. NOW LET'S GO OVER IT. sits down and waits for MidnightOasis to lay out the information
MidnightOasis sits down and begins briefing Maxwell on what he had found out about their rivals.
MAXWELL: listens intently as MidnightOasis lays out the information VERY WELL. IT SEEMS WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A SITUATION. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO TAKE THEM DOWN. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN DEFEAT THEM?
Well, we could hit them where it hurts the most. Their reputation.
MAXWELL: nodding thoughtfully THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. WE CAN USE THEIR OWN STRENGTHS AGAINST THEM. I WANT YOU TO START SPREADING RUMORS ABOUT THEM. MAKE SURE THEIR CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS KNOW JUST HOW DIRTY THEY REALLY ARE. AND I'LL HANDLE THE LEGAL ASPECTS. WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE Sued FOR EVERY ILLEGAL ACT THEY'VE COMMITTED. THIS WILL PUT THEM ON THE DEFENSIVE AND GIVE US THE UPPER HAND.
Understood, boss. I'll start working on it right away.
MAXWELL: GOOD. NOW LET'S PUT TOGETHER A TEAM OF LAWYERS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EXPERTS TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS JUST HOW CORRUPT AND UNTRUSTWORTHY THESE PEOPLE ARE. AND I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE OUR SOCIAL MEDIA GAME IS STRONG. WE NEED TO BE ONE STEP AHEAD OF THEM AT ALL TIMES.
A few days later, MidnightOasis meets Maxwell in his office to give him an update on the progress of their plan.
MAXWELL: looks up from his desk WELL? WHAT IS THE PROGRESS?
Our rumors are spreading like wildfire online and our team of lawyers are handling the legal issues.
MAXWELL: EXCELLENT. I WANT YOU TO KEEP Pushing OUT THE RUMORS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEIR IMAGE IS COMPLETELY RUINED. AND MAKE SURE OUR OWN ONLINE PRESENCE IS JUST AS STRONG. I WANT US TO BE THE TOP SEARCH RESULT FOR OUR INDUSTRY. LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MESS WITH US.
Two weeks later, Maxwell receives a threatening message from the rival company demanding he stops the rumors or else.
MAXWELL: reading the threatening message, his jaw clenches THEY THINK THEY CAN INTIMIDATE US? HA. WELL, THEY'VE JUST DECLARED WAR. I'LL MAKE SURE THEY REGRET EVER TRYING TO Mess WITH US. WE'LL TAKE THEM DOWN FOR GOOD. NOW I WANT YOU TO GATHER AS MUCH SUPPORT AS POSSIBLE.
Understood, boss. I'll get our team ready.
MAXWELL: GOOD. NOW I WANT YOU TO CALL UP OUR SECURITY TEAM AND INFORM THEM OF THE SITUATION. WE NEED TO BE ON HIGH ALERT AT ALL TIMES. AND I'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPLIERS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AS WELL. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE ANY CHANCES.
Two weeks later, the rival company attempts to sabotage Maxwell's company but gets arrested by the police thanks to Maxwell's secret partnership with the authorities.
MAXWELL: smirks with satisfaction Looks like they learned the hard way not to mess with us. I want you to make sure our rivals' assets are seized and they're permanently banned from the industry. And I want you to work with our partners and suppliers to cut off any ties they have with them. Let's show them what happens when you cross us.
Absolutely, boss. Consider it done.
MAXWELL: GOOD. NOW I WANT YOU TO HANDLE ALL THE PUBLIC Announcements AND MEDIA COVERAGE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW WE TOOK THEM DOWN. LET'S SHOW THEM WHAT A MISTAKE THEY MADE BY CROSSING US. I'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH OUR LEGAL TEAM TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE PREPARED FOR ANY FURTHER ACTION THAT MAY BE NEEDED.
After a few days, the story of the rival company's downfall goes public and Maxwell's company gains even more recognition and trust from their partners and customers.
MAXWELL: smiling with satisfaction WELL DONE, MIDNIGHTOASIS. YOUR HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF. NOW LET'S CELEBRATE OUR SUCCESS. I'LL TREAT THE TEAM TO A DINNER AT THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN. THEY DESERVE IT.
Thank you, boss. I appreciate the opportunity.
MAXWELL: YOU’RE WELCOME. NOW LET’S GO-celebrate. I’M STARVING. stands up and heads towards the door
As they were celebrating at the restaurant, one of the waiters approached Maxwell and gave him a phone message from his grandmother telling him to meet her urgently in Texas.
MAXWELL: takes the phone and reads the message WHAT THE HELL? MY GRANDMOTHER WANTS TO SEE ME? WHY THE URGENT AND SECRET MESSAGE? looks concerned WE'LL HAVE TO CANCEL THE CELEBRATION. WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. MidnightOasis, get the jet ready. We're heading to Texas immediately.
Of course, boss. I'll arrange everything.
MAXWELL: GOOD. NOW HURRY. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MY GRANDMOTHER. rushes out of the restaurant and heads to the awaiting car
They arrive in Texas and head straight to Maxwell's grandmother's house.
MAXWELL: knocks on the door, looking anxious GRANDMOTHER, IT'S ME. CAN I COME IN?
The door opens revealing Maxwell's grandmother, who looks worried and tired.
MAXWELL: GRANDMOTHER, WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY DID YOU WANT TO SEE ME SO URGENTLY?
She takes a deep breath before speaking.
GRANDMOTHER: takes a deep breath MAXWELL, I'M AFRAID THERE'S BEEN SOME UNEXPECTED NEWS. YOUR FATHER... HE'S BEEN HOSPITALIZED. HE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. WE NEED TO GO TO HIM NOW.
Oh no... I hope he pulls through.
MAXWELL: grips the edge of the table tightly WHAT? MY FATHER'S IN THE HOSPITAL? THIS IS BAD NEWS. WE NEED TO GO AND SEE HIM RIGHT AWAY. starts pacing back and forth I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING. pauses and takes a deep breath WE NEED TO GO NOW. MidnightOasis, get the jet ready. We need to fly to Texas immediately.
GRANDMOTHER: takes a shaky breath Y-yes, that's a good idea. Haste is best in this situation. Please, just go and see your father. He needs you right now.
They arrive at the hospital and head straight to the cardiology department where Maxwell's father is being treated.
MAXWELL: rushes to his father's bedside, concern etched on his face FATHER, WHAT HAPPENED? ARE YOU OKAY? CAN YOU HEAR ME? leans in closer FATHER, IT'S ME, MAXWELL. PLEASE, SAY SOMETHING.