Here’s my take on the “Reporters” edition of Sketchwar.
INT. OFFICE – DAY
An EDITOR (50s) -- suspenders, cigar, sun-visor hat -- sits at his desk.
A REPORTER (30) sits opposite him.
A sign with a large “AMERICA DAILY” logo the wall beside the door.
EDITOR
You want a health-care article? On page one? Of my newspaper?
REPORTER
The CBO put out another report, and --
The editor produces a sheaf of paper and dumps it on the desk.
EDITOR
And you summarized in three thousand goddamn words!
REPORTER
It’s complicated.
EDITOR
Where’s the human interest?
REPORTER
It’s explaining about how a single-payer system --
EDITOR
Who the hell knows what “single-payer” means?
REPORTER
The definition is really simple --
EDITOR
We’re not including another page-one ‘glossary insert’. Not on my watch, kid.
REPORTER
This is the biggest news story going, and we have to get it across to people!
The editor tosses the sheaf of papers at the reporter.
EDITOR
Three hundred words, at an eighth-grade reading level, or never darken my door again!
REPORTER #2 (30) opens the door and he peeks inside.
REPORTER #2
Boss, check this out!
He holds up an infographic: a bar chart with a different smiling puppy face at the top of each bar.
The edtior eyes it. Creepy smile.
EDITOR
An infographic!
REPORTER #2
It’s a poll showing eight different breeds of puppies! and what percent of America thinks they’re cute!
EDITOR
That’s filling the spot on page one.
REPORTER
But sir --
EDITOR
Out! Both of you! Get out!
The reporters start to exit.
EDITOR
You! Leave the puppy chart.
He does so.
They exit.
The editor picks up the chart.
EDITOR
(to the chart)
Oh, yes, come here, you saucy little minx...
FADE OUT.