AMELIA’S APPRAISALS EPISODE 4: INCENTIVISED COOPERATION 

 

 

PIP 

Hello dear Amelia listeners, our London live shows are coming up very soon, we’ve posted some behind the scenes videos about our preparations for the events on Patreon, you can watch those for free, and if you become a paying supporter for any amount, you can watch the video livestream on 4th, 5th, 6th August 2026.  

 

Or even better, join us in person! In addition to the Amelia show, we’re also screening our first film project for which you can get separate tickets, and doing an onstage Q&A titled When Fiction Talks back. Tickets for all that on our website, or at Theatreship.co.uk.  

 

This episode is dedicated to Tasha Walsh, whose life was cut short by a catastrophic cow-milking incident. She has since returned as a rock star whose management insists she tour only countries beginning with a vowel and consisting of no more than two letters. The schedule is refreshingly light. 

 

Enjoy the episode.  

 

Amelia’s Appraisals - created by Pip and Øystein, with music by Fredrik Baden and Sound design by Paul Kraner. Brought to you by HR Agent.  

 
Episode 4: Incentivised Cooperation 

 

 

THE HALLWAY - HR AGENT AND ALVINA 

 

(THE HR AGENT HAS JUST LEFT JOEY AND SALVATORE'S WORKSHOP AND STANDS IN THE HALLWAY, STUNNED AND SOMEWHAT SHAKEN) 

 

(ALVINA ENTERS) 

 

ALVINA 

Oh, hello.  

HR AGENT 

Hello.  

ALVINA 

Are you feeling alright? You look... pale. 

HR AGENT 

I'm... I'll be fine. It's just... well, it's just that I'm not used to being threatened.  

ALVINA 

Threatened? Oh. Let me guess. Joey and Salvatore... 

HR AGENT 

Yes.  

ALVINA 

Sorry about them. 

HR AGENT 

I couldn't quite determine what they, er, do exactly?  

ALVINA 

They're... How shall I put it... They're like our guard dogs.  

HR AGENT 

Guard dogs?  

ALVINA 

But once you get to know them, they're more like lap dogs really.  

HR AGENT 

(Unconvinced) Hm.  

ALVINA 

Hi, I'm Alvina, by the way.  

HR AGENT 

Alvina, nice to meet you.  

 

(THEY SHAKE HANDS) 

 

HR AGENT 

And your position is...? 

ALVINA 

My official title is Client Outreach Officer. But in reality I'm part therapist, part chaos wrangler, part... "incentives coordinator." 

HR AGENT 

Yes, it seems everyone wears many hats in this company.  

ALVINA 

Hats, wigs, moustaches... sometimes all at once! 

HR AGENT 

What do you mean by "incentives coordinator?" 

ALVINA 

Basically, I handle situations where a polite smile isn't quite... persuasive enough. 

HR AGENT 

I don't follow. 

ALVINA 

Sometimes all it takes is a strongly worded email, sometimes an envelope of cash, and sometimes... sometimes you have to get really creative. Like training a raven to deliver a very pointed message at exactly 3 a.m. 

HR AGENT 

Are you talking about... Bribery? Intimidation?  

ALVINA 

I prefer to call it incentivized cooperation. But I also have friendlier tasks. Like welcoming new clients. How do you take your tea? Or do you prefer cocoa?  

HR AGENT 

Er... 

ALVINA 

Now, since you're a walk-in, I'm going to have to ask you to complete a little survey.  

HR AGENT 

A walk-in?  

ALVINA 

Well, you didn't call us in advance, did you? Oh my gosh - you're not Helen Harcourt? I haven't prepared the premises!  

HR AGENT 

Eh - no, I'm not Helen Harcourt. 

ALVINA 

Oh good. And you didn't call us in advance? Otherwise I would have started compiling your case file over the phone. You see, he's very particular and only takes on the most unusual cases.  

HR AGENT 

Who? 

ALVINA 

There's no need to know his name.  

HR AGENT 

I'd really like to know who I'm doing business with.  

ALVINA 

Now just sit down and fill in one of these while I get your tea.  

ALVINA shoves a survey at the HR AGENT.  

ALVINA 

You still haven't told me how you take it.  

HR AGENT 

A spot of milk and two Canderel if you've got any. What... er... what is this?  

ALVINA 

The survey.  

HR AGENT 

What does "Current full name" and "Future full name (if known)" mean?  

ALVINA 

Don't worry if you've not given any thought to your future name yet. When you reach the second stage, if you reach the second stage, there will be an interview in which... he, can provide you with some suggestions. 

HR AGENT 

What about "date of departure"?   

ALVINA 

Again, it's fine if you haven't made up your mind. In fact, the more flexibility we have at this point, the better.  

HR AGENT 

reading 

"Preferred method of departure, please tick: Dramatic, low key, accidental, undecided." 

ALVINA 

Well, presumably you have some idea of how you'd like to go?  

HR AGENT 

I thought this was a funeral home.  

ALVINA 

A what?  

HR AGENT 

But you're also a travel agency?  

ALVINA 

Um... 

HR AGENT 

What is this company?  

ALVINA 

(THINKING ON HER FEET) It's both! 

HR AGENT 

What? 

ALVINA 

A funeral parlour and travel agency, rolled into one!  

beat 

And we also deal with Debt Recovery.  

HR AGENT 

Debt recovery?  

ALVINA 

Hence the, er, incentivised cooperation.  

HR AGENT 

I see. How novel.  

ALVINA 

Isn't it?  

HR AGENT 

I'd really love to hear about how these different sides of the business work together... 

ALVINA 

Right... right... So you must be... the representative from... 

HR AGENT 

HR Agent Yes.  

ALVINA 

Right. Amelia said you were coming... Right. Yes. Hello. 

HR AGENT 

Hello. 

ALVINA 

Hello. 

 

(AWKWARD PAUSE) 

 

HR AGENT 

You have an office? 

ALVINA 

Office is a rather grand word for it. It's a converted utility cupboard, but... yes.  

HR AGENT 

Why don't you go make us a cup of tea, and then we can have a chat in your office. Does that sound good? 

(ALVINA'S OFFICE - HR AGENT AND ALVINA) 

 

(A SHORT WHILE LATER. THE HR AGENT IS SIPPING TEA) 

 

ALVINA 

Think of it as a full-service operation.  

HR AGENT 

Ok... 

ALVINA 

First, our funeral home arm handles all the traditional elements: obituaries, urns, floral arrangements. Some families opt for a dramatic farewell at sea, while others lean towards something more traditional: a classic, dignified service, black suits, solemn music, minimal fog machines. 

HR AGENT 

Fog machines?  

ALVINA 

Strictly optional. 

HR AGENT 

I see.  

ALVINA 

Then, our travel division takes over.  

HR AGENT 

Travel for the deceased?  

ALVINA 

For the bereaved.  

HR AGENT 

The bereaved?  

ALVINA 

Yes. We specialise in post bereavement travel.  

HR AGENT 

People want to go on holiday right after they've buried a loved one?  

ALVINA 

Sometimes families need... space to reflect. And we offer packages that provide comfort and serenity. Spiritual cruises, extended sabbaticals, exotic grief retreats.  

HR AGENT 

And the debt recovery part? 

ALVINA 

Ah. Yes. That's just to make sure everyone's financial affairs are settled. It's all about synergy. Funeral services, travel solutions, financial closure. One smooth, elegant package.  

HR AGENT 

That's quite the business model.  

ALVINA 

Thank you. We like to think we're pioneers. 

HR AGENT 

And you only "take on the most unusual cases?" What does that mean?  

ALVINA 

Well, there are plenty of funeral homes that cater for normal deaths, aren't there? We're the company that takes on the unusual ones.  

HR AGENT 

Unusual how?  

ALVINA 

Oh you know, the complicated ones. 

HR AGENT 

Complicated how?  

ALVINA 

Clients who've been cursed, for example.  

HR AGENT 

Cursed? 

ALVINA 

We have to take precautions to make sure the coffin doesn't start levitating mid-service.  

HR AGENT 

What? 

ALVINA 

Some priests don't take kindly to the coffin spinning during the Lord's Prayer. 

HR AGENT 

Tries to say something, but is too confused 

ALVINA 

Then there are the biohazard cases.  

HR AGENT 

Biohazard... What?  

ALVINA 

You know, where the body's fine as long as no one breathes near it, or in some cases, looks at it for more than four seconds. We had one that caused spontaneous nosebleeds in the congregation and another that was so radioactive, the flowers started wilting during the eulogy. The priest wore a hazmat suit. 

HR AGENT 

Is this a joke?  

ALVINA 

Not everyone's lucky enough to pass away peacefully in their sleep! We had one client who fell into an industrial jam mixer. Open-casket wasn't an option, obviously. We considered a coffin shaped like a huge jam-jar. Another gentleman was found halfway up a church spire, still clutching a lightning rod. Then there was the woman who tripped into her own pottery kiln, very hard to get the glaze off. 

HR AGENT 

Good grief. 

ALVINA 

Exactly. Our job is to make sure the service is dignified, regardless of how many bits need reattaching, dissolving, or discreetly mopping up. We pride ourselves on meeting every client's unique needs, however flammable, contagious, or metaphysically unstable they might be. 

HR AGENT 

Impressive.  

ALVINA 

Thank you. 

HR AGENT 

Although... 

ALVINA 

Yes?  

HR AGENT 

I still don't understand... Why the new name?  

ALVINA 

New name?  

HR AGENT 

On the questionnaire. It said: "Current full name" and "Future full name." 

ALVINA 

Oh! That!  

HR AGENT 

Yes. That.  

 

(Pause) 

  

ALVINA 

Well that's for clients who aren't technically dead yet, but... would very much like to get ahead on the paperwork.  

HR AGENT 

The... er... explain.   

ALVINA 

We call them "pre-emptive farewells." Clients get to attend their own funeral, take home a commemorative urn. They choose a new name to live out the rest of their days, assured in the knowledge that their departure has been taken care of. It's peace of mind, really. They get to enjoy life knowing the admin of death is already behind them. 

HR AGENT 

Is that legal?   

ALVINA 

Legal? Oh yes. Well, legal enough. 

HR AGENT 

Are you sure? 

ALVINA 

Legal is such a fluid term, isn't it? We prefer to think of it as... administratively discreet. 

HR AGENT 

Right. A grey area.  

ALVINA 

Yes. But tasteful grey. Dove grey. Taupe.  

HR AGENT 

Well, it just so happens... 

ALVINA 

Yes? 

HR AGENT 

I have a job for you.  

ALVINA 

What?  

HR AGENT 

A "case" as you seem to call it.  

ALVINA 

But... I thought you were here to conduct appraisals?  

HR AGENT 

Oh, I am. But putting my HR Agent hat aside for a moment...  

 

(HER VOICE BECOMES A TAD UNSTABLE) 

 

ALVINA 

Are you alright?  

HR AGENT 

Sorry, do you have a tissue?  

ALVINA 

Er, yes, of course. Here you go.  

 

(ALVINA HANDS THE HR AGENT A PACKET OF TISSUES) 

 

HR AGENT 

Thank you.  

 

(THE HR AGENT DABS HER EYES) 

 

ALVINA 

I'm really sorry... Was it anything I said... or...? 

HR AGENT 

Oh no, no, not at all. It's just... Well, you see, my uncle, Uncle Stanley, he passed away. Just two days ago.  

ALVINA 

Oh dear. I'm so sorry for your loss.  

HR AGENT 

Sorry, this is so unprofessional. 

ALVINA 

Oh, please don't worry about that.  

HR AGENT 

It's really not like me... It's just, well, hearing about your services... I'd love to hire you for Uncle Stanley's funeral.  

ALVINA 

Right. Um. I see.  

HR AGENT 

So how does it work? Should I fill in that questionnaire?  

ALVINA 

I'm dreadfully sorry, but we're completely booked out this month.  

HR AGENT 

Really? 

ALVINA 

This year actually. Booked solid.  

HR AGENT 

But... didn't you just think I was a walk-in?  

ALVINA 

Er...? 

HR AGENT 

When you welcomed me and offered me a cup of tea? Yes, you thought I was a client.  

ALVINA 

Er, yes... 

HR AGENT 

You didn't send me away, you gave me a questionnaire. So you do have vacancies.  

ALVINA 

No.  

HR AGENT 

Then why didn't you send me away?  

ALVINA 

Because we're already taking bookings for next year.  

HR AGENT 

For next year?  

ALVINA 

It's always best to book at least twelve months in advance.  

HR AGENT 

Of dying?  

ALVINA 

Yes.  

HR AGENT 

But you don't know when... when your loved ones are going to die!  

ALVINA 

You can make an informed guess, can't you?  

HR AGENT 

What? 

ALVINA 

Given their age, health, diet, propensity for risk - 

HR AGENT 

You're telling me people book ahead, based on when they think their loved ones will die?  

ALVINA 

If the client isn't ready on time, we offer to postpone their funeral by six months at no extra cost.  

HR AGENT 

How thoughtful.  

ALVINA 

Generally other clients die early, so we can shift things around. It's a bit like playing Tetris, but with funerals.  

HR AGENT 

And you really can't squeeze in Uncle Stanley?  

ALVINA 

Sorry.  

HR AGENT 

It would really mean a lot to me.  

ALVINA 

Look, it's not up to me anyway.  

HR AGENT 

Who's it up to?  

ALVINA 

My colleague in the office next door.  

HR AGENT 

The one without a name?  

ALVINA 

He has a name.  

HR AGENT 

What is it?  

ALVINA 

I genuinely can't tell you.  

HR AGENT 

Why not. 

You don't know his name?  

ALVINA 

He's one of a kind. And as I told you, he only takes on the most unusual cases. So even if we had an opening, I'm not sure he'd accept your Uncle Stanley anyway -  

HR AGENT 

I haven't told you how Uncle Stanley died.  

ALVINA 

Well, unless he was a lion tamer whose beasts turned on him, or an archeologist who opened a cursed tomb - 

HR AGENT 

Uncle Stanley was a caretaker, or a janitor as they call them in the US. He lived in Ohio you see.  

ALVINA 

Not a promising start.  

HR AGENT 

Ohio?  

ALVINA 

No, I meant - 

HR AGENT 

Oh, you mean because he was a janitor?  

ALVINA 

No disrespect. I'm sure Uncle Stanley did a terrific job.  

HR AGENT 

Yes. Everyone at Parkside Infant & Junior School loved him.  

ALVINA 

I just don't think a primary school janitor -  

HR AGENT 

He died opening the Cleaning Supplies Cupboard. 

ALVINA 

Really? How did he manage that?  

HR AGENT 

Well the door was a bit stiff you see... 

ALVINA 

Not yet.  

HR AGENT 

He gave the handle a good yank, and the moment it swung open, a mountain of mops, buckets, and floor polish came crashing down.  

ALVINA 

Ah yes, we have one of those. The Avalanche Cupboard we call it. It's where we put unnecessary bits and bobs which belong in the bin really, but... well, my colleague next door is such a hoarder! Anyway, I've put a note on it "Open at Your Own Risk." Sorry, how rude of me, you were telling me about Uncle Stanley.  

HR AGENT 

Yes. A canister of disinfectant hit him square on the head, it spilled, and he slipped backwards. He... tried to steady himself by grabbing a mop handle, which flipped up and caught him under the chin, knocked him into the Recycling Awareness display. Which contained a sharp tower of aluminium cans glued together by Year 5! The headmistress found him in a pool of blood and disinfectant, covered in tins, juice cartons and yogurt pots.  

ALVINA 

That's a very graphic description.  

HR AGENT 

I have nightmares about it.  

ALVINA 

But how do you know all these details? Your Uncle Stanley is in Ohio you said... 

HR AGENT 

Oh, the kids commemorated it with a classroom art project. Big rainbow, smiling sun, and Mr Stanley, surrounded by airborne mops and a glittery halo. They made the disinfectant bottle into a friendly little character with eyes. Bright yellow disinfectant, big red... splat marks, lots of smiling faces. The teacher was kind enough to send me a photo.  

 

(PAUSE) 

 

ALVINA 

I don't believe you.  

HR AGENT 

Neither do I.  

ALVINA 

What?  

HR AGENT 

You're not a funeral home. You're not a travel agency. And you're not a debt collector.  

ALVINA 

So... All this talk of Uncle Stanley... you've been lying to me? 

HR AGENT 

Just like you. 

 

(ALVINA GROANS) 

 

Shall we start again? 

ALVINA 

(RESIGNED SIGH) I thought I did so well coming up with all of that.  

HR AGENT 

You did.  

ALVINA 

Sorry?  

HR AGENT 

You're good at thinking on your feet, at sticking to your story come what may. You've obviously done this before. Many, many times.  

ALVINA 

Are you calling me a serial liar?  

HR AGENT 

I'm not judging. But I get the impression... Well, I think you're very used to... going into damage control mode. Am I right?  

Pause.  

ALVINA 

You're not wrong.  

HR AGENT 

"Chaos wrangling" I think you called it earlier.  

ALVINA 

Did I?  

HR AGENT 

Whatever you do, it seems to be a very chaotic working environment.  

ALVINA 

(UNDER HER BREATH) You can say that again. 

HR AGENT 

How do you feel about that?   

ALVINA 

Well... I've come to accept it really. My colleagues thrive on a certain degree of chaos. I think for them chaos and creativity go hand in hand.  

HR AGENT 

But what about you?  

ALVINA 

Me?  

BEAT. 

Well, it's not about me, is it.  

HR AGENT 

It's all about you.  

ALVINA 

Oh, no, you've misunderstood.  

HR AGENT 

What do you mean? 

ALVINA 

I'm... I'm more of an assistant really. I'm relatively new here, and I honestly think sometimes I'm considered more of an annoyance than an asset -  

HR AGENT 

I meant this appraisal. This appraisal is all about you.  

ALVINA 

This is the appraisal?  

HR AGENT 

Of course. That's what I've been brought here for.  

ALVINA 

Right. Yes. It's just... You caught me off guard.  

HR AGENT 

You feel you're not being fully appreciated. Tell me more about that.  

ALVINA 

Did I say that? I'm sure I didn't - 

HR AGENT 

You said your colleagues consider you an annoyance rather than an asset.  

ALVINA 

Right, I was being unfair. I mean, if Amelia hadn't come to my silly island... If she hadn't given me this opportunity... I'd still be with the seagulls and - 

HR AGENT 

You don't have to justify yourself.   

ALVINA 

I mean... I don't want to talk badly about - 

HR AGENT 

You can be frank with me.  

ALVINA 

Thank you, I'm just not really used to - 

HR AGENT 

This is between you and me. 

Pause. 

ALVINA 

This is difficult.  

HR AGENT 

Oh. I see.  

ALVINA 

Excuse me?  

HR AGENT 

I see. 

ALVINA 

See what? 

HR AGENT 

(SOFTLY) I get it.  

ALVINA 

I... don't?  

HR AGENT 

(MOUTHS SOMETHING) 

ALVINA 

I can't hear you. Why are you mouthing at me? I... don't understand. 

HR AGENT 

(WHISPERS) Do you have a pen?  

ALVINA 

Er, yes, here.  

 

(ALVINA PASSES A PEN. THE HR AGENT SCRIBBLES SOMETHING ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND HOLDS IT UP) 

 

ALVINA 

Oh, no no no, you've got the wrong end of the stick, this office isn't bugged! Well, I mean it is, but - 

HR AGENT 

Your office is bugged?  

ALVINA 

Well not just this office. It's not just me. Everything gets recorded, in every room, but - 

HR AGENT 

(URGENT WHISPER) 

That's why I wanted to communicate via writing!  

ALVINA 

That's not necessary, and anyway, there are cameras too, but - 

HR AGENT 

There are cameras?  

ALVINA 

It's not what it seems like.  

HR AGENT 

This is not a healthy working environment! 

ALVINA 

It's a particular working environment. But all workplaces have their own, er, company culture right?  

HR AGENT 

Sure, some companies give employees time to work on side projects, some have transparent salary bands and democratic decision-making, some use stack ranking systems or significant performance-based bonuses, some allow employees to nominate nonprofits for company support and some have learning days. Yes, I've encountered many company cultures, but withholding names and spying on employees does not equate with "company culture." Not in my book.  

ALVINA 

Some of that sounds really good... 

HR AGENT 

Excuse me?  

ALVINA 

Democratic decision making... Instead of him getting to choose clients willy nilly. And nominating nonprofits for company support... I have a thing for dogs you see, and the Dog's Trust could really use some help right now. Can you tell me more about transparent salary bands? 

HR AGENT 

(CHUCKLES) 

I think there's room for some positive changes here.  

ALVINA 

And performance-based bonuses would be nice... I mean, my salary is fine, but given that I don't really get any days off... 

HR AGENT 

You don't get days off?  

ALVINA 

Not really.  

HR AGENT 

None? 

ALVINA 

I mean, Amelia gave everyone the afternoon off after the boiler exploded, I told her not to let Salvatore tinker with it, but even that afternoon was mostly spent trying to come up with a convincing insurance claim... 

HR AGENT 

That's illegal!  

ALVINA 

Insurance fraud?  

HR AGENT 

That too, but no -  

ALVINA 

Oh, the time off? 

HR AGENT 

Employers are required by law - 

ALVINA 

Yes, but we operate outside the law.  

(PAUSE) 

ALVINA 

There. I said it.  

HR AGENT 

I already suspected.  

ALVINA 

Is that a problem? 

HR AGENT 

I... eh... I don't care what kind of company this is. I don't. It's too late for that anyway, I signed your NDA. And I realize the threats your strongmen posited were not in jest. So, well, I've been paid to do a job, and I'll see it through.  

BEAT. 

But not giving employees any time off is just not on! 

ALVINA 

I mean, to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't really know what to do with time off... 

HR AGENT 

You don't have hobbies?  

ALVINA 

Does paperwork count? 

HR AGENT 

No. What about friends?  

ALVINA 

Well, Amelia doesn't really approve of socialising outside of the company, so...  

HR AGENT 

Excuse me?  

ALVINA 

So we don't accidentally spill company secrets.   

HR AGENT 

This isn't a company, this is a cult!  

ALVINA 

Some of our clients belong to cults.  

HR AGENT 

Of course they do.  

ALVINA 

I'm aware this must all seem rather peculiar from the outside.  

HR AGENT 

It does, but how does it feel from the inside?  

ALVINA 

(GENUINELY THINKING ABOUT IT) How does it feel from the inside... 

HR AGENT 

I mean, are you happy?  

ALVINA 

I'm not unhappy.  

HR AGENT 

So that's a no.  

ALVINA 

I'm a lot happier than I was with the seagulls, that's for sure.  

HR AGENT 

But not happy.  

ALVINA 

Happy?  

HR AGENT 

Yes. It's a simple question.  

ALVINA 

Is it? I mean... what even is happiness really...?  

HR AGENT 

You want me to define happiness?  

ALVINA 

I suppose.  

HR AGENT 

Well... we know it when we feel it.  

ALVINA 

My colleague says we settle on a level of despair we can tolerate, and call that happiness.  

HR AGENT 

That's grim. 

ALVINA 

It's a line from a philosopher he pretends to like. Kierkegaard.  

HR AGENT 

Right, but we're not talking philosophy, we're talking HR. I'm talking about happiness in the context of your job.  

ALVINA 

Right.  

HR AGENT 

Can I ask a few questions?  

ALVINA 

Certainly.  

HR AGENT 

We'll make it a quickfire round, ready?  

ALVINA 

Ready.  

HR AGENT 

Would you say you feel positive, engaged, and fulfilled at work or stressed, anxious, and burned out?  

ALVINA 

(HESITATES) Can I say both? 

HR AGENT 

Do you feel comfortable sharing concerns or ideas with your team? 

ALVINA 

Yes.  

BEAT. 

Except when Amelia is in one of her overly caffeinated, high-drama, low-blood-sugar states.  

HR AGENT 

Do you enjoy the work and feel it's meaningful?  

ALVINA 

hesitates 

Yes.  

HR AGENT 

Are you able to disconnect from work outside of working hours? 

ALVINA 

No.  

HR AGENT 

Do you feel the company respects your time and boundaries? 

ALVINA 

No. 

HR AGENT 

Is there anything about working here that frustrates you? 

ALVINA 

Don't get me started.  

HR AGENT 

On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend this company to a friend looking for work? 

ALVINA 

As I said, I don't really have friends outside the company.  

HR AGENT 

But if you did.  

ALVINA 

This work isn't for everyone.  

HR AGENT 

If you could change just one thing here, what would it be? 

ALVINA 

Stop Kozlowski from storing human remains in the communal fridge. It's unhygienic!  

HR AGENT 

Er, right.  

(PAUSE.) 

ALVINA 

How did I do?  

HR AGENT 

You want my assessment?  

ALVINA 

Yes please.  

HR AGENT 

You're highly engaged but perpetually exhausted, comfortable sharing feedback except during your boss's bad moods, deeply committed to the work to the point of being unable to stop doing it, and you are simultaneously fulfilled and on the brink of collapse. You also have no social circle outside the company, no work-life boundary, and an unquantifiable level of professional despair. 

(BEAT, WITH A POLITE SMILE) 

So, broadly speaking, I'd classify your engagement level as robust, your wellbeing as precarious, and your loyalty as borderline concerning. 

An avalanche of a crash from the hallway.  

HR AGENT 

jumps 

What was that?  

ALVINA 

(SIGHS) He opened it.  

HR AGENT 

What?  

ALVINA 

The cupboard.  

HR AGENT 

The Avalanche Cupboard?  

ALVINA 

He always ignores my signs... 

 

(FROM THE HALLWAY, WE HEAR THE INTERVIEWER) 

 

INTERVIEWER 

(UNDER A PILE OF STUFF) 

Help! Help! I'm buried!  

ALVINA 

Oh lord.  

HR AGENT 

That's your colleague?  

ALVINA 

Yup.  

HR AGENT 

(SIGHS) Maybe it's time I talked to him... 

BEAT. 

But before I go, I'd like to give you something to think about. 

ALVINA 

Okay... 

HR AGENT 

You're working fourteen hour days - 

ALVINA 

Twenty. 

HR AGENT 

- seven days a week -  

ALVINA 

Eight. 

HR AGENT (CON’T) 

- and although I haven't really figured out what you do, it seems you're constantly surrounded by death. You work out of a utility cupboard and your only hobby is paperwork. Despite all this, you're not unhappy. You seem to be simultaneously thriving and deteriorating. Perhaps consider... pacing the deterioration. Engagement is commendable. Burnout less so. Try to find a sustainable midpoint, somewhere between devoted employee and cautionary tale. 

ALVINA 

Right. 

BEAT. 

Do you want me to respond, or...? 

HR AGENT 

Just food for thought.  

 

INTERVIEWER (FROM THE HALLWAY) 

(FROM UNDER A MOUNTAIN OF BITS AND BOBS) 

Someone dig me out! Pass me a rope! Help!  

HR AGENT 

I think he needs help. 

ALVINA 

Yes. 

INTERVIEWER (FROM THE HALLWAY) 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! 

HR AGENT 

Is he always like this? 

ALVINA 

Yup.  

HR AGENT 

Huh. Anything I should know before I talk to him?  

ALVINA 

Oh. Yes. Well. He's... Well. How should I put this? He's... Well, he's... He's a bit... I mean... a bit... His heart's in the right place, but... You know?  

HR AGENT 

In this company? I expect nothing less.  

 

THE HR AGENT LEAVES ALVINA'S OFFICE.  

 

END OF EPISODE.  

 

The Amelia Project is a production of Imploding Fictions. This episode featured: 

 

Julia C. Thorne as Alvina 

Jen Austen as the HR Agent 

And Alan Burgon as The Interviewer 

 

It was written and directed by Philip Thorne, with direction and dialogue editing by Øystein Ulsberg Brager.  

Sound design by Paul Kraner, music by Fredrik Baden, graphic design by Anders Pedersen and production assistance by Maty Parzival. This episode was recorded partially at Lovetraxx Studio in Ventschau, and engineered by Stefan Heil. 

 

The Executive Producer was Emelda Bates, who will mysteriously vanish from of a Caribbean cruise ship, and later disembark from a submarine in Bognor Regis with a completely new face.  

 

Amelia’s Appraisals would not have been possible without the generous support from HR Agent. They really are a wonderful bunch of people, and you can find them at hragent.com 

 

Speaking of wonderful people, where would we be without our Patreon supporters? Thank you to all of you who choose to support our work, it’s thanks to you we can create new stories.  

 

If you’re not yet a Patreon supporter, consider joining our community! You get early ad free access to all new episodes, you’ll be able to watch a livestream of our new London show in August, watch replays of previous shows, and more. You can become a monthly supporter, but right now we’re also offering a whopping 50 percent off annual memberships.  

 

And now it’s time to take a deep breath and give a shout out to our magnanimous supporters in the super patron tiers! At the time of recording that’s:  

 

Celeste Joos, Heat 312, Alban Ossant, Amélie and Alison, Stefanie Weittenhiller, Rafael Eduardo Wefers Verastegui, Alison Thro, Patricia Bohnwagner, Bryce Godmer, Cliff Huizenga, Michael West, Tim McMackin, Tibbi, Courtney Mays Rensen, Astra Kim, Olivea Dodson, Philip Hansen, Michael David Smith, LG, Ryan Burnett, Timotheus, Miss Nixie, Mystic Sybil, Tiffany Duffy, Jason Woods, Ryan O’Mara, Stefan Hartinger, Lucille Farrell, Anonymous, Iris, Jade Pickering, Daniella Nissen, Kelsey Paige, Silas X, Isabella Arzeno, Geethebluesky, Canal Cryptid, Ethan Cobb, Helden Inkheart, Atiyyah Makada, Maks Jaromin, DJ Goodall, Captaincache, Nitali Arora, Sunny D Anomaly, Merlock20, PostmasterGeneralKwanSentMe, Cheryl Downey-Eber, Nina Korzeniewski, Eli, Katherine Joiner, Selwyn Justice, jchooey, Andrew Lake and Ragnar Jensen.  

 

I need a glass of Veuve Cliquout to recover. See you all next time!