In the 90s, I wrote a screenplay about two salesmen who impulsively murder their boss. In 2025, I’m a salesman with nothing but love in my heart. What Happened?
The script was never produced, but it got me a manager in LA and two commissioned works that did get made: Assault on Dome 4 starring Bruce
Campbell as the psychotic leader of a prison break in space; and The Base starring Mark Dacascos (Warrior, John Wick) as the last honorable soldier on a military outpost run amok.
I’m reflecting on the Killer Salesmen script, because back then, I thought being a computer salesman was about the worst job in the universe. When I wrote it, I actually was a computer salesman, working 6 days a week in midtown Manhattan, wearing the same “uniform” every day – a blue denim shirt and blue jeans – not because my employer demanded it, but because I felt like a drone. I was “a body behind the counter,” taking abuse from management and customers alike, though being in NYC there were certainly bright spots (some of which I discuss in my book).
The highlight of my day was lunch, when I would walk outside and down the block to get a garlic bagel with butter and a diet coke, to be consumed in the break room within the 30 minutes allotted and for which we were docked 30 minutes pay.
KILLER SALESMEN HIT THE ROAD By Hersh Rephun © Registered WGA East
Tired of the ceaseless abuse he and his colleagues are subjected to in their office, hot-headed software salesman Jerry Spinnaker faces off with his boss, Rupert Klimm.
JERRY: (under his breath) Fuckin’ asswipe.
KLIM: I beg your pardon?
JERRY: (eyeballing Klimm) I wasn’t talking to you.
KLIMM’s eyes narrow. He approaches Jerry’s cubicle.
KLIMM: If you have a problem, Mr. Spinnaker, let’s discuss it like gentlemen, shall we?
JERRY: Alright. For starters, I’d like to know why we’re docked a half hour’s pay for lunch whether we take that lunch break or not.
KLIMM: (beat, taken aback) The problem I was referring to is with your attitude.
By the time I wrote Killer Salesmen, I’d done telemarketing, retail sales, artist representation, and some PR (mostly cold-calling bookers to get unknown authors on TV and radio). The most fundamental shift came when I finally recognized that the whole thing is more of a marriage than a one-night stand; when you build rapport and trust, sales is a whole different ball of wax.
Upon reflection, Killer Salesmen was much more about truth, trust, and justice than sales. And I can certainly draw a straight line from this dark, offbeat redemption quest comedy to Selling the Truth with humor and humanity. The protagonist, Jerry, had more of an issue with authority than I do, but his actions are definitely driven by conviction.
JERRY: Well, maybe I wouldn’t have an attitude “problem” if you treated your employees like people instead of shitting on them and robbing us blind.
KLIMM gets right in Jerry’s face, his stubby forefinger less than an inch from Jerry’s nose.
KLIMM: (defensive, mean) How dare you accuse me of stealing! And as for the working conditions, it was made very clear when I hired you that you were expected to work hard!
This exercise also reminds me why I do such a deep dive with clients: you are the product of your influences, experiences, victories, and errors. And ultimately, what these pieces reveal about you makes the difference between sounding like everyone else and stepping into your singular resonant voice.
JERRY: I do work hard. I just find it difficult to respect you – or trust you – when –
KLIMM: Your difficulties are you own, Mr. Spinnaker. So keep them to yourself or hit the street.
JERRY: Get…your…FUCKING finger out of my face.
KLIMM cocks his head ever so slightly, attempting to gauge the threat level. There isn’t time, as JERRY grips KLIMM’s extended finger and SNAPS it upward, breaking the digit with an audible CRACK.
In the final analysis, we learn as much from our trials and tribulations as we do purging those stories from our unconscious selves, and from the earned perspective that comes with time.
What becomes of Jerry and his quest for redemption? In many ways, he grows up, finds himself, and works through his issues. Ever the salesman, he goes on to sell the truth in a much less contentious setting.
The full screenplay is boxed away, but you certainly can get your copy of Selling the Truth: A ‘Semoir’ with Insights for Life and Business.
- Feel free to book a Personal Brand Chat – let’s build out your voice and build up your confidence as the Thought Leader you are!
- As always, learn more about me and my biz at https://yesbrandbuilders.com/.
