*dialogue/underscore/misc.

Book and Lyrics by Nick Jester
Music by David von Kampen
Recorded at SadSon Music, Lincoln Nebraska

SYNOPSIS

Act One:
Brian wakes up to a barrage of angry telephone messages from his co-workers at the corporate office of American Smoothie, where he is the I.T. technician (THE INTERNET IS DOWN). He brushes off his oddball roommate Coal and rushes to work. Jerry, Brian’s boss, belittles Brian for being late, and gathers all the employees in his office to hear the commercial pitches he has composed (JERRY’S JINGLES), which receive polite and uncomfortable responses. Brian helps Brie, the company accountant, with her computer troubles. He considers his feeling for her, and Brie explores her complicated relationship with Chad, another co-worker, while Jerry and company lawyer Samantha reflect on their feelings for each other (I WONDER WHY). Chad’s humanitarian efforts in Nigeria come up in conversation, and Brian gets very jealous. He crushes the computer mouse he is holding and goes to replace it, but almost locks himself inside a storage closet with a faulty lock. He goes home to get his external hard drive, and finds Coal acting out a fictional game show. (COAL’S GAME SHOW GAME SHOW). Brian prays to John Grisham—his favorite author—that he might make Brie happy and get his life on track. Back at the office, Jerry discovers that Samantha is a vegetarian, to his dismay. He is tormented by vegetable goblins as he professes his longing for her (FORBIDDEN LOVE). Brian tries to ask Brie on a date, but is interrupted by Jerry, who wants Brian to show him the new website. Brian realizes he left his computer at home and leaves once again to retrieve it. At home, Brian discovers Coal hanging out with Chad, who is raising money for the soup kitchen door-to-door. Coal is smitten with Chad and claims he is perfect, which Chad refutes (NOBODY’S PERFECT). Chad and Coal leave to go discuss game shows, and Brian prays to John Grisham again for help. Brian replaces his glasses with contact lenses and gains confidence. Back at the office, Brian and Brie are the last ones to leave. Brian accidentally locks them inside the storage closet together. Brie realizes she has feelings for Brian, and they fall asleep together (WHEN YOU NEED SOMEONE).

Act Two:
They awake, and Brian is delighted to discover that everything is now going perfectly in his life—Brie is in love with him, Samantha and Jerry admire his work, and Chad announces that he is moving to Nigeria. (ENTR’ACTE/GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL/REPRISE). Brian wakes up at his desk and realizes that he was dreaming. Jerry asks Chad for help because American Smoothie desperately needs a new flavor to stay in business. Chad digs deeps into his subconscious and remembers his childhood on the Fruit Farm (FRUIT FARM BLUES). Chad reluctantly shares his secret family recipe in order to try and save the company. Brian convinces Brie to stop over at his apartment before heading back to work. When they leave without Brian’s flash drive, Coal grabs it and follows them. Back at work, Chad tries to explain to Jerry that he shouldn’t pursue Samantha romantically because he is her boss. Jerry tells Samantha that he has a bird fetish. Samantha is surprised, but decides to strut like a bird, which floors Jerry. Brian and Brie sneak back into the office but Coal makes a huge scene, busting in and delivering the flash drive to Brian. Coal makes Brian look even worse to all his co-workers. He reveals Brian’s feelings about Brie, how he hates Chad, and his apathy towards Samantha. Coal leaves, and everyone is mad at Brian, who sadly retreats home. The real John Grisham calls Brian and tells him he should frame Chad for murder. Brian looks up how to frame someone for murder and goes to the office to give it a try (THE FRAMING SONG). Brian discovers a dead janitor in the storage closet, and realizes that a real murder has already taken place. He runs home to tell Coal. The next morning, a Sleuth investigates the murder (I AM A SLEUTH). The Sleuth arrests Chad based on the evidence Brian planted the night before. Brie confesses to Brian that she is an undercover agent for the CIA and was investigating the office the whole time. Before she can leave, John Grisham enters and convinces Brie to stay, then agrees to stay on as Chad’s replacement. Brian checks his email and finds a video from Chad. Chad revokes his permission for the company to use his family’s recipe. He admits that he murdered the janitor and also planted a bomb in the office, which will now explode in 30 seconds. Brie frantically tries to deactivate the bomb, but can’t get past the security question, a piece of game show trivia. Brian calls Coal, who of course knows the answer. Brian types it in just as the bomb was about to explode. The office is saved! Everyone rejoices and Brian finally gains the acceptance and admiration of his co-workers. The office celebrates with a round of smoothies (FINALE: WE DIDN’T DIE/REPRISE).