Massively Looming Ominous Punch Clock

 (Scene: A dimly lit, dreary workplace entrance. A massive, ominous punch clock looms over the employees as they shuffle in. Everyone wears a ball and chain, but the 'ball' is actually a ticking clock.)

EMPLOYEE 1: (dragging their clock-chain) Another day, another tick-tock…

EMPLOYEE 2: (sarcastically) Don’t you just love the sound of freedom?

(Suddenly, EMPLOYEE 3 approaches the punch clock and starts hyperventilating.)

EMPLOYEE 3: (panicked) No, no, no—I can’t! I CAN’T! It’s mocking me! (points at the clock, which ticks ominously) I refuse to be controlled by the machine!

SUPERVISOR: (rolling eyes) We go through this every morning, Jeff. Just punch in.

(EMPLOYEE 3 whimpers, covering their eyes, and blindly slaps the clock with a trembling hand.)

EMPLOYEE 4 (PREGNANT WOMAN): (punches in) There. Another day, another—(suddenly clutches belly) Oh… oh no.

EMPLOYEE 2: (staring) Uh… was that… your water breaking?

EMPLOYEE 4: (nodding) Yup. That just happened.

EMPLOYEE 1: (in awe) It’s a sign. A sign from above!

(Everyone stares at the punch clock as if it holds divine power.)

SUPERVISOR: (sighs) No, it’s a sign that she should get to the hospital!

EMPLOYEE 4: (calmly) Yeah, but I already punched in. I’m committed now.

SUPERVISOR: (massaging temples) Oh for the love of—

(Suddenly, a LITTLE PERSON enters, looking around.)

LITTLE PERSON: (frowning) Who took my stool?

(Everyone shrugs. LITTLE PERSON eyes the punch clock and starts jumping, trying to reach it.)

LITTLE PERSON: (grunting) I swear… if one of you is messing with me again—

EMPLOYEE 2: (snickering) Maybe it’s a test of perseverance.

LITTLE PERSON: Or maybe you’re a jerk!

(LITTLE PERSON keeps jumping, getting more frustrated, while EMPLOYEE 3 is still nervously twitching at the clock. Suddenly, EMPLOYEE 4 lets out a loud contraction groan, startling everyone.)

EMPLOYEE 1: (whispers) The clock gods are angry.

SUPERVISOR: (throws hands in the air) I need a new job.

(As chaos unfolds—EMPLOYEE 3 having a breakdown, EMPLOYEE 4 going into labor, LITTLE PERSON jumping—an ALARM sounds, signaling the start of the workday. Everyone freezes. Then, as if nothing happened, they all shuffle inside, dragging their clock-chains.)

(Curtain falls.)