Short version| Detailed Outline

A young hit man falls on hard times and gets a job as an usher in a movie theatre. He can't handle it. He finds himself faced with the everyday frustrations of the workplace, and embroiled in the petty romances and power struggles of the high-school-aged employees. Unable to comprehend the unique social and moral rules of this environment, he begins to break down and lose touch with reality. Eventually his presumed training as a killer resurfaces as his last defense.

On the surface, USHER is a "genre-based" drama (the story of a "hit man in hiding"), but placed in a controlled, determined, work-based setting (a movie theatre), to explore the quieter reaches of the genre. It's by turns romantic, a thriller, and a meditation on art (it does take place in a movie theatre), its consumption and presumptions.

USHER - Detailed Outline

Screenplay by Roger Leatherwood
Story by Adam Aicher and Roger Leatherwood

synopsis

1. ASH IS A YOUNG BUT SOMEWHAT UNPROFESSIONAL HITMAN.

ASH, 24, performs what seems to be a rather messy murder in an apartment. He leaves, and returns to his BOSS.

The BOSS, a Greek with dubious underworld connections, informs Ash his services are no longer needed. In spite of Ash's protests, the Boss tells Ash to look for other work, until he's needed again.

2. ASH GETS A PART-TIME JOB.

And so Ash, unable to prove himself, gets a job in a movie theatre as an USHER. He meets the manager, MR. RODERICK, and the other young employees, BLAKE, JAIME, and NOVELYN, who flirts with the customers. Ash resists her charms for the moment.

Blake sends Ash in to take care of problem customers, which Ash handles well, using an intimidating, powerful charm.

3. ASH MEETS THE THEATRE'S NEMESIS.

ALVIN, who runs the hot dog place next door, visits and harrasses Novelyn; making her uncomfortable. Ignoring Jaime's pleas, Alvin finally backs off when Ash threatens. Alvin will be back.

As the days wear on, Ash takes Jaime under his wing, trying to get him to improve his work ethic. Teach him a "code." The other ushers are unable to bring Ash into their circle.

4. ASH TEACHES ALVIN A LESSON.

After hearing more about Alvin always torments Novelyn, Ash goes next door and intimidates him at the hot dog place. Ash demonstrates his seriousness by busting up the menu boards and cash registers. Now the battle lines have been drawn.

5. ASH REALIZES HIS FATE IS NOT HIS OWN.

The Boss calls Ash back in, but it's merely to chauffeur his young nephew to school, not to return to his old hitman position.

That night, Ash goes out with Blake and Jaime to a bar. Ash doesn't drink. Blake expounds on his theory that theatres are hallowed places - museums in which man displays his art.

Ash's view of the theatre is changing. It's taking on more importance in his life.

The next day, Jaime comes into the theatre late (again), but before Mr. Roderick finds out, Jaime turns all the clocks in the theatre back 6 minutes. Roderick is fooled, and Ash turns his own watch back also.

6. ASH'S LAST NIGHT.

Alvin and 2 of his goon friends come into the theatre on a busy night and approach Novelyn. This time, she smiles at Alvin and appears to welcome his attentions. Regardless, Ash breaks it up and threatens Alvin into leaving.

Alvin isn't interested in being humiliated a second time, and promises to even the score. Ash is satisfied, but ignores Novelyn from that point on.

Mr. Roderick asks Ash if he'd like to become assistant manager that night. Ash turns him down.

At the very end of the night, the Waitress from the bar earlier exits the theatre, and Ash recognizes her. Ash spurns her advances.

Alvin returns to the front doors, with his 2 goons, and begin fighting Ash in the empty theatre.

Ash takes them on one by one, drawing them deeper into the bowels of the empty theatre.Finally, up on the roof, Alvin realizes he's trapped. Alvin jumps, rather than let Ash push him. In effect, Alvin has won.

7. END.

Ash, defeated and all meaning gone from his life, returns to the train station in which he arrived in town, hurt and dying.

As he waits for a train that won't come, the Waitress from the bar, also there, sees and goes to him. He puts his head on her shoulder. He can barely speak.

FADE TO BLACK