8 Minutes Idle

Dan is a Bristol call centre worker whose life is upended when his mother Kathy kicks him out after he lets his father in. He is promoted to team leader, but the role requires he decide who to fire, placing him under intense pressure. He ends up sleeping in the office with his cat John, and his attempts to secure a place to live pull him into a messy web of personal and professional conflicts. The unraveling events—his affair with his boss Alice, the death of John, and his eventual living arrangement with Teri—force him to face his own priorities.

Kathy is Dan's mother who kicks him out after a confrontation over her late husband and the lottery ticket. She represents a stubborn, protective, and sometimes volatile force in Dan's life, driving the rift between mother and son. Her actions intersect with the lottery drama, highlighting themes of trust, blame, and reconciliation within the family.

Alice is the icy boss who pushes Dan to fire someone, using power dynamics and occasional sexual tension to influence him. Her presence intensifies the workplace drama and ultimately contributes to the collapse of the call centre. She crosses professional boundaries with Dan and is central to the tension that drives the story.

Teri is Dan's coworker who becomes a potential love interest. She helps him retrieve his cat and provides a supportive, practical presence during a chaotic period. She reveals complexities in her own life, including a fabricated boyfriend, and ultimately offers a possible new living arrangement when she moves into the now-empty office.

Ade is a coworker who interacts with Dan about money and lends him support. Her presence highlights the financial tension in the team and the complexities of workplace camaraderie under stress.

Ian is a coworker who confronts Dan about the money owed to Ade and the pressure of the situation. He represents the voice of practical truth amidst office rumors and personal drama, challenging Dan's choices and highlighting the consequences of mismanaged finances.