Career Opportunities 1991

Twenty-one-year-old Jim Dodge, a self-proclaimed “people person” with dreams that often feel unachievable, struggles under the weight of a reputation as a slacker and good-for-nothing. After being let go from a series of dead-end jobs, he receives an ultimatum from his father, Bud Dodge: either take a position at the local Target or face being sent to St. Louis to work for his uncle. With no clear path ahead, Jim reluctantly accepts the job and steps into the role of a night cleanup boy.

On his very first shift, Jim finds himself alone in the store after his boss, the head custodian, leaves him to complete the night. In this solitude, he meets the beautiful and enigmatic Josie McClellan; she had been hiding away in a dressing room, having just escaped from a botched attempt at shoplifting. Josie’s actions were fueled by her desperate wish to break free from her abusive father, Roger Roy McClellan. Unknown to Jim at first, Josie had fallen asleep in the dressing room after fleeing the chaos outside.

As they spend the night together, Jim and Josie discover a surprising bond that transcends their disparate backgrounds. They both harbor a deep sense of restlessness that brings them closer. In the empty aisles of the store, their chemistry grows, and Josie’s stash of $52,000 - tucked away in her purse - sparks her adventurous spirit. She persuades Jim to forsake his mundane existence and embark on a spontaneous journey to Los Angeles at dawn.

Meanwhile, Roger McClellan is relentlessly searching for his daughter, assisted by the town sheriff. However, what they don’t realize is that Josie has already orchestrated her own escape. She convinces a duo of incompetent thieves, Nestor Pyle and Gil Kinney, to take her along as they attempt their getaway. In a surprising twist, while Josie drives off, she leaves Nestor and Gil stranded with the stolen goods in the parking lot.

Back at Target, Jim stumbles upon a shotgun in the head custodian’s locker, eagerly waiting for the perfect moment to act. As Nestor and Gil return, Jim cleverly sets a trap, using the shotgun to hold them at gunpoint until the sheriff arrives, leading to their capture.

In the exhilarating aftermath of their audacious escape, Jim and Josie find themselves lounging poolside in Hollywood, enveloped by the vibrant lights and endless opportunities that the city has to offer. Their wild adventure has just begun, and both are ready to embrace whatever comes next.