September 11, 2026 · daily scene
Negative Clearance
Given circumstances
- Character
- Crew Member
- Setting
- Airlock corridor, red warning light rotating, twenty minutes until separation burn.
- The moment before
- The test came back flagged. You ran it twice. They're asking you to run it a third time and get a different answer.
- Scene partner
- The mission commander, in full EVA suit, helmet under one arm
Direction
You're the only thing standing between protocol and momentum. They outrank you and the clock is louder than you are.
Script
Cortisol's still elevated. Kidney function borderline. It's the same reading I gave you forty minutes ago.
(listening)
I know what the window is. I also know what happens if you stroke out there and I'm the one who cleared you.
(they cut you off)
Then override me. You have that authority. Make it your call instead of mine, and I'll open the door right now.
(long beat)
That's what I thought. So we wait six hours, we retest, and if you're clean, you go. And if I'm wrong, you court-martial me on the other side.
Written for Act It Up. Free to rehearse and perform for practice, classes and self-tapes.
Record this scene with a teleprompter and a scene partner who reads the other lines.
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