September 14, 2026 · daily scene
The Inspection
Given circumstances
- Character
- Tenant
- Setting
- Your apartment, noon, every light on, air freshener still obvious
- The moment before
- They pointed at the ceiling corner you repainted last week. The new paint doesn't match.
- Scene partner
- Your landlord, standing in the doorway with a clipboard
Direction
Cooperative until cooperation becomes confession. The moment you stop explaining is the moment you start protecting yourself.
Script
That was there when I moved in. I have photos, I can pull them up right now.
(listening)
I'm not—okay. Fine. Maybe I missed it in the photos. But I patched it because I thought that's what you're supposed to do. Take care of the place.
(beat)
So you're saying I damaged it by fixing it.
(they keep talking)
You know what? Keep the deposit. Charge me for the whole wall if that's what this is. Just tell me now so I know what I'm signing next time.
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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