September 21, 2026 · daily scene
The Returned Sweater
Given circumstances
- Character
- Cashier
- Setting
- Retail returns counter, line forming behind them, register beeping intermittently
- The moment before
- They slid the receipt across the counter and said they changed their mind.
- Scene partner
- A customer holding a sweater with the tags still on and a receipt from eleven months ago
Direction
Play it sweet and helpful, even as you're saying no. The nicer you are, the funnier the situation gets.
Script
Our return policy is ninety days.
(listening)
I understand, but this receipt is from last January. We've had a whole winter since then. And spring. And summer. Most of fall.
(they're insisting)
The tags are on, yes, but the tag says forty dollars and we're selling these now for fifteen. So if I return it, you'd be making money.
(beat)
I can't override the system. Believe me, if I could, I'd override a lot of things. Like the music we're playing. And my schedule.
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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