September 25, 2026 · daily scene
The Test Results
Given circumstances
- Character
- Lab Technician
- Setting
- A university bio lab, after hours, only the emergency lighting on.
- The moment before
- You ran the sequencing again after she left for the day. The contamination isn't external. It's in the original sample she collected.
- Scene partner
- Your supervising professor, standing by the locked sample freezer
Direction
Start by trying to protect her, then realize halfway through that you might need to protect yourself. The tactic changes when you understand what she's asking.
Script
PROFESSORYou're here late.
I wanted to rerun the PCR before tomorrow. I thought maybe the first batch was degraded, or I mishandled the prep, but—
PROFESSORAnd?
Same result. Actually, cleaner this time. The markers are consistent. Which means the sample you logged on the sixteenth is not what you said it was.
(she closes the freezer door softly)
PROFESSORDid you tell anyone else?
No. Not yet.
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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