October 19, 2026 · daily scene
The Interview
Given circumstances
- Character
- Applicant
- Setting
- Hotel conference room, single chair facing a mirrored wall.
- The moment before
- They asked you a question about your previous job. You answered. They wrote something down and smiled in a way that didn't reach their eyes.
- Scene partner
- The interviewer, sitting across from you with a folder and no company logo anywhere
Direction
You came here wanting the job. Midway through, you start wanting to leave but can't without making it worse. The shift is realizing you're not being interviewed—you're being assessed for something else.
Script
I'm sorry—can I ask what this position actually involves? The job listing was pretty vague.
INTERVIEWERWe're looking for someone discreet. Someone who doesn't ask too many questions outside the scope of their work.
Right. Of course. I just meant—what would my day-to-day responsibilities be?
INTERVIEWERTell me about your brother.
(beat)
I didn't put anything about my brother in my application.
I don't think I did. I know I didn't. So how do you know I have a brother?
INTERVIEWERBackground check. Standard procedure.
You don't do background checks before the first interview.
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.
Perform it in Act It Up Or perform it in your browser