By
David I. Brager
517 Newcomer Street
Richland, WA 99352-2243173
(509)/946-4471
[email protected]
http://www.scrypnosis.com
Copyright 2000 by David I. Brager. All rights reserved.

Please do not reprint without permission.
 

"Realtor®" is a registered trademark of the National Association of Realtors.

Writer's Note on
Setting: In my mind, most setwork is imaginary. A lot of descriptive pointing and talking.

In reality, real estate is often so different and difficult that it, in some ways, really doesn't exist. The fixtures, paints, colors, locations, people...everything's different from moment to moment. About the only thing that one can rely upon is an office from where to come and go.

The only other thing that is fairly common is bare land. You can step it off, measure it, and at any given moment suggest that what exists be torn down and something new be built in it's place...hence, it's only as real as you make it.

What I envision is to have white walls with back projection of interiors from slides, so to move from the kitchen to the upper landing, the person walks off stage, sounds of a person climbing stairs is heard, and then the hall from the upstairs is projected.

In any case, all of my locational statements are mere suggestions. I am not into blocking, but it helps in reading the play. You are in control of the rest...I'm just the story dweller.
 

Time: The present.
 

Characters (Approx. Age) {Behavior of certain characters}

Brent/Narrator(50's to 60's)
George (Mid 40's to 50's)
Helen (Mid 40's to 50's) {Helen interrupts others}
Teri/Appraiser #1 {Teri is brusque and curt}
Jeffrey/Appraiser #2 {Jeffrey is warm & compassionate}
Bill {Bill is very blunt}
Christian
Banker
Laura (Mid 30's to 40's)
Title Officer
 

Scene 1:
 

A real estate office, with a desk, a phone (with phone book beneath it), a plant, a chair behind and two chairs in front. The entrance to the office is at the rear, so his back is to the windows, which are curtained. There is a water dispenser to midstage left, with a waste basket downstage from there.
 

Brent (the Narrator), who is sitting behind the desk, speaks...

Brent: Thirty years is a long time to do anything. Just one more house, and I'll retire.

Brent stands, walks to the water dispenser and pulls a cup.

Brent: In my business, the door says that I sell real estate...but I don't. I sell psychological counseling for the most neurotic people in the universe...home buyers.

Brent fills his cup and drinks it, then fills another and takes it back to his desk and sits.

Brent: Do you hear that word? They want HOMES, not houses...not bathrooms...not kitchens... They're in for the dream...a family, a life, somewhere to grow old. They're...

Brent spills his cup as he shouts the next word...

Brent: CRAZY!!!!...but not before they've met me...and not when they move into the house...Just for the time when I've got them, they're nuts!!!

Brent gets a handkerchief out of his pocket and wipes the mess, using his foot to "mop the floor" with it.

Brent: I think this time will be it. One last sale, and I'm outta here...
 
 

Scene 2:

Couple, George and Helen are out on a walk.

George: Helen, why is it, every year, we find ourselves alone for the holidays?

Helen: It's your kids that won't come to visit, George. Since you used the second bedroom to enlarge ours, there's no place for guests.

George: Well, it's your kids that suggested the conversion. I thought it was a good idea at the time.

Helen: It was...but it wasn't.

Helen and George approach a property that is being measured by two people.

Teri/Appraiser#1 is holding a clip board, the "dumb end" of the tape measure, and writing down measurements. Jeffrey/Appraiser#2 is holding the side that has the handle and is reading measurements to the other appraiser, and is wearing a strap, connected to a camera, around his neck.

Teri/Ap#1: Twenty-eight feet, six inches

George: Excuse me. Are you going to build an addition to your house?

Teri/Ap#1: This isn't our house. We're appraising it.

Teri/Ap#1 drops the end of tape as Teri/Ap#1 reels in the tape measure.

Helen: So, how much is it worth?

Teri/Ap#1 writes the measurement down on the clipboard.

Teri/Ap#1: That's a good question. I have no idea.

The couple move closer.

George: So how much did it sell for?

Jeffrey/Ap#2: Hmm. Another good question. <Pause>  I honestly don't know.

Teri/Ap#1: And if we did, we still couldn't tell you.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: It comes under Professional Ethics, you know.

Helen laughs.

Helen: I understand.

Helen sticks out her hand.

Helen: I'm Helen Shay, and this is my husband, George.

Teri/Ap#1 shakes Helen's hand.

Teri/Ap#1: Good Morning.

George: Hello.

Jeffrey/Ap#2 shakes hands with George.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: Hi, I'm Jeffrey. Teri, here is helping for the day.

Teri/Ap#1: He invited me to lunch...then he put me to work.

Jeffrey laughs genuinely.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: You've done it to me, Teri.

Helen blurts out a question.

Helen: I've been thinking about buying a house.

George: Yes, I have too. Ma'am, do you have any recommendations?

Teri/Ap#1: Have you considered using a real estate agent or a Realtor®?

Jeffrey/Ap#2 pulls a wad of business cards out of his pocket. Some fall to the ground.

George: I didn't know there was a difference.

Jeffrey/Ap#2 bends to pick up the cards.
 

Teri/Ap#1: Well, a Realtor® is bound to professional ethics that are beyond the laws that regulate all real estate agents.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: Here's a bunch that I've found trustworthy.

Jeffrey/Ap#2 flips through the cards, and then selects one, scrutinizing it for a moment.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: The closest one to here is Brent Peterson.  Here's his card with his picture.

Jeffrey/Ap#2 picks the one card and hands it to Helen, who looks at it.

Teri/Ap#1: Brent's been in the business for years, and he's totally honest.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: And he actually likes appraisers...

George takes the card from Helen and looks at it.

George: Well, thanks for your help.

Jeffrey/Ap#2: You're welcome. I'm sorry if I seem rushed, but we've got to get this finished. We're due at the next house in fifteen minutes.

The couple move away

Helen: Have a good one.

Teri/Ap#1: Oh we will. Only five more houses to inspect today.

George and Helen walk away.

Teri/Ap#1: "And he actually likes appraisers..." Nice touch...

Jeffrey/Ap#2: Well, he's been nice to me anyway.

Appraisers #1 and #2 walk away.
 
 

Scene 3:
 

Brent, sitting at his desk, goes to sip a cup of water, when the door's pushed open and a bell-on-the-door jingles, which causes him to dribble a little of his water on his shirt.

Helen: Excuse me, are you Brent Peterson?

Brent: I am, yes.

Brent stands, looks at his shirt.

Brent: Please forgive my shirt. I just spilled water on it.

Brent extends his hand...George shakes it.

George: I'm George Shay. This is my wife, Helen...

Helen: <interrupting and waving> Hello...

George: <continuing> and we're here to buy a house...or at least that's our goal.

Helen pulls Brent's card out of her purse.

Helen: We got your card from a really nice appraiser named Jeffrey. He said you liked appraisers.

Brent slightly grimaces, walks to his desk, and pulls out a small hand towel.

Brent: Not all of them, but Jeffrey doesn't let his ego affect his integrity.

George: Does that happen?

Brent tries to dry off his shirt, then returns the towel to his desk.

Brent: Yes.

Brent gestures to the chairs.

Brent: Please...sit down.

Brent waits for his guests to sit, then he sits down himself, and pulls himself forward into the desk.

Brent: So, do you know what you want in a house?

George: More space. We're in a one-bedroom home, and ...

Helen: <interrupting> We need room enough for five children and about ten grandchildren to somehow fit in the same house.

George: That is, if we can afford it.

Brent rummages through his desk, pulls out a printed form, closes the drawer, and, with a pen he gets off the desk, begins taking notes.

Brent: Are you renting or do you own your current house?

Helen: We're just renting...leasing actually, but our lease is up at the end of the month..

Brent: Well, that makes it easy. You can buy and just move out.

Brent gestures to the water dispenser.

Brent: Oh, if you'd like some water, please help yourself. It's cold.

George: Thank you. I will.

George stands.

George: Honey, would you like some water?

Helen: No thank you.

George pulls a cup.

George: We'd like to find a house with a yard. Eventually, we'd like to get a pool, but that's not necessary, unless the price is right.

George pours a cup and drinks it, then pours another and returns to his chair.

Helen: And a gas fireplace.

Brent opens his desk and pulls out a book of pictures of homes.

Brent: Here are some of the listings in this area. Why don't you look through this book while I fill out my paperwork?

Helen: Okay.

Brent: So, are you going to get a loan?

George: Yes.

Brent pulls out the phone book from under the telephone on his desk.

Brent: Forest Hills Savings and Trust has the best rates this week at seven and a half percent on three points.

George: Is that good?

Brent: It's in this market.

George stands and gets another cup of water.

George: I know the bank will loan only if we pass the credit check, the title comes back clear, and the home is appraised to at least the value of the sales price. Am I missing anything?

George drinks his cup of water.

Brent: The transaction needs to finish before the closing date of the contract, but otherwise, you're correct.

George goes to sit back down.

Brent: I must warn you. Once you begin a transaction, your whole life may seem like it's out of your hands...and in some ways, it is.

George shifts in his chair.

George: WHAT???!!!

Helen: George! Relax!

Brent: Don't panic. I just wanted to mention that if you let it bother you, a transaction can be stressful.

Helen: <more to herself> Oh, this will be fun.

Brent stands.

Brent: So, would you like to go see some houses?

Helen and George both stand up. Helen stretches and yawns.

Helen: I'm ready.

Brent: Okay. Follow me.

Brent holds open the door. Helen, then George leave, followed by Brent. Brent closes and then locks the door.
 
 

Scene 4:
 

Brent (as Narrator): Not everyone sells their home through an agent. Some are for sale by owner, or "Fizzbows" as we call them in the business. When you sell it yourself, you have to do all the work, and sometimes, things don't turn out exactly as you may have planned.

Jeffrey's looking for a house, with Bill in town. Christian's the seller who is holding an open house.

Bill and Jeffrey stand outside of a door to an open house that is for sale

Bill: Are you sure you want to buy a house?

Jeffrey: Yes...finally.

Bill knocks on the screen door, before an enclosed courtyard. The door is opened by Christian.

Christian: Are you here for the open house?

Jeffrey: Am I too early?

Christian: I didn't expect anyone until eight a.m..

Bill: Would you like us to come back later?

Christian: No, please come in.

Jeffrey and Bill enter the courtyard.

Christian: I'm Christian. Welcome to my open house.

Jeffrey: Hello, Christian. I'm Jeffrey and this is Bill.

Bill: Hi.

Christian: Did you see my ad in the paper?

Christian walks back from the door to a table, where there is a stack of "listing" papers, depicting the house in finer details. He picks up one copy of these off the table.

Bill: No, I saw the sign out front as we were driving by.

Jeffrey: We've been living in an apartment for years, and, actually, I need a change.

Bill: I can't stand screaming children running in the halls at all hours.

Christian looks at the listing paper for himself.

Christian: I know what you mean. I love my privacy.

Jeffrey: Starting now, I plan to see ten houses this weekend.

Christian: Well, here's a summary of the features in this home.

Christian hands the piece of paper to Jeffrey

Christian: I'll try to answer all of your questions...

Jeffrey : <to Christian> Thank you. Perhaps you can tell me why you're selling the home.

Christian pauses slightly, taking a deep breath, wishing for any other question...not that one...

Christian: It has a lot of memories that I'd rather not remember.

They walk themselves into the entry.

Christian: This home was built in 1900, but in 1978, it was completely renovated, including circuit breakers and copper pipes.

Jeffrey becomes interested in the floor.

Jeffrey: This parquet entry is exquisite.

Christian: My dad installed it in the 60's. It's inlaid with redwood and pine.

Bill: <to Jeffrey, eyeing the surrounding area> Hmm...Off white walls --

They're plain, but they go with everything we have.

They enter the living room.

Jeffrey: I love the woodwork. Christian, is that mantelpiece oak?

Christian: I think so. My great-grandfather, who came here from Holland, built the place. If you look closely, you'll see his initials carved in the mantelpiece.

Bill: <more to himself than anyone> An heirloom?

Christian: I inherited the house from my grandmother, and as much as I love it...I think it's going to be too much work... <extended pause> Let me show you the kitchen.

They enter the kitchen

Christian: Would you like some coffee?

Jeffrey: Yes, please.

Bill: Need you ask?

Christian gets cups then goes to a coffee pot and pours, bringing them back to Jeffrey and Bill.

Jeffrey: Thank you.

Jeffrey sips his coffee.

Jeffrey: Your cabinets are beautiful. Who did the etchings?

Christian: Every generation of my family has added something. Even my mother and I did a little of the work. It was a tradition...

Bill: <interrupting Christian> Do you have any cream?

Christian: Oh. Just a minute...it's in the refrigerator...

Bill: <interrupting Christian> By the way, are you including the refrigerator in the sale?

Christian: Yes. <pause> I don't think I'll be needing it.

Christian gets the cream and gives it to Bill, then walks to the rear of the room

Christian: Back here's the laundry room, which opens to the back hall and the stairwells. My bedroom's in the basement, but let's go upstairs. You can bring your coffee.

They take the stairs, talking as they ascend.

Christian: There's a patio out back, and a hot tub. The back yard is very private, with a surrounding hedge.

Jeffrey: I love hot tubs.

They reach the landing, which opens to a hallway.

Christian: There were once four bedrooms, but Grandpa combined two to make a master bedroom, with a private bath. It's at the end of the hall.

Jeffrey: The carpets look brand new.

Christian: I bought them a year ago.

Bill: So, are you going to a new job somewhere else?

Christian: Don't I wish.... No. Nothing that fun...Let me show you the bathrooms.

Christian points into an area noted as the bath. Jeffrey enters the space.

Jeffrey: The tiles around the bathtub look like they're imported.

Christian: They are. From France. Grandpa brought them back after the war.

Jeffrey rejoins the group as the go to the end of the hall.

Christian: Here's the master bedroom.

Jeffrey: Oh. This is beautiful.

Bill: What's wrong with it? Why don't you live up here?

Christian: It's way too hot up here for me in the summer.

Jeffrey: It's rather hot now...it could use a wall air conditioner.

Christian walks towards the back of the room.

Christian: Back here, there's a sliding glass door that opens onto a wood deck, with stairs down to the hot tub.

Bill: And you're sure you really want to sell this house?

Christian stops and looks out the window, then stoops into silence, sitting down in a chair.

Jeffrey: You don't want to sell, do you?

Dull silence falters, then gradually fades into words on Christian's lips.

Christian: <almost a whisper> I'm dying.

Bill: Pardon?

Christian: <fervent yet quiet tones in crescendo> I tested positive for HIV. I figured that I better get my life in order.

Bill: What do you think? You're going to die in a few weeks and that's it?

Christian: Well, aren't I?

Jeffrey takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly.

Jeffrey: Christian, HIV is not what they thought it was a decade ago.

Christian: What are you, a Doctor?

Jeffrey: No...I'm a patient.

Silence.

Jeffrey: Actually, Christian, we're both HIV positive.

Bill: This giving up and dying crap is bullshit!

Jeffrey, having had enough of Bill's callousness, explodes.

Jeffrey: Bill! For heaven's sake!

Bill: ...oh... sorry, Jeffrey...

Jeffrey turns gently to Christian.

Jeffrey: Christian, we're shopping for a house. Does that sound like we're dying.

Silence.

Christian: No...I guess not...perhaps I've made a mistake.

Bill: About dying...or about selling?

Christian slowly turns away. Jeffrey looks at his watch.

Jeffrey: Well, I guess it's back to looking for someplace to live.

Christian thinks for a moment.

Christian: Would you have an interest in being room-mates? I get the basement. You two get the upstairs...we'll share the main level. I'll make it worth your while.

Jeffrey and Bill take a moment to think...

Bill: That has merit.

Christian: And if I do get worse, Jeffrey can buy it then.

Jeffrey scrunches up his face.

Jeffrey: ...and when did I say I wanted to buy the house?

Bill: <to Jeffrey> You did have the look...

<to Christian> Christian, he lives for shopping.

Christian: Now that's funny...So do I...
 
 

Scene 5:
 

Brent (as Narrator): The Shay's have been busy. They found a house, and drew up an offer.

Brent sips his cup. The stage lights illuminate the desk to reveal a banker at the desk with George and Helen at bay.

Brent (as Narrator): Apparently, their credit isn't spectacular. I watched as the bank representative cut up all their credit cards...just to make certain no new debt shows up on their credit report.

Banker is seen cutting up credit cards.

Brent (as Narrator): I thought George was going to kill himself a banker.

George slams his fist down upon the desk. Helen (ad lib) chides him and consoles him. Lights down on desk.

Brent (as Narrator): When the Shays passed their credit report, the bank ordered a title report and the appraisal.

Desk lights up, this time with Jeffrey at the phone.

Brent (as Narrator): Jeffrey declined doing the report, saying he was concerned about any possible conflict of interest, since he sent the buyers to me. <more to himself> Impeccable ethics...

Lights down on Jeffrey.

Brent (as Narrator): So, someone else appraised it.
 
 

Scene 6:
 

Teri is wearing a camera strapped around her neck, has a clip board in hand, and is inspecting a property. She is alone, inspecting a home to which she has the key. Teri walks to upstage center, turns and faces downstage center, with her camera at the audience, taking a flash photograph.

Teri: <to herself> Back Photo

Teri then walks to upstage left, then faces downstage right.

Teri: <to herself> Front Photo

Teri now walks to upstage right, then faces downstage left.

Teri: <to herself> Street Photo

Teri takes out a small, hand-held notation tape recorder. She checks the tape and sets it to recording. All talking, unless noted, is into the tape recorder.

Teri: This is Teri Chambers, It's October 18th, and I'm inspecting the house at 134 Dawson Avenue. It's on a corner lot.

Teri walks out to downstage center, facing downstage left, and as she says the next line, her path of vision as well as her body swings from Downstage Left to Downstage Right.

Teri: The street is asphalt. There is a concrete curb, gutter, and sidewalk. There are storm drains.

Teri looks up, returning the gaze to downstage Left, though above the heads of the audience, while stating:

Teri: Streetlights?

Teri spots one way, way, way in the distance.

Teri: Nnnnnnnnn...yess, there are streetlights...though at that distance, why bother?

Teri walks to upstage left, facing downstage right.

Teri: The yard is professionally landscaped with underground sprinklers with a timer. There is an in-ground pool with a diving board and slide in the rear yard.

Teri gives the "house" a once over, then:

Teri: <sigh>...Typical. Rock and rubble foundation, marblecrete siding, slate roof.

Teri takes a key out of her pocket and pulls open the door, to enter it.

Teri: Beautiful tile entry of cobalt blue. Good quality Berber carpets and Drywall. Aluminum Insulated windows.

Teri moves to a living room area.

Teri: Sunken living room. Wood stove with blower. Elegant stained glass windows aside fireplace. Neutral hues and textures throughout.

Teri moves to where a Dining room might be, and then moves to the kitchen.

Teri: Tile dining room floor. Oak cabinets in kitchen.

Teri hears the sound of running water.

Teri: <pause...to herself> That sounds like water running...

Teri follows the sound.

Teri: <to herself> Probably the toilet's still running

Teri opens a door to the bathroom. Laura's wrapped in a towel.

Laura: <screams>

Teri reacts...then

Teri: <lesser scream>

Laura: ...uh...Are you the appraiser?

Teri: Yes. Didn't anyone tell you I was coming?

Laura: They might have...I've been out of town...there's probably a message on my machine...Give me a minute...I'll meet you in the living room.

Teri returns to the living room and sits down. In a moment, Laura joins her, now in a robe.

Teri: Laura...I'm Teri. I picked up a key from your agent, Brent Peterson.

Laura: Brent's a sweetie. So, can I get you something to drink?

Laura goes to the cabinet under the desk.

Teri: I could have used a scotch about a minute ago.

Laura lifts and shows a bottle of scotch.

Laura: I have scotch if you want it.

Teri: No. Just kidding.

Laura: Suit yourself. I'm too hot, so I'm going to have some cold water.

Laura replaces the bottle back from where it came. She then goes to the water dispenser and pours herself a cup.

Laura: May I ask some questions?

Teri: As long as you don't ask me what your house is worth.

Laura sips her cup of water.

Laura: Why?

Teri: Well, for one thing, until I do my homework, I have no idea.

Teri points to the water dispenser.

Teri: May I?

Laura: Oh, of course. Help yourself.

Teri pulls a cup and continues talking as she draws herself a cup of water.

Teri: I get that question a lot.

Teri sips from her cup.

Laura: I understand. I just wondered what things add the most value.

Teri goes and re-fills her cup.

Teri: To be honest, the things that add the most value are the things that cost the least.

Laura: What do you mean?

Teri sips her water.

Teri: Well, a clean house, with neutral colors, for example. A house that's kept in good condition will add more value over almost anything else.

Teri finishes her water.

Teri: Now, I have a question. Why are you selling the house?

Laura: Bad memories...the bad one screwing the good ones.

Teri turns off her recorder.

Teri: So, is this a divorce?

Laura: No. My husband, Bruce, died...

Silence. After a moment, Laura begins to walk away.

Laura: You better finish your work.

Laura leaves. Teri jots some notes down on her clipboard.

Teri: Good-bye Laura.

Laura leaves. Teri walks to mid-stage right, looking left, then right, then left, and then, after turning it back on, talks into her mini-recorder.

Teri: This is the end of the inspection of 134 Dawson Avenue.

Teri goes to turn the recorder off...then has a thought, and speaks again into the recorder.

Teri: Not everyone tears down a house to change its use. Some events just tear down the people in it.

Teri turns off her recorder, pockets it, and leaves.
 
 

Scene 7:
 

This scene requires each person in the scene to be sitting at a chair with a phone. There will be spotlights on each person, as multiple people will be on the phone, talking in apparently helter-skelter fashion, and each time they talk, a spotlight on them illuminates, then, as needed, the lights go out. Brent is sitting at the desk. George is downstage left. Helen is downstage right. The Banker has a multi-line phone.

Helen calls the Title Officer.

Helen: Can you tell me if the title report is finished?

Brent calls the appraiser, Teri.

Brent: What's the status on the appraisal for the Shay transaction?

Title Officer: Ms. Shay, the report went out yesterday.

George calls the Banker.

George: Is this going to close on time?

Helen and Title Officer hang up. Helen calls George.

Helen: I'll call George.

Teri: You know, Brent, I can't talk to you.

Banker: We're waiting on the value and the report from the appraiser.

Helen: Hmm, busy.

Helen, George, and Banker hang up.

Brent: Yes you can...you can tell me when the appraisal is going out.

Helen calls the Banker.

Helen: Are we going to close in time?

Teri: If you'd get off the phone, I'll be able to finish this, and then you'd know.

Teri hangs up on Brent. George calls Helen.

George: I wonder if Helen knows anything.

Brent searches his desk.

Brent: Where did I put George's work number?

Brent finds George's number and dials.

Banker: As soon as the appraisal arrives, we can finish this.

George: Damn...busy. I'll call Brent.

Brent: Busy...it figures. I'll call Helen instead.

Helen and Banker hang up. Banker calls appraiser BUT the light DOES NOT SHINE on Teri. Helen calls Banker.

Banker: Perhaps Teri can tell me something.

Brent's phone: You have reached Peterson Realty. All of our agents...

Brent: Hmm. That's busy, too.

Brent hangs up and stands, then gets himself a cup of water. Helen get put on hold.

Helen: Yes, I'll wait.

George: Where is everybody? Goddamn it!!!

George slams down the phone.

Teri's phone: You have reached Teresa Chambers' Appraisal service. I have turned on my machine so I can get some work finished WITHOUT any disturbances. Leave a message...

Banker: To hell with this.

Banker punches a different line.

Banker: Hello?

George calls Brent.

Brent: Peterson Realty...

George interrupts, rather violently.

George: Where the HELL have you been?

Brent: I've been on the phone trying to save your deal...so it can close.

Helen: Can you tell me what's happening with my loan?

George: Sorry...sorry...I've been trying to figure out what's happening.

Banker: Helen, the appraiser's not answering her phone. Please, wait until we call you.

Brent: George, the bank's just waiting for the appraisal. I recommend you stay off the phone. Okay?

George: Okay. Bye.

Helen: I'll try. Bye.

All lights turn off, including the ones on George, Helen and Brent.

A brief moment passes, then the Banker gets on the phone to call Brent.

Banker: Brent, the appraisal arrived above the sales price. Please get the Shays here.

Brent: Okay, bye.

Banker hangs up. Brent dials up George. George is illuminated.

George: <shouting> Who the HELL is this and what THE HELL do you want?

Brent: It's me, George. The appraisal came in. They need you at the title company to close the loan. I'll call Helen. When it closes, I'll give you the keys so you can start moving in today. Bye.

Brent hangs up the phone. George disappears into darkness. Brent takes a deep breath, and tries to relax.
 

Scene 8:
 

Brent is back at his desk, just as it appeared in Scene 1.

Brent: Well, everyone's back to normal. The appraisal came in at nearly five thousand dollars over the sale's price, so the bank made the loan.

Brent stands and goes to the water dispenser and pulls a cup.

Brent: Helen and George did manage to have the entire family over for Christmas. I heard that they knocked out a chandelier when they set up their tree.

Brent fills the cup.

Brent: And when I called Jeffrey to thank him for the referral, I found he's living not far from here.

Brent drinks the cup, then wads it up and tosses, missing the waste basket. (Of course, on the offhand chance that it goes in, please ad-lib...)

Brent: Missed again

Brent returns to his desk, sitting exactly as he was first seen in Scene 1.

Brent: Did I really say this was my last sale?

Brent laughs heartily.

Brent: Well, maybe I should retire. But, God knows, I love this job...

Brent looks around the office, lovingly, and then gets his things, exits, locks the door, and leaves.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[BLACKOUT]