Setting: A car dealership office. A desk with paperwork sits between the characters.
(The scene opens with MARCO, SOPHIA, and the DEALER in a small office. Marco looks nervous, but Sophia looks calm and confident. A price sheet for a used sedan is on the table.)
DEALER: Well, Marco, congratulations! This is a fantastic car. It’s got low **mileage** and a clean history. We’ve had a lot of interest in it.
MARCO: Thank you! I really like it. It seems perfect for me. The price on the sticker says $15,000. Is that... the final price?
DEALER: That's our **asking price**, yes. It's very competitive for a car in this condition. We did a full inspection and a complete service. We're offering a great value.
(Sophia leans forward and taps the price sheet with her finger.)
SOPHIA: We appreciate the work you’ve done on it. But we've also done our research. The **Blue Book value** for this model, year, and mileage is closer to $13,500.
DEALER: (Smiling smoothly) Ah, the Blue Book. It’s a good guide, but it doesn't account for our **meticulous** inspection or the recent service, which included a new timing belt. That's a huge expense you won't have to worry about.
MARCO: (Whispering to Sophia) What's a timing belt?
SOPHIA: (Whispering back) It's expensive. But he's using it as a **negotiation** tool. (To the Dealer) We understand that. However, we also noticed the front tires are quite worn, and we'll need to replace them soon. That's an added cost for us.
DEALER: You're a sharp negotiator, Sophia. Tell you what. We’ll meet you in the middle. How about we split the difference? We can come down to $14,500. It’s a fair price for everyone.
SOPHIA: That’s a good start. But we’d like to see if we can do better. What’s the absolute best price you can offer today? We're ready to buy, but we want to feel like we’re getting a great deal.
(The Dealer pauses, looking at Marco's nervous face and Sophia's determined one. He sighs and types something into his computer.)
DEALER: Okay. Let me talk to my manager. Give me one moment.
(The Dealer leaves the room. Marco turns to Sophia, his eyes wide.)
MARCO: Sophia! I can’t believe you did that! You just asked for a better price!
SOPHIA: Of course! It's expected. Never accept the first offer. This is all part of the negotiation. He will come back with a better price. We just have to be patient.
(The Dealer returns with a new piece of paper and a serious expression.)
DEALER: My manager agreed to a final offer, just for you. We can do $13,800. We can't go any lower than that. That’s our **bottom line**.
SOPHIA: (Smiling) That works for us. Thank you.
(Marco looks at Sophia, completely amazed. He can’t believe they saved so much money. He shakes the Dealer’s hand.)
MARCO: Thank you so much! I’m so excited!