The Lost Wallet, In a Shopping Mall

**Characters:**

SARAH: (30s) A busy shopper, a bit stressed.
MARK: (30s) Sarah's friend, calm and observant.
MR. HARRISON: (60s) A kind older gentleman.

**Setting:** A busy shopping mall. There's a bench, a couple of storefronts visible, and people walking by (implied).

(SCENE START)

(SARAH enters, juggling several shopping bags. She looks around, clearly searching for something. MARK walks up to her.)

MARK: Hey, Sarah! You look like you've lost your last nerve. Everything okay?

SARAH: (Sighs dramatically) Mark, no! Everything is definitely *not* okay. I'm having a nightmare.

MARK: What happened? Did the store run out of your size?

SARAH: Worse! Much, much worse. I can't find my wallet anywhere. I was just at the bookstore, and now it's gone! I've checked my bags three times.

MARK: Oh no! Are you sure? Did you leave it at the counter?

SARAH: I don't think so. I paid for my book, put it in my bag, and then walked over here. I was going to grab a coffee, but when I reached for my wallet… nothing. My credit cards, my ID, all my cash!

MARK: Okay, calm down. Let's retrace your steps. Where did you go after the bookstore?

SARAH: Just here. I sat on that bench (points) for a minute to check my phone.

(MARK walks over to the bench, looks around. He kneels down and spots something under it.)

MARK: Sarah, is this it?

(MARK pulls out a dark brown wallet. SARAH gasps.)

SARAH: Oh my goodness, yes! That's it! (She snatches it, opens it quickly, and looks inside.) Oh, thank goodness! Everything’s here. My cards, my ID… wait.

MARK: What is it?

SARAH: My cash. It's… gone. All of it. I had about fifty dollars.

MARK: Seriously? So someone found it and took the cash? That's really disappointing.

SARAH: I can't believe it! I'm so upset. How could someone just take it?

(MR. HARRISON slowly approaches the bench, looking a little nervous. He holds a crumpled fifty-dollar bill in his hand.)

MR. HARRISON: Excuse me. Are you… is this your wallet? I saw you leave it on the bench, and I picked it up. I was going to give it to the lost and found, but then…

(He holds out the fifty-dollar bill.)

MR. HARRISON: When I picked it up, this bill must have fallen out. It was stuck underneath. I just wanted to make sure you got it back.

(SARAH's eyes widen. She looks at the bill, then at Mark, then back at Mr. Harrison. She takes the bill, a blush creeping onto her face.)

SARAH: (Embarrassed) Oh! Oh, I am so sorry! I just assumed… I mean, thank you! Thank you so much, Mr.…

MR. HARRISON: Harrison. Just Mr. Harrison. It's no problem at all. Just glad you got everything back.

MARK: (Smiling) Thank you, Mr. Harrison. That was very kind of you. Sarah was a bit worried.

SARAH: (Still embarrassed) More than a bit! I'm so sorry for thinking the worst. You're a true lifesaver, Mr. Harrison. Can I… can I buy you a coffee? Or lunch?

MR. HARRISON: (Smiles kindly) No, no, that's really not necessary. Just be more careful with your things, dear. Enjoy your shopping!

(MR. HARRISON nods and walks away. SARAH looks at Mark, shaking her head.)

SARAH: (Muttering to herself) I feel terrible. I judged him so quickly.

MARK: (Pats her shoulder) Well, it's an easy mistake to make when you're stressed. But it's a good reminder, isn't it? Not everyone's out to cause trouble.

SARAH: You're right. Definitely a good reminder. Now, how about that coffee? My treat, of course.

MARK: Sounds great! And maybe we should sit at a table this time.

(They both chuckle and exit, heading towards a coffee shop.)

(SCENE END)

Vocabulary List

Click on each term to hear pronunciation!

Juggling
Handling multiple activities or items at once.
Example: "SARAH enters, **juggling** several shopping bags."
Stressed
Feeling worried or anxious.
Example: "A busy shopper, a bit **stressed**."
Dramatically
In a striking or impressive manner.
Example: "(Sighs **dramatically**) Mark, no!"
Nightmare
A very bad or frightening experience.
Example: "I'm having a **nightmare**."
Retrace
To go back over a path or sequence of events.
Example: "Let's **retrace** your steps."
Counter
A long flat-topped fixture in a store or bank, over which business is conducted.
Example: "Did you leave it at the **counter**?"
Grab
To take hold of suddenly or quickly.
Example: "I was going to **grab** a coffee..."
Reached for
Extended a hand to take or touch something.
Example: "...but when I **reached for** my wallet… nothing."
Seriously
In a serious way; also, used to express disbelief or surprise.
Example: "**Seriously**? So someone found it and took the cash?"
Disappointing
Failing to fulfill one's hopes or expectations.
Example: "That's really **disappointing**."
Upset
Unhappy, disappointed, or worried.
Example: "I'm so **upset**."
Approaches
Comes nearer to in distance or time.
Example: "(MR. HARRISON slowly **approaches** the bench...)"
Nervous
Easily agitated or alarmed; anxious.
Example: "...looking a little **nervous**."
Crumpled
Crushed or folded irregularly.
Example: "He holds a **crumpled** fifty-dollar bill in his hand."
Stuck
Unable to move or be moved.
Example: "It was **stuck** underneath."
Assumed
Supposed to be the case, without proof.
Example: "I just **assumed**…"
Embarrassed
Feeling awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.
Example: "**(Embarrassed)** Oh! Oh, I am so sorry!"
Lifesaver
A person or thing that helps someone in a difficult situation.
Example: "You're a true **lifesaver**, Mr. Harrison."
Judged
Formed an opinion or conclusion about.
Example: "I **judged** him so quickly."
Reminder
A thing that makes you remember something.
Example: "But it's a good **reminder**, isn't it?"
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