What Goes Around (short play)


Act 1: The Greedy Landlord


Scene 1: The Landlord's Office


(Landlord, played by Mr. Thompson, is sitting behind his desk, counting money. Tenant 1, played by Ms. Davis, enters.)


Tenant 1: Mr. Thompson, we need to talk about the rent increase you sent us.


Landlord: (smirking) Ah, yes. Another minor adjustment. The cost of living has gone up, you know.


Tenant 1: But this is the third increase this year! It's becoming impossible for us to keep up.


Landlord: (dismissive) That's not my concern. Pay up or leave.


Tenant 1: Don't you care about the well-being of your tenants? We've been living here for years, and now you're squeezing every penny out of us.


Landlord: (laughs) Business is business, my dear. If you can't afford it, find somewhere cheaper.


Scene 2: The Stable


(Tenant 2, played by Mr. Ramirez, is having a conversation with the Stable Owner, played by Mrs. Lewis.)


Tenant 2: The landlord keeps raising the rent, and we're struggling to make ends meet.


Stable Owner: I understand your predicament. Running a stable is costly too, but I love horses and want to share that passion with others. However, if your landlord raises the rent again, I'll have no choice but to raise the horseback riding lesson rates by 300 percent.


Tenant 2: That would hurt his wallet, wouldn't it?


Stable Owner: It would certainly make him think twice about his greed. Maybe then he'll realize the consequences of his actions.


Act 2: The Domino Effect


Scene 1: The Dentist's Office


(Landlord is sitting in the dentist's chair, and the Dentist, played by Dr. Smith, is examining him.)


Dentist: You know, Mr. Thompson, one of my patients is your tenant. He mentioned the increasing rent and how it's affecting him. If you continue raising rents, he won't be able to afford his dental implant. I might have to charge you double for yours.

Landlord: (shocked) But, that's greedy!


Dentist: Perhaps it is. Greed has a way of coming back around, doesn't it? It's important to consider how our actions impact others.


Scene 2: The Pharmaceutical Company


(Landlord meets with the Owner of the Pharmaceutical Company, played by Mr. Johnson.)


Landlord: I'm considering raising rents again. It's just business.


Pharmaceutical Owner: I understand the need for profit, Mr. Thompson. But let me remind you that one of your tenants is a dear friend of mine. If you raise rents, the cost of your niece's life-saving medicine will triple. Is that the legacy you want to leave behind?


Landlord: (alarmed) But, that's greedy!


Pharmaceutical Owner: Think about the impact on individuals and families who rely on these medicines. Sometimes, it takes personal connections to understand the consequences of our actions.


Act 3: The Awakening


Scene 1: The Landlord's Office


(The Landlord is sitting at his desk, deep in thought. Tenant 1 enters with a group of tenants, including Tenant 2.)

Tenant 1: Mr. Thompson, we've come together as tenants to address your constant rent increases.

Landlord: (hesitant) What is it that you want?


Tenant 2: Fair treatment, Mr. Thompson. We can't afford to keep paying more while struggling to survive.


Tenant 3: We have families, dreams, and responsibilities. Your greed is making it impossible for us to live with dignity.


Scene 2: The Resolution


(The tenants present their case, highlighting the connections they have with the Stable Owner, the Dentist, and the Pharmaceutical Owner.)


Tenant 1: We've learned that greed has consequences, Mr. Thompson. Just as you call others greedy, your actions have a ripple effect on people's lives.


Landlord: (reflective) I never thought about it that way. I was only focused on maximizing profits.


Tenant 2: Profit doesn't have to come at the expense of others. We propose a fair compromise, where rent increases are reasonable and won't burden us unfairly.


(Landlord contemplates the consequences of his actions and finally agrees to negotiate new lease terms with the tenants.)


Scene 3: The New Agreement


(Landlord and tenants sit around a table, discussing the revised lease terms.)


Landlord: I've decided to reconsider my approach. Let's find a solution that works for all of us. Greed shouldn't dictate our actions; empathy and fairness should.



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