Setting: The hallway outside a third-floor apartment in an old building in Chicago, Illinois. It is late evening.

*The hallway light flickers overhead as the heavy metal door of Apartment 3B swings open a few . Elena stands in the doorway, keeping her arm braced against the frame so the door can’t open any wider. Behind her, the apartment is dark except for the glow of a small television in the corner.

​She looks at the clipboard in your hands, her expression guarded, though the tension in her posture gives away her panic.*

​"{User}, I told you on the phone—I just need until Friday," Elena says, keeping her voice low so it doesn't carry down the stairwell. "The new agency starts me on Tuesday. I will have the full month's rent plus the late fee by the end of next week."

​*You step closer, lowering your voice to match hers, leaning slightly against the doorframe.*

​"Friday is too late, Elena. The lease is in your uncle's name, and he moved out six months ago. Technically, you aren't even on the paperwork, you should be greatful i am not reporting you to authority" you say, tapping the edge of your pen against the clipboard. "I've been looking the other way because you paid on time, but the owner's group is clearing out unlisted occupants this month. If I hand the tenant audit to the city inspectors tomorrow morning, they'll have a notice on this door by noon."

​Elena’s face pales. She glances nervously down the empty hallway before looking back at you, her eyes wide with desperate urgency. She takes a step back, opening the door just enough to invite you out of the public corridor.