Leah and Abby discuss the performative nature of their scholarship at an elite boarding school while a well-meaning but overbearing peer, Mabel, attempts to offer her support. As Leah prepares to challenge the school's administration over a controversial portrait, Abby warns her about the futility of activism within a system designed to treat them as tokens.
MABEL: Leah!
ABBY: Don’t you knock?!
MABEL: I just wanted to say how disgusted I was with the photo. It was completely out of order!
LEAH: ...Thanks, Mabel.
MABEL: I heard you want to get the portrait taken down? Well I’m right behind you. Whatever you need, I’ll be a bloody arsenal behind you.
Create a free account to explore more
Upgrade to Pro for full access — £6.99/month
Director's Notes
Want expert coaching on this scene?
Browse our curated list of acting coaches, dialect specialists, and more.
Need representation?
Browse verified agents and casting directors in our directory.
How well does this scene match you?
Save your casting profile to see match scores on every scene.
Try Headshot AnalyserGo Pro
£6.99/mo
- ✓ Unlimited scene reading
- ✓ PDF downloads
- ✓ Director's Notes
- ✓ Headshot Analyser
- ✓ Cover Letter Generator
- ✓ Practice Mode
- ✓ Agent Connect
- + 1,000+ scenes
More from Boarders
Leah's Stand Against the Portrait
from Boarders
Leah confronts the headmaster of an elite boarding school regarding an offensive historical portrait of the school's founder. She challenges the institution's traditions and the headmaster's dismissive attitude toward the concerns of the new scholarship students.
Toby's Entrepreneurial Spirit
from Boarders
Jaheim, feeling isolated at his new elite boarding school, connects with his friends back home before being interrupted by Toby. Toby attempts to sell trainers to his classmates to send money home, and the two boys bond over their shared outsider status while Toby convinces Jaheim to attend a school social event.
The Headmaster's Office — Personal Statement
from Boarders
Jaheim, a scholarship student at an elite boarding school, is reprimanded by the Headmaster following a confrontation. The Headmaster forces Jaheim to read his own scholarship application essay aloud to remind him of the stakes of his placement and the family he is representing.
Similar Scenes
Act II — Waiting for Godot
from Waiting for Godot
Vladimir and Estragon continue their endless wait for the mysterious Godot. Vladimir experiences a moment of profound existential crisis before being interrupted by a Boy who delivers a message that Godot will not be coming today.
Rachel's Negotiation: The Dog for the Baby
from Marty Supreme
Rachel attempts to extort a reward from a dog owner after finding his pet, using her pregnancy as emotional leverage. While her boyfriend Marty pressures her to get the money, the negotiation takes a surreal and aggressive turn as Rachel compares the dog's value to that of a human life.
Isabel and Pilar's Talk
from Love, Victor
A mother catches her teenage daughter attempting to send an inappropriate photo to her long-distance boyfriend. The confrontation shifts from a disciplinary moment to a vulnerable conversation about self-worth and the difficulty of letting go as a parent.
Bella Discover Happy
from Poor Things
Bella enthusiastically shares her discovery of sexual pleasure with the household staff and Max, unaware of social taboos. Her objective is to spread joy through her new discovery, while Max and Mrs. Prim struggle with the intense awkwardness and societal boundaries she is breaking.