None of Our Business

Written by Enda Walsh for the film Small Things Like These, this intense dramatic duologue features married couple Furlong and Eileen in their forties. Furlong raises concerns about the suffering and mistreatment of girls at a local convent, while Eileen firmly argues that they must turn a blind eye to safeguard their own household. It is a tight, morally charged confrontation centered on complicity, self-preservation, and conscience.

Furlong is a sensitive, working-class everyman burdened by a growing awareness of local injustice and his own moral obligations. He connects the plight of the mistreated girls to his own upbringing and personal history, making silence impossible to endure. In contrast, Eileen represents practical survival and maternal vigilance, determined to protect their family's security above all else. Her pragmatic stance stems not from malice, but from a fierce commitment to stay on the right side of authority and shield her loved ones.

This scene provides exceptional dramatic tension without requiring explosive melodrama, relying instead on subtext, shared history, and deep philosophical opposition. It challenges actors to navigate a complex marital dynamic where both characters hold understandable, deeply rooted positions. The dialogue is brisk, urgent, and emotionally layered, giving performers an ideal showcase for quiet restraint and active listening.

This two-minute scene is well suited for actors in their thirties and forties auditioning for drama schools, agent showcases, or general casting practice. It is particularly effective for self-tapes requiring grounded, working-class casting types, everyman personas, or vulnerable parental roles.

Avoid playing Eileen as purely cold-hearted or Furlong as merely righteous, as their conflict comes from deeply personal stakes and profound fear. Focus closely on the pauses and sudden shifts in tone, allowing the shared history of their marriage to color every silence. Keep the vocal delivery quiet and intimate, trusting that the internal stakes and social pressures will carry the dramatic weight across the lens.