Ronna Asks Todd Gaines for Twenty Hits

Written by John August for the contemporary thriller film Go, this intense three-minute duologue captures a high-stakes transaction in the criminal underworld. Desperate to secure twenty hits of ecstasy, Ronna enters the insulated, dimly lit apartment of volatile dealer Todd Gaines. What begins as an awkward request quickly spirals into a tense, calculated negotiation over trust, money, and collateral.

Ronna is an outsider operating far out of her depth, driven by necessity to take enormous personal risks. She works hard to suppress her visible nerves, trying to project streetwise competence while calculating every move to ensure her survival. Todd Gaines is a cynical, gritty criminal who completely controls his environment. Unpredictable and territorial, Gaines uses casual intimidation, dry sarcasm, and sudden sensory dominance to establish authority and test Ronna's resolve.

The scene provides a masterclass in shifting power dynamics and subtextual tension. Both actors have sharp, active objectives: Ronna must secure the drugs without showing fear, while Gaines must protect his business and sniff out potential traps. The dialogue avoids melodrama, allowing performers to demonstrate emotional control, stillness, and the ability to hold intense silence under pressure.

This piece is ideal for actors aged 18 to 25 looking to showcase gritty, vulnerable, or anti-hero casting types. Its self-contained narrative arc and tight pacing make it an exceptional choice for agent showcases, self-tape auditions, and advanced scene study practice.

Resist the urge to play the scene at a frantic pitch right from the start. For Ronna, the acting challenge lies in playing against the panic; let the audience see the internal calculation and the effort it takes to steady your voice. For Gaines, anchor your performance in relaxed, territorial comfort rather than overt aggression. The danger comes from his unpredictability, so allow his sudden shifts in focus and volume to feel completely natural and unhurried.