• STEVE: The general manager, in his 40s or 50s; he is immediately likeable – deep-voiced and authoritative, but possessing a calm, cool, hip sense of humor; thinks of Amanda like a daughter
• AMANDA: The young college-aged clerk, in her 20s; a friendly and charming music whiz who can banter with the best of them; sees Steve as a father-figure
• LEWIS: Another employee, in his 20s or 30s; he is smug, insufferable, and too intelligent for his own good; completely lacking in charm
• REGGIE: Extremely suspicious-looking young man in a light spring jacket
• *CUSTOMER #1: Gender flexible (but preferably female); an airhead
• *CUSTOMER #2: Gender flexible; a stoner, clearly not the brightest bulb in the box
• *CUSTOMER #3: Female; a vixen; probably a college student
• *CUSTOMER #4: Gender flexible; a shoplifter
• *CUSTOMER #5: Gender flexible; sent by fate…?

* If actor availability is a problem, 1 or 2 actors could portray all 5 customers using different clothes, voices and mannerisms. If you have an abundance of actors, you could always have a few extra non-speaking customers milling around the store during scenes 1 and 2, if desired. Just avoid having any extra customers during scene 3.

Our story takes place in a shop called Monster Records. There is a door labeled “Employees Only” on SR, and a door labeled “EXIT” on SL. Both are swinging doors with no handles. (For a simpler set, you can just use the wings instead of doors.) In the center is a counter, with access from either side. Hanging on the front of the counter are two signs; one says “Win a FREE Ride in a Police Car, Just By Shoplifting From This Store!” The other says, “Shoplifters: Next of Kin Will Be Notified,” with a picture of a rifle in the middle. A guitar is hanging on the wall, above a framed picture of a Van Halen album cover. There are music posters all over the walls, and at least one (and preferably more) rack of CDs for customers to browse. There is a window on the SR side, between the employee door and the counter.