Under This Roof

By Sahana Prabu

Posted on July 4, 2026

Cover Image Title: Unknown Future

Cover Image by: Chris L.

Classification: Photography

Specifications: Resized from 3024 x 4032 pixels

Year: 2025

Location: Ontario, Canada

Characters

PAIGE, (30s), a resilient woman who is rooted in her apartment building. Even if she’s gone through job losses and bad landlords, her loyalty and protectiveness run deep. 

KYLE, (20s), a quiet, observant, freckled delivery driver who lived in the same apartment building as a kid. Returning unexpectedly has stirred up memories he has tried to forget.

JAMES, (50s), a blunt and weary building manager who tries to play by the rules but is still conflicted. This man isn’t heartless: just tired.

MRS. KIM, (70s), a longtime tenant with a sharp tongue and a big heart.

Setting: The lobby of an aging apartment. The walls of this apartment are faded as if they are exhausted. In one corner of the lobby, there is a clunky radiator. There is a mail table to the side cluttered with lots of unread papers. Outside it is morning around 10 a.m. but there appears to be no sun outside. Instead, snow gently begins to drift.

Act 1, Scene 1

Lights up on… 

JAMES leans against the mail table, clipboard in hand, skimming through a stack of papers, squinting very often while shaking his head. The lobby door creaks open and PAIGE storms in loudly carrying a single grocery bag. Snow is stuck to her coat as she angrily walks over to where JAMES is standing. Even though JAMES has heard her, he chooses not to look up from his clipboard.

PAIGE

JAMES, can I have a word with you?

JAMES

As long as you remember that this wasn’t my doing.

(PAIGE shoots a glare aimed at JAMES.)

PAIGE

(Sarcastically)

Really JAMES? An eviction notice. You couldn’t even knock? 

JAMES

Paige, you are a month due. And your apartment is crumbling. What have you been doing?

PAIGE

I know how much I owe JAMES. I’ve been paying for five years. Don’t talk money to me. I also know I don’t need to remind you this apartment is crumbling on its own. How is it on me if the owner won’t maintain the building?

JAMES

Doesn’t matter to the owner; they see money. Besides, I heard you broke a cabinet and were quoted by the owner, “a crater in the wall”. 

PAIGE

I told you. It’s not my fault this apartment is as old as you.

(KYLE enters the lobby holding a food delivery bag.)

KYLE

Sorry to interrupt this conversation but I’m trying to get into 3C and no one is answering. Is there a way you can contact them?

JAMES

Give us a few minutes. The buzzers are busted. 

PAIGE

Like everything is in this building.

JAMES

We are trying Ms. Katz.

(PAIGE scoffs. KYLE watches them, shifting uncomfortably)

KYLE

Sounds like this place hasn’t changed much. Never does.

PAIGE

You from around here?

  KYLE

(trying to fake enthusiasm)

Yeah. Grew up here. I lived in 2A!

PAIGE

Well, it's good you moved.

KYLE

(softly)

Yeah. My mom died here. The kitchen cabinets in our apartment gave out and the whole thing came down on her. Happened pretty fast.

(JAMES glances up in surprise. A long pause. No one knows what to say to that. JAMES finally speaks.)

JAMES

I do remember that incident. I’m so sorry.

KYLE

Not your fault. Not really. 

PAIGE

I’m sorry for your loss, kid. I didn’t know.

KYLE

Didn’t expect you to. Lots of people don’t remember. I was just here to drop off the food.

(PAIGE studies KYLE for a moment and nods in understanding.

PAIGE

I get that, and trust me, it is worth remembering. 

(Door at the back of the lobby opens and MRS. KIM enters with a scowl and a piece of paper in her hands. Her eyes soften in amusement when she catches sight of PAIGE.)

PAIGE

(brightly)

Morning Mrs. Kim! You forgot your scarf at my place again. 

(PAIGE unwraps the scarf she had been wearing and wraps it gently around MRS. KIM’s shoulders.)

MRS. KIM

Bless your heart, Paige. You’re too good to me.

PAIGE

Not possible.

(Then MRS. KIM straightens and turns towards JAMES.)

MRS. KIM

(sternly)

Paige stays. Everyone on the floor has signed, some upstairs too.

(She extends the paper to JAMES, who looks up in surprise.)

PAIGE

(quietly)

They don’t want to be the next one to receive an eviction notice.

JAMES

(sighs)

Even if I take this to the owners. They wouldn’t care.

MRS. KIM

They don’t. But you should.

(A beat. JAMES reads the names on the petition. Something shifts in his expression. It isn’t a change but it is something.)

KYLE

This building… It doesn’t let go easily.

(Beat. The radiator murmurs softly. Snow can be seen falling outside the glass door.)

(PAIGE looks at KYLE, who is avoiding all the eyes. She then turns to JAMES.)

PAIGE

You said this was out of your hands, but if no one stands up for the people in this crumbling apartment, what's the point?

JAMES

I’ll talk to the owner. That’s all I can do right now.

MRS. KIM

Good. Start there.

KYLE

(To no one in particular.)

Well, I didn’t think I’d be back here again. I better get on with my delivery before it snows harder.

(KYLE heads to the lobby door but hesitates to open it.)

KYLE

(Without turning around)

Try not to let the cabinets fall on anyone else please.

(KYLE exits. The door clicks shut.)

PAIGE

If you’re gonna try… really try, JAMES. Please. You should probably start today.

(Lights dim as JAMES slowly nods, still holding the paper. A faint hum from the radiator. Quiet and steady.)

[ Writing Editor: Anonymous.  ]