Coffee Machine Diplomacy
By S. Park

Office kitchenette, late morning.

ELLA: The machine has rejected my cup.

PRIYA: It has standards.

ELLA: It is a vending machine with a blinking light.

PRIYA: And yet it knows.

ELLA: I put money in.

PRIYA: Did you ask politely?

ELLA: I pressed espresso with conviction.

PRIYA: Conviction is not manners.

(The machine beeps twice.)

ELLA: It has taken my pound.

PRIYA: Then negotiations have failed.

ELLA: I am declaring a break room incident.

PRIYA: I'll get the form.
