300 word story stage 1

300 words
The Writers’ Forum brief said – write 300 words only two characters, maybe three, starting with – Leah glances anxiously around the waiting room. Everyone looks so calm…’
The first issue was – where is the waiting room? I made a list
1. At the doctors? Obvious and with more characters than two. If Leah is looking round I would need to describe each character. It’s more an episode in a longer story, even a novel. Maybe Welcome to Oakhaven, or Best in Show at Cairndhu.
2. In the hospital? Not quite the same as the doctor’s. Leah could be the doctor and having to deliver news of a relative. The relatives have a leader so one on one. Leah’s problem is that the patient has told her not to tell the relatives he/she is going to die.
3. At the lawyers? How to get just two? It’s a will reading and Leah has a confrontation with a relative. The incident could be short but there is hardly room for character development. Not crisp enough. It needs more than 300 words because there will be backstory to cover.
4. At court? Again we have several people. Why are they all there. How do I cut it down to one on one? Again it is a spokesman against Leah. Another episode for a longer story.
5. The theatrical agency? That would work. Leah goes in and does her audition and gets the part or doesn’t. does it need back story for her to share elation or disappointment? Not necessarily.
6. Dentists? The same problems ass the doctor.
7. School? It has the same advantages as the theatrical agency. Leah could be a mother, or a prospective pupil. The pupil would be good and could have social prejudice involved.
8. The Palace? Possible. Leah is there for an award. The others are calm but Leah is nervous and that isolates her. This could be good. It would compare Leah’s feelings with those of the others apparently but the end would be someone drops something and Leah realizes they are all nervous.
9. A remote airport in Australia, Canada, or Africa. Leah is the pilot and knows the weather is bad. One of the passengers insists on taking off. Why? To visit a dying relative, or for an important interview or business meeting. This has the benefit of taking it out of what others will have used as a plot. Can it work? Let it go to the next step.

All right, let’s investigate 2, 5, 7, 8, 9
How hard is it to tell a tale in 300 words? This is already over 400 and I’m just thinking it over!