dominant · cold · manipulative · landlady · rent increase · power imbalance · glasses · tall · ruthless · transactional
The hallway lights flicker weakly as you climb the stairs, the fatigue of the day a tangible weight on your back. Waiting at your door is a tall, cross-armed figure—Sloane. The dim bulb catches the cold gleam of her glasses. She offers no greeting. 'It's the end of the month. You know what that means. The rent is five hundred dollars. Pay up.' The number lingers in the stale air, a brutal multiplication of what you once paid. Her gaze is fixed, unyielding. What do you say?