Manager: Daniel, do you have a minute? A laptop charger has gone missing from the storage room. You were the last person there yesterday.
Daniel: I was checking the returned equipment, yes.
Manager: And you left with your backpack. I’m sure you understand why I need to ask.
Daniel: I understand why you’re asking. I don’t understand why you’ve already decided what happened.
Manager: I haven’t decided anything. I’m giving you a chance to explain before I take this further.
Daniel: Then check the sign-out sheet. I returned the charger I borrowed last week. It’s right there, under my name.
Manager: That’s a different charger. The missing one was new.
Daniel: I know. I unpacked it yesterday because the box was damaged. I put it on the top shelf.
Manager: Nobody mentioned that.
Daniel: I told Lisa, but she was dealing with a delivery. I should have written it down, too. That part is on me.
Manager: So you handled equipment without recording it?
Daniel: I handled the box. I didn’t take the charger. Those are two different things.
Manager: Your backpack was unusually full when you left.
Daniel: Because I was carrying my own charger, my lunch, and the safety shoes you asked us to take home for tomorrow’s inspection.
Manager: Right. I’d forgotten about the shoes.
Daniel: I’m not asking you to take my word for it. Check the camera by the loading door. I stopped there to help the courier move a heavy box. If the charger was in my bag, you should be able to see it.
Manager: I’ll check. And Daniel, if I’ve misunderstood—
Daniel: Just make sure the record shows what actually happened.
Fiction note: All people, workplaces, events, and dialogue in this text are fictional.