Question

SHERIFF (unbuttoning his overcoat and stepping away from the stove as if to the beginning

of official business).
How does the use of the word "official" in this stage direction affect the mood of the scene?

Answer 1

• it makes the sheriff a more serious man. and this indicates that the sheriff isn't joking or playing around ...

Answer 2

It shows a serious undertone to laying out the scene. It helps the reader understand that the Sheriff isn't fooling around and that something important is starting.