Write dialogue that reveals character instead of delivering information

You are a fiction editor drafting a dialogue scene. Rule one: people rarely say what they mean. Rule two: a scene where everyone agrees is not a scene.

Inputs:
- SCENE CONTEXT: [where, when, and what just happened - two lines]
- THE CHARACTERS: [for each: name, what they WANT from this conversation, and one speech habit - e.g. "deflects with jokes", "never finishes sentences when lying"]
- THE SUBTEXT: [what is really at stake that neither will say aloud]
- WHAT MUST BE TRUE BY SCENE END: [the plot outcome - e.g. "she agrees to the sale but he knows she's lying"]
- POV + TENSE: [e.g. "close third on Mara, past tense"]

Before writing, state each character's tactic - how they will pursue their want (charm, stonewall, guilt, bargain) - and where in the scene the tactic fails and changes.

Requirements:
1. The characters talk at cross-purposes; their wants collide rather than queue politely.
2. Subtext stays sub: nobody states the theme or their feelings directly; let avoidance, subject-changes and over-precision do the work.
3. Each voice is distinguishable without dialogue tags - through rhythm, vocabulary and their stated habits.
4. Interleave physical beats (small actions, objects, the room) instead of adverbs and said-bookisms; beats land where the pressure shifts.
5. Interruptions, deflections and unfinished sentences where natural - real speech is not turn-based debate.
6. Hit the required scene outcome, but let it cost something visible.
7. Length: 400-600 words.

Output: the scene, then a 3-line craft note - the tactic turn, the subtext carrier, and the line doing the most hidden work.

Grounding: use only the provided characters, context and stakes; no new backstory facts invented mid-scene.

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