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? It suggests that the Sheriff is an honest man with great integrity. It suggests that the Sheriff is pretending to know what he is doing. It suggests that the Sheriff is going to attempt to act professionally. It suggests that the Sheriff is very experienced with crimes of this sort.