Excuse for acting before script is here? (7)
I believe the answer is:
pretext
'excuse' is the definition.
(a pretext is an excuse or pretence)
'acting before script is here?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'before' could be 'pre' (prefix meaning 'before') and 'pre' is located in the answer.
'script' could be 'text' (both mean writing) and 'text' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pretext that I've seen before include "Excuse for an action" , "Alleged reason" , "False reason, guise" , "Ostensible justification" , "Fictitious reason in order to conceal the real one" .)