#91: The Big Scene

Edgar runs through his lines for months.
He videotapes himself

pacing and gesticulating
in the living room. He writes

notes on each performance. When he's pleased,
a simple 'good' and the time pencilled

into the margin. When he believes
some intonation or off-guard pose

falls below par, whole rows of 'NO!
NO! NO! NO! NO!' underscored, then

white hot screeds, castigating
his ineptitude. 'Sometimes

I think you don't want
to be Captain Hook,' he writes,

pressing so hard
the lead snaps.