1913issue6online

155 Stage #1 Sound of dial-up internet connection from the nineties, drawn out, slowed down if possible. Sound of old computer monitor’s turning-on flicker. Blue-white stage lights illuminate face and torso of Man Approximately twenty-two years old. Preferably with stubble, long brown hair. Preferably with Hiersein ist herrlich tattooed on inner right bicep, Mucha covering right side of torso. Birthmark on upper right butt-cheek. Naked. Seated. Center- stage. Stares. Blue-white stage lights carefully expand: illuminate Man’s shoulders (narrow), hips (wide), hairy thighs (unmuscular), upper arms (of a farmer’s), knees (knobby), calves (as if fleeing), forearms (back, hairy; underside, scarred). A drop of clear liquid – water, preferably – drops onto Man‘s thigh. Doesn’t notice. If audience looks close enough, Man can be seen searching. Eyes only. He pulls a pale strawberry, preferably not yet ripe, out from the space in front of him. Examines it. Man bites into strawberry. Chews slowly. Thinks about spitting it out. Searching eyes. Swallows. Yes, the birds. He swallows. The strawberry youthenizes as it slides down esophagus: face relaxes, stubble shrinks and falls away, nipple rings and tattoos disappear, fat fills in the spaces between ribs and over hips, pubic hair partially removes itself, flesh becomes paler, hair shorter. Becomes generally shorter.

1913issue6online

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