A Tap Behind the Window

Complete silence, then—a spark! My fingers actually twitched. I loosened my stiff grip on the skull cane, testing the weight in my palm. Marvellous balance. Leaning slightly forward within my narrow cardboard stage, I raised the silver-topped tip and gave the transparent plastic window in front of me a sharp, theatrical tap. *Tink!* The echo was crisp, dramatic, utterly delicious. I am not merely on display; the curtain has officially risen.