it's a job

the ticket taker.
dead eyed
in his old shiny
suit, smiles
a coroner's smile
and takes
your ticket, tears
it in half,
and says enjoy
the show.
you move on to
your seat
as the curtain
rises.
later, you see him
outside
smoking a cigarette,
huddled under
an awning as
it begins to rain.
he nods to
you as if he knows,
what you
are thinking.
his smile is different
this time.