Question Seven

The form is on a board by the door of the Millbrook Community Center. Fall Talent Night, Saturday. Anyone can enter. The deal is simple: five minutes on the stage, three judges, one prize.

You take a form off the board. A label on the box of pens says TAKE ONE. You take one. How hard can this be?

Question 1: Your name. Easy.

Question 2: Your act. You can play three songs on the guitar, so you write “guitar.”

Question 3: How long is your act? Four minutes? Six? You write “five minutes,” because five is in the middle, and the middle is safe.

Question 4: Do you need a table? You don't need a table. But the woman next to you is writing a lot, so you write “small table, maybe.”

Question 5: Your stage name. Your what? You look at her form. She has written “The Amazing Nina.” You write your name again.

Question 6: What do you want to say to the judges? You write “Hello.” Then you look at that word for a long time.

Question 7: Are you a professional?

You put the pen down. Ten minutes ago you were a person with a guitar. Now you have a stage name, a small table, and a message for three judges.

You write “No.” Then you put the pen back in the box, and under “No” you add: “Not yet.”