Page 71

By Jack Joseph Smith

7 | Imow now that they were seperate-on the same level of distances Hurry up and get. the-introduction over with; I see myself im you standing: there -selling; Selling what? We-are already heres We have already paid, We have-no answers: and you: are creating the questions; Leave before-its to late for you and an old hag faints; There -is-no falling stars Those-are-electria lights and your color is ynclean with dirty blue shadows{ Your voice is ‘soreeching for a laugh, Alright I'1l gives you ones Ha-has How's thaté! You know -how it iss It stinksé’ At legst I tell: my eA. corners, Even beside~the sida, where you can hear its yellow laughter running away with your dreams: of smashing the mirror over your partiineds stone faces When the martinig-man would look at mey I would pick up my boy scout cocktail’ and my eyes-would wandériagound his face-over the roundness: of my red cherrys He-is looking away again and smiling nows I. wonder where his little boy aad I wonder where-Frost's mind is at bringing his kid here? The -dancing has: begur everyone-and you don't ever have~to moves The glass: is your friends let. it bring your mind to the stage-of beautiful womer and skinny mem as: they ourtsy on the brim of a nightclub: moon in orange and blue ‘for you and yours tonight in: the mystery of your joy that nd one knows: but we the doctors of the Witch who -has:all the Ate tarost No falling star to ree eae in the house of windléss- space; Let your contentment swim over: Me pikaaus hearts; for weare here to fill you with the worldj' No song is left uns,mgs Check pleases Yes sire’ Sorry to see you gos Come back again Please-don't let the mirror see me longs I have-a pallid grim within, Oh hopeless story I am caught between, watching a life I want to lead without fanfares! It).was-fum to watch the nart@nig maith: gaze:Pol Loiriig’the- SBaRg coated people leaving im the middle of the shows What a-démgmstratiom of individuality, shouted the nartinigh man to me through

Original Scan

Page 71

AI Interpretation

GPT

The nightclub's false stars, screeching stage voice, boy-scout cocktail, and departing coat-draped patrons leave the child caught between disgust, fascination, and a life he can see but does not want to inherit.

The page turns openly judgmental, breaking the room down as a place of fake light, forced laughter, and poisoned glamour. Even so, the child stays magnetized by the martini man and the show, which gives the whole scene its uneasy power.

Claude

The martini man selling from the stage becomes the book's archetype of the soured emcee, staring blindly at the vanquished man, and Michael drinks his boy-scout cocktail while wandering his eyes across the rounded cherry.