the set

upstage center
layer on layer of red brick
one door with screens
three steps in faux cement
bay windows on either side

action stage right
a young girl dances in rain
wearing a fake leopard-skin
     leotard

action stage left
a man builds a garage
from a cardboard box
     plan
wooden boards the
     color of brick

action center stage
a young boy aged ten
     poses proudly in
     cub scout uniform
a woman snaps a pic

downstage center
a man plants a tree
     near the road
he waters the tree
he mows the lawn

stage left
a 1950 Olds cutout
     sits in the driveway

in the pit
the concrete street
     has no sidewalk
a woman rides a bike
     pedaling in rhythm
she waves at the
     neighbors

the boy grows up
this is his fake house
they are his fake family
he waits for his
     curtain call