73: Not to tear the skin in mourning

The Book of Knowledge
Laws of Idolatry and Paganism
Not to tear the skin in mourning (Deut. 14:1)

            a HAND MODEL lays her hands on a crystal table

            her fingers are adorned with shimmering expensive rings

            the PHOTOGRAPHER peers at her hands through her camera

            projected behind the performers is video of the camera’s POV

            the HAND MODEL’s hands loom large over the stage

PHOTOGRAPHER
hold still
            snap a pic
hold still
            snaps a pic
hold still

            the HAND MODEL picks at her cuticles

            the PHOTOGRAPHER swats at her

HAND MODEL
i’m sorry

PHOTOGRAPHER
you’ve the loveliest hands in the business

HAND MODEL
i know

PHOTOGRAPHER
they’re your primary asset

HAND MODEL
so they say

PHOTOGRAPHER
don’t damage them

HAND MODEL
i’m not trying to

            HAND MODEL picks at her cuticles at again

PHOTOGRAPHER
there you go again

HAND MODEL
he was just so young
            beat
he was just so young
            she wells up
he was just so young

            tears fall from her eyes to her hands

            on the projected  they fall like a rainstorm

PHOTOGRAPHER
i know
but
even still
we have to make a living
don’t we?
            beat
            HAND MODEL nods
            PHOTOGRAPHER begins shooting again
hold still
            snaps a pic
hold still

            snaps a pic

            HAND MODEL picks at her cuticles again

            PHOTOGRAPHER looks up with annoyance

HAND MODEL
at night i hear him howling
the canyons ring with his anguish

PHOTOGRAPHER
it’s not him

HAND MODEL
that’s not for you to deiced

            HAND MODEL pulls too hard at a cuticle

            blood pools out

            HAND MODEL begins to pull her hands away to clean up the blood

            but the PHOTOGRAPHER stops her

PHOTOGRAPHER
no
hold still
            snaps a pic of the bloody cuticle
hold still

HAND MODEL
i can’t

            END OF PLAY