For Lack of Supporting Character

The protagonist takes the stage alone.
There are no furnishings. There are no props.

The protagonist hesitates, glancing
Around the bare boards, ignoring the dark

Beyond the cone of light, despite rustling
Of clothes and playbills, despite muttering.

So, the protagonist is pretending
To actually be alone. Is that it?

Are we to believe the protagonist
Has no idea we’re all crowded in here,

Politely breathing each other’s odors,
Trying to keep quiet, as if we could

Accidentally give ourselves away
And scare the hell out of the pretender?