there's a guy who sits at the same cafe as me every sunday and he always orders in this very specific way — like he rehearsed it in the mirror. trois mots. perfect pause. then he stares at the waiter like he's waiting for applause. and i caught myself doing the exact same thing once and i've never felt more seen and attacked by a stranger in my life. we are all just performing being good at things in front of people who do not care.