LETTER 22
The Practice Ball
A fictional letter from Management.
Written
Management’s first ball missed all nine skittles.
“That was practice,” we said.
“All right,” said the woman keeping score. “Say so before the next one.”
The others took their turns. We watched from beside the score sheet.
When our turn came round, she held her pencil above our name.
“Practice or game?”
“We haven’t thrown yet.”
“I know.”
We weighed the ball in our hand. The ground was uneven. There was a breeze.
“Practice,” we said.
The ball struck the front pin. All nine fell.
“Nine,” we said.
She did not write it down.
“We’re ready now.”
“Good. Put them back.”
We walked to the end of the lawn. Several had rolled into the border.
We stood all nine up again.
Management