{"sf1_id":722031,"sf2_id":"V1YXMxvn","title":"An Actor's Mantra","author":"alexlongfur","words":169,"posted_at":"2014-06-24T22:32:00.000Z","tags":["Ferret","Mantra"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/722031-an-actor-s-mantra","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/V1YXMxvn","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/e5/2a/e52af8fb-00d5-46da-8143-239bd720d859","description":"","content":"Well, I'm not sure if what I'm using is public domain or copyrighted, but there's a little articulation/alliteration that my acting teacher taught my class a few years back...\n\n* * *\n\nAlex Longfur gathered up his juggling clubs backstage a few minutes before his scheduled time. The ferret was slightly nervous, as he always was before a performance. He noticed his hands were shaking badly from the adrenaline coursing through him. \"Jeez man, every friggin' time!\" He set his clubs down and pondered for a second. \"What if... Oh, maybe a mantra will help?\" He slowed his breathing a little then began:\n\n\"To sit in solemn silence\n\non a dull, dark dock.\n\nIn a pestilential prison\n\nwith a life-long lock.\n\nAwaiting the sensation\u0026nbsp;\n\nof a short, sharp shock,\n\nfrom a cheep and chippy chopper\u0026nbsp;\n\non a big, black block.\"\n\nIt worked, and the ferret strolled out onto the stage to an upbeat song, his clubs arcing through the air in intricate patterns.\u0026nbsp;\n\n* * *\n\nWell, yeah, ta-da.\u0026nbsp;\n\n  \n  \n\n"}