Carbon arcs spit white on brick
Sprocket teeth click thick and quick
Grease pencil marks the in-point frame
Alley smells like burning flame
Rain slicks the chrome on passing cabs
Counting steps like tally tabs
Footfall heavy footfall light
Exposing frames through the night
Focus pull on leather soles
Grind the grain in blackened holes
I run the reel I count the beat
Wet pavement tapping dirty feet
Silver screen on concrete wall
Watch the shadows rise and fall
Order up the night is done
Projector fading with the sun
Acetate curl in humid air
Regulars sprawl in plastic chair
Cyber-leg clicks steady time
Like a metronome in grime
Steam rises from the subway grate
Developing the reel of fate
Footfall heavy footfall light
Exposing frames through the night
Focus pull on leather soles
Grind the grain in blackened holes
I run the reel I count the beat
Wet pavement tapping dirty feet
Silver screen on concrete wall
Watch the shadows rise and fall
Order up the night is done
Projector fading with the sun
Ticket spindle spins a yarn
Girl in red walks past the barn
Pink sign hums overhead
Reading lines the actors said
No close ups here no dolly track
Just the rhythm hitting back
Rewind the take the gate is jammed
Someone screamed but sound is clamped
Scratch the emulsion bleed the red
Wake up sleeping in the shed
Splice the break and thread the gate
Show must run it won't wait
I run the reel I count the beat
Wet pavement tapping dirty feet
Silver screen on concrete wall
Watch the shadows rise and fall
Order up the night is done
Projector fading with the sun
Bulb blows out the screen goes white
Last footfall fades into the night
Clean the gate and oil the gear
Shift is over coast is clear
Coffee's cold but cup is full