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I HAVE SOME INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOU—
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#1: WHEN SETTING THE SCENE

Below you is the area of concern. For example, a charcoal line demarcates the scene from the not-scene in a strict rectangle, which encompasses, among other things, tools, digits, and signs. These have been wedged into the sand so they cannot roll out of frame. From up here, the objects appear stunted, flattened, nominal, but you note their shadows which tell of their comparable heights.

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#2: USING TOOLS

You take the knife and tear along the top of the envelope, careful not to rip the layers within. You place the knife on the table so it balances on its quillons.

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#3: DIGITS

You slide your forefinger, and then your middle finger, into the envelope to pull out the contents. You place the empty envelope on the table and then place the contents next to it.

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#4: THE SIGNS

Each time you have a question, you mark an asterisk in the margin. For this you use a thin, pale pencil that on occasion pierces through the paper, and into the sand beneath. Around these little holes are creases, like the reach of stars. You think, that’s nice.

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USE THESE WHEN YOU WRITE.

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