Precinct Polling Booth

Curtained stalls line the precinct floor, voters huddling inside to mark ballots on clipboards or podiums, pencils scratching erratically as confusion mounts—over-marked ovals threaten invalidation. Josh thrusts his head through curtains, voice sharp with urgency, corralling the stream while sweat beads on his brow; the black man, beggarly woman, and others emerge clutching flawed sheets until the woman in red coat outs the actors, collapsing the farce.