The Cut

The explanatory phrase screamed when the red pen cut it from the page.

She thoughts followed. One. Two.

A line of dialogue went next.

“All writers are fools,” he said.

“We pay you.”

“That is why you are fools.”

He shakes the pen. Discards it. Takes out another.

“Learn craft. Not vibes.”

“I am.”

“Not good enough.”

He stands.

“You say you do not need me. I will see you in a week.”