THE BACKROOM MELTDOWN UNDER FLUORESCENT BUZZ, TESTING OUT HALF A DOZEN NEW PERSONALITIES YOU SWEAR YOU’LL WEAR TOMORROW; PAINTING YOUR FACE IN THE CAMERA REFLECTION UNTIL YOUR JAWLINE FADES AND REEMERGES AS SOMEONE ELSE’S; FILMING TIKTOK RANTS THAT BLUR YOU INTO A CARICATURE OF YOURSELF; SCREAMING INTO AN EMPTY KARAOKE BAR, NOT SURE IF THE VOICE YOU HEAR IS TRULY YOUR OWN; FORGING TEARS ON CUE JUST TO SEE HOW THEY TASTE; THRIFTING COSTUMES THAT REEK OF SOMEONE ELSE’S SECRETS AND LOVING THE WAY THEY FIT; BURNING OFF THE PARTS OF YOU THAT FEEL OFF-SCRIPT, THEN SIFTING THROUGH GLITTER AND ASH TO FIGURE OUT WHAT REMAINS; BOWING TO AN AUDIENCE OF SHADOWS, WONDERING IF THE REAL ARTISTRY LIES IN THE ARTIFICE—OR IF THE PERFORMANCE IS ALL WE’VE EVER BEEN.