I Pose

A thin, unremarkable gardener lives in a cramped boarding‑house on Penny Street, where his days are marked by quiet routines and a self‑conscious belief that he is somehow a pillar of the world. The narrative unfolds in a dry, whimsical voice that treats his ordinary existence as both absurd and oddly profound, inviting listeners to linger on the minutiae of his thoughts and surroundings. Through his meticulous description—white wooden face, black hair like a wet seal’s back—the story paints a portrait of a man caught between the mundane and the philosophical.

When a broken boot‑lace threatens his fragile dignity, the unexpected arrival of a girl named Courtesy sparks a brief, absurd encounter that reveals the gardener’s hidden insecurities and his yearning for validation. Their brief exchange, laced with deadpan humor, sets him on a subtle journey of self‑examination, as he grapples with notions of love, usefulness, and the countless “poses” he adopts to make sense of his world. The opening act hints at a deeper exploration of identity, leaving the listener eager to follow his wandering thoughts.