Definitions

The Master

king of the corridors
leader of the manuscripts
the head of the conscripted house
answers to whoever's left
in the chain of command
Himself



Mistress

Gripped in porcelain awe
she sidles down the stairs
guided by the dimmed chandelier
to the heel of the hallway
where she can hear them all
rattle on
about him
about them
about the bigger problem
about the secret at large.
Softly she dials up the light
and the talk turns to
digestible fare
as the night brightens up
in drawn panelng.