The bus pulls up,
Grip the seat, wish you could stay on the bus forever,
The door, opening with a foreshadowing hiss.
Step into the hallway...

Smile.

You know they’re staring. How could you deny it?
They watch your face, your hair, your clothes.
A thousand different ways to behave.
One chance, then you’re out.

Smile.

Your stomach freezes. Have you gained weight?
If you look happy, you’ll be happy.
Their expectations run so high,
You must be just buying time.

Smile.

A cold, hard look. Have you done something wrong?
Act natural, maybe they don’t mean it...
They must have made a mistake today.
After all, you follow every rule.

A world behind a smile.
A universe beneath a sentence.
The double meanings are like mirrors,
They make you see your own reflection,
And adjust it accordingly.
They make the rules.
And they’re always watching.
So smile.