

My high cheekbones, large slanting eyes, wide mouth, small chin, and rounded jaw have been restrung in base, powder, eyeliner, lipstick, eyebrow pencil. My face, in the makeup I have just applied, is a success.

I remember always being tempted then to do what I have just done now, and always stopping, always thinking I would do it later. I did fake mustaches and eyelashes then, bruises, wounds, tattoos. In high school I learned to do makeup for theater. My face glows back at me from the light of twelve 100-watt bulbs. I am in my friend John’s bathroom, alone in front of the mirror, wearing a black turtleneck and leggings. Mirrored discoball, wig, diameter: 40 cm.
