Extras

In some stories, there are extras in the scene

People on the side who flicker in and out

There to fill out the background of the screen

Doing there own thing, just walking about

If they're good extras, they react to events

Show the opportunity or danger of a situation

Acting without any sort of pretence

To allow you time for pause and hesitation

But here's the thing, life doesn't work like that

In real life, the rules of the screen fall flat

People don't behave in the way their supposed to

Of course, that rule is true for you too

So take a second and recognise the extras in your story

And think to yourself "they are not there for me"

They've got their own hopes and ambitions and dreams

That cause them to react with their cheers or screams

So make sure you acknowledge them as the people they are

Even if your interaction is brief and doesn't take you far

Maybe they'll become a more major character to you

And realise that you are not just an extra in their story too.