You Were Never Really Here

by Jonathan Ames

He was a big, loose man gone to seed.

They were dangerous boxes in every way—coffins with cameras and only one way out.

Also, a hammer left very little evidence, was excellent in close quarters, and seemed to frighten everyone.

A hammer doesn’t ask why it strikes.

Joe knew that all human beings are

the star of their own very important film, a film in which they are both camera and actor; a film in which they are always playing the fearful and lonely hero who gets up each day hoping to finally strike upon the life they are meant to lead, though they never do.