THAT WHICH GOES UNSAID...

He knew the story by heart and so did the audience. Every time he would whet his knife, audience would cuss him silently. And yet, Antonio would not lose his pound of flesh. His wealth would not be his at the end. He would have to embrace a religion he despised and would forever be disgraced. Every time he left the stage in disgrace, the hall would resound with thundering applause.  And how he loved being cussed. And how he loved that thundering applause… the lights shining upon him, the audience dimmed to oblivion in darkness. If anyone was standing at the top of the world, it was him. If anyone was able to part the ocean by sheer strength of voice, it was him…for the waves could not deny the voice if he ever chose to ask them to part. An when the hall was as silent as being empty, his voice would thunder across the hall, “…………………….You will answer 'The slaves are ours:' so do I answer you: The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought; 'tis