Breathtaking.

Standing room only
insufficient chairs
the chairs found only in rooms like this
institutional, but trying not to be
non-break foam, steel legged, scratchy fabric skinned
natural habitat: staff rooms, seminars, conferences. 
Men study sheets of paper
rather not know chivalry looks away from women on feet
etiquette can wait –
the room carries the smell of money …. and tension
both able to dismiss etiquette.

“ Ladies and gentlemen
this is what you have been waiting for
I don’t need to tell you ……”
but he does
“unparalleled opportunity, seldom available, almost unique.”

“ So ladies and gentlemen
will someone start me – anyone don’t be shy
let’s be really silly and begin at 600
600 it is – thank you sir
620. . .640 . . 660 .. 680
700 at the back
720 ..740… 760…. 780…. ”

“NINE HUNDRED.”
Oxygen evacuates
silence moves in
“ 900 is the bid
900 going once
going twice
gooooiiinnng …sold to you sir, for $900,000.”