Close the Ticket

[Intro — spoken, reverent] When the last bell rings above the county line, form two circles and face the failing sky. The caller will announce the final measure. Please keep your hands inside the designated procedure. [Verse 1] We checked the locks, we checked the gate, We stamped the form and logged the date, The river climbed, the sirens cried, So take your partner, step inside. [Chorus — square-dance call and response] Caller: Swing that partner, pass it down! All: Turn the wheel before it drowns! Caller: Do-si-do the warning flare! All: Keep one clean step in the burning air! Caller: Promenade the edge of town! All: Hold your good shoes off the ground! [Verse 2] The courthouse clock forgot to chime, The corn stood black in perfect time, No owner named, no action due— The final risk is assigned to you. [Instrumental — fiddle and banjo square-dance break] [Spoken announcement] Attention, dancers. Conventional response has been exhausted. Form one line for celestial review. Advance on the caller’s count. [Verse 3] Bring no report and bring no chart, Bring both your boots and steady heart, A modest stone, a useful weight, Step left before it seals our fate. [Breakdown — shouted call and response] Caller: CHANGE REQUEST! All: APPROVED! Caller: RISK OWNER! All: SKY! Caller: IMPLEMENTATION! All: RIGHT NOW! Caller: ROLLBACK PLAN! [Silence] All: None. [Final Chorus — full band] Caller: Swing that partner, pass it down! All: Turn the wheel before it drowns! Caller: Promenade the failing rail! All: Keep your boots beneath the veil! Caller: If the last procedure fails— [Band stops] Caller: Close the ticket. All: Close the ticket. [Outro — huge congregation] Left foot, right foot, gather near, Set the final circle here. No more forms and no appeal, Let the broken heavens seal. Amen. Amen. AMEN.