Squeezed tight, his voice went a bit sharp as he sang his tune. The pulley locked and the cable sprung into action, causing a tiny whimper from his mouth. but the audience didn’t hear it because of the strategically-placed, violin crescendo in the pit band.

As the human marionette strings ripped him around the stage, shocking pain spread through his body, originating from his constricted marbles. Suddenly the cords loosened, and he flew to the ground like a injured bird. At the last minute, the pulley locked and his harness dug in. Grasping for air, he changed keys mid-word. As the final loop through the air came to an end, he perched on the edge of the fake bed, and sang the last note perfectly.

The curtain went down, and the sympathetic audience of Washington Elementary School clapped.

“Ughh, I feel like I just got raped in the nads!” Peter said to Wendy, his voice reverberating through the theatre.

Followed by a second, raucous applause and standing ovation for the forgotten microphone mute.