You know this trick.

Within each box is another, somewhat smaller, but otherwise exact replica.

Your task is to go through the motions, revealing box after box.

It’s an impractical assignment, requiring a monotony that stings, draining your essence as you stack panoramas, building impressively tall structures with empty boxes.

Bob Thurber is the author of six books. Regarded as a master of Flash and Micro Fiction, his work has appeared in Esquire and other magazines, been anthologized 60 times, received a long list of awards, and been utilized in schools and colleges throughout the world. He resides in Massachusetts. Visit his website at BobThurber.net.