the tape stayed where it was.

Before rehearsal, they marked their places with masking tape. Two pale lines on a concrete floor: one beside the bass amplifier, another beneath the keyboard. It helped them set everything up without talking.

The first bass note travelled through both pairs of shoes. A loose pipe rattled overhead. The keyboard player laughed, then found a note that made the pipe fall quiet.

When they packed away, neither could remember whose note had started the song. They left the tape for Thursday.