Dear Reader,

There’s a violence in the air. The Hong Kong riots are still going, with the ban on masks being liberally ignored. Masks are a iconic piece of culture, having place in many different areas of reality. The very term mask has infinite definitions. As verb or noun, it can mean to conceal, to cover, or simply to don a physical mask. As a noun, it can be the mask itself, or a number of other things. Mask work in drama holds a sacred place to many, as masks themselves were originally used in religious and sacred festivals. When masks are used, there’s almost a sense of mutual respect: between the mask and the mask wearer. A good performance can make a mask come to life; it can breathe vitality into the mask’s lungs. It can help it breathe, and do it justice. But I wear a mask every day. I wear the face of a character everywhere I go. And I can’t ever do them justice. Their name is Me, and their character can never be whole. We all walk around with masks; the barrier between who we look like and who we are. The only way we can do them justice is by relenting to their needs. Who will fall to who is left for you to decide. Will you let you mask rule you?

With love,

The guy who sits next to you on the subway.