Where information appears matters - Online practice 1

Read before answering

Original opening, 'The returned ticket': For most of the afternoon I had rehearsed what to say. Now the station waiting room was empty, except for a clock that clicked too loudly. I told myself I was ready. When the clerk appeared, I pushed the unused ticket across the counter, then held it down with one finger. He waited. I lifted my finger. Notice how much story time is covered by each part. A short sentence can isolate a moment and slow attention; it does not always make a scene feel faster.