Bow

He stopped and the crowd filled the hall with a noise that was felt rather than heard. He bowed into the sound and the curtain fell only to rise again half a minute later. The applause, which surely hadn't diminished at all, grew louder. Again he bowed, again the curtain fell. And again and again. And then he didn't bow. He stood and smiled and with small, calming movements of his hands by his sides, gradually quietened the crowd until the applause died down and the hall grew still. And then, slowly, calmly, he took his final, last bow.