[Intro]
Desk clock. Open browser tabs.
Cold coffee beside the screen.
I begin where the record changed,
not where the noise began.

[Verse 1]
2:05 — headline updated.
2:07 — phones started ringing.
I open the archived versions,
line by line.

2:13 — copy desk asks
who cleared the attribution.
I write the question down.
The answer isn't there yet.

[Verse 2]
Metro received the first alert.
National worked from the later file.
Graphics noticed the caption problem,
but only after publication.

I build the minute-by-minute sequence,
from logs and archived versions.
Confirmation timestamps
line up with each decision.

[Chorus]
Correction window.
Small box on the live article.
State what changed.
State when it changed.
Leave the order intact.

Correction window.
Not an explanation.
Just enough space
to keep the sequence clear.

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 3]
Adrian stops beside my desk,
looks at the screen,
then simply says,
"Finish it. Take the time."

The live correction grows clearer
each time another detail fits.
Untouched food.
One browser tab closes.
Nobody hits publish.

[Chorus]
Correction window.
Small box on the live article.
State what changed.
State when it changed.
Leave the order intact.

Correction window.
Now the timeline holds together.
Not to defend the newsroom—
to understand exactly
where verification came too late.

[Outro]
Last revision saved.
Chair pushed back.
The room is quieter now.
The sequence finally makes sense.

[End]