# Opening Hook Audit - Chapter 09

CRITERION 1: PULLS - first 50 words quoted - "The blade had to stay sharp. June scored the painter's tape before she pulled it, because whoever had taped this wall last spring had not, and the proof was a crescent of topcoat peeled off at eye level, exactly where the incoming artist would stand at four o'clock and" - reasoning: starts with character action, tool competence, visible damage, and a deadline; it raises the question of whether June can make the room disappear by four.

CRITERION 2: CLEAN - strongest atmospheric candidate considered: "late-morning sun had come around the building... to rake down the wall" (line 19). It appears after June is already working and functions as a tool for finding flaws, not camera-pan atmosphere.

CRITERION 3: not applicable - Chapter 09 is not Chapter 1 or a part-opening.

Chapter verdict: HOOKED.

REVISION ORDERS: None.
