# Chapter 04 Opening Hook Audit

- CRITERION 1: PULLS — first 50 words quoted: `"The corner booth at Sonia's sat six, and they were eight. Theo had run the count on the sidewalk half a block back, the way he counted heads at an opening before deciding whether to bring up more glasses, and he came through the door already looking for spare chairs."` — reasoning: starts with a concrete logistical mismatch and Theo's management reflex, so the reader has immediate social pressure.
- CRITERION 2: CLEAN — strongest atmospheric candidate: `"There were two, parked under a corkboard by the register"` — setting arrives through Theo's search for chairs, not through a camera pan.
- CRITERION 3: not applicable — Chapter 04 is not Chapter 1 or a part opening.

Chapter verdict: HOOKED.

REVISION ORDERS: none.
