diff --git a/src/journey/navigation-controller.ts b/src/journey/navigation-controller.ts
index 1062eae..bd8d6dd 100644
--- a/src/journey/navigation-controller.ts
+++ b/src/journey/navigation-controller.ts
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ export function validateSectionAnchor(
 /** How long a pre-armed interlude waits for the scene loop to take over. */
 const PRE_ARM_TIMEOUT_MS = 1400;
 /** Matches INTERLUDE_RISE_MS in the environment loop. */
-const PRE_ARM_RISE_MS = 1100;
+const PRE_ARM_RISE_MS = 800;
 
 /**
  * A long navigator scroll passes the chapters in between. While the scene runs
diff --git a/src/scene/world/environment.ts b/src/scene/world/environment.ts
index be6cbb0..e2c5831 100644
--- a/src/scene/world/environment.ts
+++ b/src/scene/world/environment.ts
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ const OUTRO_RETURN_SECONDS = 1.6;
 const OUTRO_REACH = 0.62;
 const ENGINE_OFF_NIGHT = new THREE.Color(0x000000);
 /** Plates rise back over 720 ms with up to three 90 ms staggers. */
-const INTERLUDE_RISE_MS = 1100;
+const INTERLUDE_RISE_MS = 800;
 
 function easeInOutCubic(t: number): number {
   return t < 0.5 ? 4 * t * t * t : 1 - Math.pow(-2 * t + 2, 3) / 2;
diff --git a/src/scene/world/sign.ts b/src/scene/world/sign.ts
index 690569f..c910ec2 100644
--- a/src/scene/world/sign.ts
+++ b/src/scene/world/sign.ts
@@ -47,8 +47,12 @@ const TILT_RADIANS = 0.07;
 const HANDOFF_MS = 200;
 /** Above this scroll drive speed a passive crossing skips the interlude. */
 const BRISK_DRIVE_SPEED = 0.5;
-/** Share of the approach spent on the truss before the arc into the window. */
-const ON_TRUSS = 0.7;
+/** Share of the approach spent on the truss before the arc into the window.
+ * Round 6 trimmed the hold so the arc carries more of the approach. */
+const ON_TRUSS = 0.62;
+/** The reading plates start to rise about 180 ms (of a 900 ms approach)
+ * before the sign docks, so the interlude closes in about 1.5 s. */
+const PLATE_RISE_PROGRESS = 0.8;
 
 const SIGN_MARKER_FONT =
   '600 60px "Geist Mono Variable", ui-monospace, monospace';
@@ -524,7 +528,8 @@ export function createSign(
       return state;
     },
     interlude() {
-      return !brisk && state === 'incoming';
+      if (brisk || state !== 'incoming') return false;
+      return !(snapshot?.phase === 'approach' && snapshot.progress >= PLATE_RISE_PROGRESS);
     },
     compose(camera, width, height, dock, now, tilt = REST_TILT) {
       const dt = Math.min(0.05, Math.max(0, (now - previousNow) / 1000));
diff --git a/src/styles/gantry.css b/src/styles/gantry.css
index d3e6b7f..d5a8760 100644
--- a/src/styles/gantry.css
+++ b/src/styles/gantry.css
@@ -708,45 +708,47 @@ html .drive-controls__audio-status {
 
 /* ---------- The interlude under the gantry ---------- */
 /* While a sign approaches (environment.ts sets data-interlude='on'), the
-   reading plates step up and out in 260 ms, so the road and the sign have
-   the frame to themselves; then ('rise') they come back up from below in
-   sequence. Headings only fade: journey and audio measure them. */
+   reading plates step up and out in 180 ms, so the road and the sign have
+   the frame to themselves; the headings follow once the plates are gone, so
+   a departing plate never ghosts over an arriving title. Then ('rise', about
+   180 ms before the sign docks) they come back up from below in sequence.
+   Headings only fade: journey and audio measure them. */
 @media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference) {
   html[data-interlude='on'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > * {
     opacity: 0;
-    transition: opacity 260ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
+    transition: opacity 200ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0) 160ms;
   }
   html[data-interlude='on'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :not(h1, h2, :has(h1, h2)) {
     transform: translateY(-24px);
     transition:
-      opacity 260ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0),
-      transform 260ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
+      opacity 180ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0),
+      transform 180ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
   }
   /* The exit tag's strike-on animation restarts as the plates return. */
   html[data-interlude='on'] .reading-stage .portfolio-section::before,
   html[data-interlude='on'] .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-exit='08']::after {
     opacity: 0;
     animation: none;
-    transition: opacity 260ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
+    transition: opacity 180ms cubic-bezier(0.5, 0, 0.75, 0);
   }
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-section[data-exit='08']::after,
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > .portfolio-section > *,
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > .hero-journey > * {
-    animation: plate-fade 720ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both;
+    animation: plate-fade 400ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both;
   }
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > .portfolio-section > :not(h1, h2, :has(h1, h2)),
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > .hero-journey > :not(h1, h2, :has(h1, h2)) {
-    animation: plate-rise 720ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both;
+    animation: plate-rise 400ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both;
   }
   /* The chapter body keeps its light-edge sweep alongside the rise. */
   html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > .portfolio-section[data-current] > .chapter-body {
     animation:
-      plate-rise 720ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both,
+      plate-rise 400ms cubic-bezier(0.22, 1, 0.36, 1) both,
       exit-panel-light 1.6s cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.75, 0.2, 1) both;
   }
-  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 90ms; }
-  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 180ms; }
-  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(n + 4) { animation-delay: 270ms; }
+  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(2) { animation-delay: 40ms; }
+  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(3) { animation-delay: 80ms; }
+  html[data-interlude='rise'] .reading-stage .portfolio-main > * > :nth-child(n + 4) { animation-delay: 120ms; }
 }
 @keyframes plate-rise {
   from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(28px); }
diff --git a/tests/unit/sign-rendering.test.ts b/tests/unit/sign-rendering.test.ts
index 530ad7c..ba1120c 100644
--- a/tests/unit/sign-rendering.test.ts
+++ b/tests/unit/sign-rendering.test.ts
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ describe('composed route signs', () => {
     const h = setup();
     h.render({ ...profile, phase: 'approach', progress: 0, opacity: 1 }, 30);
     const early = h.render({ ...profile, phase: 'approach', progress: 0.2, opacity: 1 })!.bounds;
-    const big = h.render({ ...profile, phase: 'approach', progress: 0.69, opacity: 1 })!.bounds;
+    const big = h.render({ ...profile, phase: 'approach', progress: 0.61, opacity: 1 })!.bounds;
     const arcing = h.render({ ...profile, phase: 'approach', progress: 0.85, opacity: 1 })!.bounds;
     const docked = h.render(profile)!.bounds;
     expect(h.sign.dockState()).toBe('docked');