A Sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
Two chairs and a table with a carafe and a glass. One character enters wearing a face mask. Another arrives, also wearing a mask. After a moment’s hesitation, the second character addresses the first with a conspiratorial look.
One – Fools, they dare anything…
Two – That’s how you recognise them.
One – What a stupid password.
Two – Indeed.
One – Right. As I said, payment is upfront.
The other hands him an envelope.
Two – Here you go.
One – What’s the name of the target?
Two – John Smith.
One – Well, that’s odd.
Two – What is?
One – Oh, nothing… Actually, no, I probably shouldn’t say this because you’re not supposed to know my name, but… It’s a namesake.
Two – A namesake?
One – My name’s John Smith too. I mean, it’s a pretty common name…
Two – It’s not a namesake.
One – I’m telling you, my name’s John Smith too.
Two – Yes. And you’re the one to be eliminated.
One – Me?
Two – Yes, you.
One – You’re hiring me to kill myself?
Two – Precisely.
One – But why?
Two – A contract is a contract, isn’t it? And I’ve paid you…
One – Right.
Two – Here, I even brought the poison.
He hands him a packet.
One – What’s this?
Two – Ant poison.
One – Right.
Two – I can count on you, can’t I?
One – Of course…
He walks off. The other pauses, bewildered. He sits down, thinks for a moment, then pours the packet’s contents into a glass, adds water, stirs, and prepares to drink. The other character returns, laughing, mask off.
One – April Fool!
The one sitting snaps out of his stupor and recognises him.
Two – You’re such an idiot, Bob.
Black.
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A sketch from the collection Killer Sketches
Link to the collection for free download (PDF)
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