Friday, 16 August 2013

The Fortune Teller



A customer at a country fair goes into a purple tent with a maroon door flap. Inside sits Madam Zelda with a cash box to one side and a crystal ball covered by a navy blue felt cloth. The inside layer of the tent is black with red trimmings.
MADAM ZELDA: Good afternoon Sir. Take a seat.
CUSTOMER: Thank you very much. How much will a reading cost?
MADAM ZELDA: Each reading costs $50. I will lay out some cards and then I will gaze into the crystal ball. The $50 covers a 10 minute session. Cash only.
CUSTOMER: Let’s start.
Madam Zelda unveils the crystal ball and lays out some cards.
MADAM ZELDA: (Surprised, shocked) Looking at these cards I think I’ll ask for your money up front before starting.
CUSTOMER: What do you mean?
MADAM ZELDA: Looking at what I can see here it’ll be easier to pay now. It’ll save messing around latter. I will only continue with what I can see if you will hand over payment now.
CUSTOMER: Okay.
The customer hands over a crisp new $50 note.
MADAM ZELDA: Now. This is not a good day for you. In fact it is your last day. This tent will be your place of death in just a few minutes.
CUSTOMER: WHAT!
MADAM ZELDA: In the crystal ball I can see police and ambulance officers swarming over this tent and a police cordon placed over the entrance. I will be massively inconvenienced for days and my visit to this town will have to be cut short.
CUSTOMER: But how?
MADAM ZELDA: Now let’s take a closer look here. I can see the inquest. testimony is being given that the cause of death was a brain embolism. I am also in court. I will be questioned as the last person to see you alive.
CUSTOMER: But how? Why? Ho…..
That was all the customer said. That was his end. The customer’s head drops to the table nearly upending it. Madam Zelda catches the cash box before it slides away.

No comments: