+ The True Moral +

[pig_and_pepper]

[ Grey ruffles obscure the broadcast, until the Duchess takes a step aside. She has taken her head off whole, and placed it carefully on a scale. She watches the numbers rise... rise... rise, until the scale beeps, and stops just at 39.9 pounds. The Duchess sighs, pleased, and picks her head back up. ]

Heavy is the head that knows the truth, make sure 'tis not too much to bear!

[ A long silence follows.

After a while it occurs to her that her audience may be with her still. ]

'Tis all I shall tell you today. If you wish to dig, dig yourself, what good is any truth if it lies buried with you? [ She taps her lip. ] Cremated, I suppose, that would be more accurate.

[ The Duchess primly sets her head straight in her lap. ]

Now, shall we bake a cake to help us through these frightful times? [ She clears her throat. ] You will need two eggs, two tablespoons cocoa, half a cup shortening, one and a half cups white sugar, one teaspoon of salt, one teaspoon vanilla extract, one cup buttermilk, two and a half cups all-purpose flour, sifted of course, one and a half teaspoons baking soda....

[ This will go on for some time. Feel free to bake along. ]

Comments

[pig_and_pepper]

In the ground, my good Sam. There's no sense digging through air. Water is another matter, but I suppose you'd drown before you get deep enough. [ She lifts her spoon, and watches the batter drip from it. ] But then, who says you will not, as it is now...

[ofletters]

And... why're the times 'frightful?'

[ Sam knows better than to expect a straight answer from these people, but he has to try, right? ]

[pig_and_pepper]

Are they ever not? Whose intentions can you trust, truly? Your own? Not even your own, my dear Sam, 'tis a sad moral indeed that even the best of intentions--

[ The Duchess glances down at her head sadly. Or makes the attempt, presumably, as much as can be gathered from a slight tilt of her upper body, and a morose look in her eyes. ]

Anyone might turn, Sam. Or turn on you. Both. Either. Always...