A GRAVE MATTER

Lights up on a graveyard. A THUG stands above a beat-up MAN, who is digging in a grave. The THUG has a gun trained on the MAN.

THUG

I told ya if ya mess with the boss, this would be the punishment.

MAN (throwing down the shovel)

I've resigned myself to my fate. I only hope you can resign yourself to what you need to do.

Silence. The THUG raises the gun. He squints. He prepares to squeeze the trigger.

Suddenly, the GRIM REAPER emerges from the dirt.

GRIM REAPER

Eh, I wouldn't.

THUG

Oh, no?

GRIM REAPER

Naw, it's really, uh...really kinda crowded.

MAN

Crowded?

GRIM REAPER

Yeah, you wouldn't like it. Bunched up. Not cool.

THUG

Crowded, eh?

GRIM REAPER

Uh huh.

THUG

Well gee, man. I don't want that for you.

MAN

Yeah, that doesn't sound good.

GRIM REAPER

It's not.

THUG

Well, hey, let's figure something else out. Maybe we should just let you live instead.

MAN

Okay, if you think so.

THUG helps the MAN out of the grave.

GRIM REAPER

See ya guys.

THUG AND MAN

See ya.

GRIM REAPER

Oh, and pass that on, what I said about down there.

THUG

You got it.

The THUG and the MAN exit. Beat.

GRIM REAPER

Sweet! Got the place to myself tonight. I gotta call Lisa.

The GRIM REAPER pulls out a flip-phone.

BLACKOUT.