Civil Servant v. Clarinetist

Growling stomach. Stroll stroll stroll. Pass mass grave. Stroll stroll stroll. Stroll through field. Stroll stop. Admire flower. Stroll stroll stroll. Knock on Pepple's door. Rap rap rap. Wait wait - What? asks Pepple.

Expression of hunger. Query regarding inventory, comestible variety thereof. Promise of remuneration implicit.

Vague & noncommittal response.

Promise of remuneration explicit.

Pause.

Pause pause pause. Thinking.

Close door. Wait wait wait. Open door. Biscuit. Hard tack. Hard tack?

Definition:

hardtack |ˈhärdˌtak|
noun
hard dry bread or biscuit, esp. as rations for sailors.

Thinly displeased appreciation given in exchange for hard tack. Also, seventeen dollars. Awkward post-exchange discourse. Excuse from Pepple. Muffled goodbyes. Close door.

Stroll stroll stroll. Nibble nibble nibble. Stroll stroll stroll. Pass mass grave. Stroll stroll nibble. Nibble stroll stroll. Stroll nibble nibble. Arrival at oak.

Thirst after consumption.

Arrival of Clarinetist. Awkward pre-duel discourse. Pre-duel preparations.

They raise their guns, their guns go off.