Scene of the Crime

Are you ready for more of my story? asked Pliny the Elder.

You bet I am, I said. I'm listening.

Pliny cleared his throat and began to read:

K arrived at the office in a state of panic. Not only had he partially turned into a giant beetle, but he had failed to remain at the scene of an accident for which he had been ( only partially, he thought) responsible. He parked his bicycle and bolted up the stairs.

No one in the office bothered to greet him. They all had their heads down over various piles of papers. K slid into his seat, and looked at the single paper on his own desk. Urgent! it read. Accident at City Junction. Hit and run. Giant creature squashed. Police uncertain as to owner of boot-clad feet also found at the scene. Attend at once, file report.

K was in a quandary. He must return to the scene of the crime! But there were sure to be witnesses who would recognise him there. He wondered if Otto might be prevailed upon to go. He stood up and walked over to Otto. Otto! he said, trying not to sound too much like a beetle. Otto looked up. Sorry, far too busy, he said, and continued to shuffle his papers. Well, thought K, if he didn't notice....

K went back to the scene of the crime, on foot, and without his identifying hat. People were standing around the squashed beetle and the brown leather boots, but no one paid K much attention. What happened here? he asked a woman with a shopping basket. Ugh! she said. Someone's run over a huge insect. Look at the mess! Did you see it happen? asked K. Partially, said the woman. Well, no, I was looking in the opposite direction , but I heard everything. What did it sound like? asked K. Like a birth, the woman replied.

Well, that's the story, said Pliny. What do you think?

I'm speechless. Is that really the end?

No, said Pliny, just the end of that story. Of course I still have to close off the frame.