Secret Composer Agent
I’m a child, playing out a piano piece written by some old composer. He’s standing there watching me, making sure I’m doing it right.
“Ah, good, that part there is a little fast but it’s good that way.”
Many years later, I am an old man. I see the composer in a coffee shop, looking not a day older than when I was a child. It is apparent that he must die. He is the enemy, an agent from another faction. But I am old. What can I do? I befriend him. We discuss the changing scene of classical composition in modern times. He invites me over to his yacht where we drink and laugh about the past.
My family is with me now. We are all old. This is our vacation in some undisclosed European country.
“If he’s here, we need to run.” My wife suggests.
“We could catch a plane tonight. Grab only the items that are already packed.” I tell them. “I am going to see if I can finish this first.”
I head out to the yacht, uncertain of what I will do. Upon arrival, I see a figure leap from the mast and fall into a mesh of chain and rope in the front of the ship. It is the old man. He has hung himself on the bow. My arms fly into the air in a victorious flail of triumph. He is dead and I didn’t even have to kill him!
Interpol comes racing in, surrounding the scene. I scream at them. “He’s dead!” I laugh. “I didn’t do it but he’s dead. He’s finally dead.” I follow them over to the body and one of the agents grabs ahold of the man hanging from the chain.
“He isn’t dead yet. There’s breathing.”
My heart sinks into despair.
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