Death and Faxes

Death and Faxes

"Hello, Margaret."

"You're late! Love the hood. No scythe?"

"I don't need it, and for the record, I'm early."

"Whatever. Get on with it."

"Margaret, we've had this discussion before. I'm never late, and I won't be early. Now, put down the razor. And flush those immediately."

"Then it's time."

"Clever, but wrong. I can visit anytime I want, but it's not my purpose."

"Well, at least you have a purpose. I lost my job. I can't pay my rent? And Dexter dumped me this morning. What's the use?"

"The job and bank account are in The Book. But Dexter dumped you? When?"

"This morning."

"He wasn't here this morning. I was watching."

"He didn't come over. He sent a fax."

"A fax? How odd. Why wouldn't he have just sent a text?"

"Like that would be better?"

"Of course not, but it would've made more sense, I mean, since he's being cold-hearted about it. May I see it? Maggie, Don't call. I need to sort this out. It's not working. I'm fed up. Need a change.'"

"He probably didn't text because he knew I'd respond. I've failed at everything. It's all a big nothing, Even you don't want me."

"And they call me grim. Stop crying. Here, take this. Blow your nose before you become gooey and disgusting. Ewww. You're pathetic."

"At least I have a face."

"Look, you never liked that job, and there's likely a far better one waiting. Furthermore, whatever Dexter's problem is, maybe he's not the one for you, although that's not what The Book says. Get up, and go wash your face. Pull yourself togeth- What's that?"

"The doorbell."

"Who on earth is calling at this ungodly hour on a Sunday morning?"

"If I'm lucky, it's a murderer."

"It's not."

"Shut up. Oh my stars! It's Dexter! He can't come in here."

"And why not?"

"I can't let him see me like this. He'll know I've been crying."

"Margaret, he broke up with you this morning. I'm sure he expects you've been crying."

"But-"

"Open the door, or I'll blow it off its hinges. I mean it, Margaret."



"Hello, Dexter."

"Maggie? Are you crying? What happened? Are you all right?"

"No, I'm not all right. How could you break up with me after we decided to-- and in a fax! Really, Dex? Really? What kind of man are you? Did I ever know you?"

"Hey, Wait a minute. Slow down. What are you talking about? Break up? What? Oh! The fax. Nononono. I didn't-- I wasn't-- I'd never--"

"Why are you laughing? You think this is funny? Get out, Dexter. Just leave."

"I'm not going anywhere, Mags. And it is funny. It's hilarious. No. Just listen. My phone died last night. I sent the fax so you wouldn't worry when you couldn't reach me. I was fed up with the phone, Mags. You know it's been giving me problems. Aw, honey, come on, don't cry. It's the phone I'm looking to replace, not you. Give me a smile."

"I suppose it is kind of funny. Now."

"That's my girl. Com'ere."



"Well. Let that be a lesson to you, young lady. And when we meet again, many years from now, the timing will be right!"

"Yeah yeah. You win this one."

"I always win. Just think of what you'd have missed if I had acquiesced. What you were planning to do is never the answer. Now, find your purpose. Flush those before he sees them. And destroy that not-so-funny note you wrote!"

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Death and Faxes  |  Carol St. Ann
Approx 600 words