An ending

The ending of my very early political farce, THE STIFF, long has been a favorite curtain moment, and it speaks much to today's politics. The leader of a country is dead. His widow is ready to appear before the People to show her (false) grief.

CHARLES: Do you want me to come back?

MRS. JONES: No. We can come back later. First I must make my appearance. I must show my grief.

NECK: The people would expect grief, madam.

MRS. JONES: What the people expect, they deserve. What they deserve, they get. Always.

(All exit and BLACKOUT.)