After the Picture

After the picture was taken, Mr. Krass printed the picture out, put it in a frame, and hung it next to the others. Then, he made sure that he played the part of a perfect host. He provided humble, but sufficient accommodations for his guests tonight. Krass reminded everyone of their early start for tomorrow morning. The five guests would need a good night’s rest.

The next morning, Mr. Krass awakened before the crack of dawn, prepared a meager breakfast, and gathered all the tools that a digger would need.

This group was made up of a variety of personalities. There was a grotesque figure who was built to work long hours, a couple taking an adventure before their marriage, a barber and a bartender. All were excited and bright-eyed and ready for their hands-on field trip.

Mr. Krass always had but one intention when he purchased his plot of land in the middle of nowhere. It had been his dream to mine the cave on his property to prospect for gold. He decided to play hosts to five guests at a time and during their stay, he would provide the entertainment. Krass arranged trips for his guests to go “gem-panning.” No one would know that his true intentions were to use his guests as miners who would dig until their last breath. They would never again be seen-from the weakest to the strongest, one by one, they’d give out.

Dismayed, Mr. Krass, was not; for, after the demise of each guest, he would act as host until....his endeavor was realized.

On yet another “gem-panning” adventure, things changed. Before leaving out for the adventure, one guest, Manual replaced the picture taken with another that excluded him. During his digging, Manual recognized a sparkle in the mine. He was convinced that it was gold and determined, he would not give out. He would find his way back to the cottage with bags full of gold and no sign of Mr. Krass.