Can you think of anyone you have met or have known who is out to get what they can? Who is always looking for an opportunity to get something for themselves? Maybe you can combine a few people. Base your character on this person/people.
This character will be writing a message in condolence cards for a bereaved person known to them. The death could be of a person or of a pet. This is how it will work:
SET-UP: Start off with something normal and appropriate that also gives us the context and some information. (“deeply sorry for your loss” etc)
REVEAL: You character reveals that they want something that belonged to the deceased (or if it were a pet, something that was used in the care of them).*
ESCALATION: They try and justify why they want this.
PAYOFF: They sign off with something appropriate sounding – but then add one more grasping or self-serving comment.**
* It will help the comedy if what they want is something quite small or trivial. This will be in friction with the gravity of the person’s loss – a big/small effect (or bathos).
** This is a false dawn ending. It seems like everything is now right again – but it isn’t.
There are two ways of going with this, depending on who the character is:
* they ask for the thing openly and blatantly, not having any sense that this is not the right time.
* they are painfully aware this is very awkward but they can’t help themselves.
* or indeed they are aware this is not the done thing but they’re doing it anyway.
Remember this is in a greetings card so it won’t be very lengthy.
EMAIL ME YOUR HOMEWORKS! I will feature some in the newsletter next time! (Just hit reply and attach)
COMEDY CLIP OF THE MONTH IS AT THE END OF THE EMAIL!
It's about a dead pet which reminds me of a very much living pet that I haven't featured in this mail out! My daughter's dog Faith! Okay, you've twisted my arm - but this is the LAST TIME! Here she is on holiday in Norfolk (obviously we were there too - who do you think is taking the picture? We haven't bought her a selfie stick).
