Invitation to a Beheading

The city fathers meet at the house of the deputy city manager. They wait for the arrival of Pierre and Cincinnatus. A “small coffin” is displayed at the meeting but the conversation is lively. Pierre and Cincinnatus arrive, and as Pierre charms the city fathers over supper, Cincinnatus fumbles with his knife. Pierre tries to be kind and polite to Cincinnatus, who refuses to eat. Pierre repeats a joke that he once told to Cincinnatus. The other guests laugh a great deal, while Cincinnatus did not laugh at the joke before. Using wine, Pierre anoints both himself and Cincinnatus. The guests congratulate Pierre.

After supper, the guests move outside. Pierre lingers next to Cincinnatus, discussing his hobbies of fishing and photography at length. Cincinnatus realizes that the backyard of the deputy city manager’s house abuts the Tamara Gardens, where he has been many times. The park superintendent asks Pierre whether he can talk to Cincinnatus. He reveals that, at midnight, the gardens will do something. A surprise has been planned. In the background, a female administrator pleads with the male supply director to leave her alone.

At midnight, the surprise is revealed. The Tamara Gardens light up with a series of colored lamps in the shapes of the letters P and C, in honor of Pierre and Cincinnatus.