Every year on November 3, they had a little game that each of them would suggest something special to do together. They would choose one in random. They had some elaborate procedures to ensure that no one would know who actually suggested it. Then, they would do it together, no matter what.
In the past few years, they have actually done something that they could not forget. For example, last year, they went to swimming. Swimming in the summer may be fun. Swimming in the icy water of November needs some courage. They all ended up sneezing for a few weeks.
The year before that, someone suggested to drink a little. That time they did not keep the promise. They drank a lot, XO, VSOP, champagne, vodka, whisky, wines, beers . . . They also went to sky diving, motor racing, shave their heads and simply read out loud their own diaries.
Harry was the last to come to Henley's house. With him was a young lady. Harry introduced her, ``Henry and Henley, this is Lily. Lily, this is Henry and this is Henley. Henley is the owner of this house.''
While they were saying some ``nice to meet you'' stuff, Henley thought, ``she is not beautiful.''
Harry said, ``I knew Lily for about a month. She heard that we have a game tonight and wants to join in. That's why I take her here. I am sure you guys don't mind.''
``No, not at all, as long as she obeys the rules,'' Henry said.
``What rules?'' Lily asked.
``We will tell you later. Let's have dinner first,'' Henley said, ``Donna, is dinner ready?''
His maid, Donna, answered, ``yes, the dinner is served.''
They had a lively dinner. After the dinner, Lily asked, ``Harry told me that you will do anything suggested, if it is chosen. Is it true?''
Henry said, ``yes, that's true. But you cannot suggest anything. There are some rules.''
Henley said, ``first, the suggestion must be legal. We won't break the law. Second, it must be able to be done in a week. We are not strict at this point but don't make it too long. Third, it cannot point at any particular person. Fourth, we all must be able to do it.''
``Within this rules, how far will you go?'' Lily asked.
``As far as you can suggest and do it with us,'' Harry said.
Henry said, ``so, would you like to join us?''
Lily thought for a few seconds and said, ``Okay.''
Henley, ``we have an agreement?''
Lily said, ``yes, we have an agreement.'' Henley turned to Henry and Harry. They both nodded.
Harry then explained to her how to use the computer to print out what she suggested, how to delete the file so that there would be no trace, how to fold the paper to match theirs. After all these, she was asked to put the folded paper in an urn.
Harry, Henry and Henley did the same thing in turns. Now, there were four pieces of paper in the urn. Henry said, ``Lily, you are the guest tonight. You have the honor to pick.'' Henley handed the urn to her.
Lily took the urn and without watching, she put the right hand in it and picked up one.
Harry said, ``don't open it yet.'' He took the urn from Lily, poured some liquid into it, ignited a match and threw the match in the urn.
All three men said together, ``FIRE!'' Well, it was only a little fire and it did not last long. Lily was holding the paper all the time.
After the fire was gone, Henley said to Lily, ``now, you can open the paper.'' Lily unfolded it and spread it on the coffee table in the middle of the room.
The paper read: ``Kill yourself.''
They looked to each other without any emotions. It was Henry who broke the ice. He said, ``I have to make a phone call.'' He dialed and said, ``Ana? . . . Yes. . . . I am in Henley's house. I will be late, very late. . . . Yes. . . . Bye.'' He then put down the receiver and said to the people in the room, ``I am ready.''
``Who is Ana?'' Henley asked.
``Does it matter?'' Henry said.
Henley said, ``not anymore.'' He pulled open a drawer and took out a hand gun. ``Who would like to do it first?''
Henry and Harry were very calm. Lily was smiling. She thought that all of these were just a joke. She was waiting to see who would laugh first.
Henry said, ``let me do it.'' He took the gun from Henley, sat back on the couch, pointed the gun just above his right ear and fired.
BANG!
Henry fell down to his left hand side. Blood and pieces of his skull were scattered all over the couch. Lily was not smiling anymore. She could not make herself believe what she saw.
Henley went to pick up the gun, which was now covered with blood. He put the gun barrel inside his mouth, pointing upward. Before he pulled the trigger, he saw Lily was shaking. He pulled out the gun and said to Lily, ``don't be afraid. It is fast and not painful.'' He put the gun back in his mouth and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Harry relaxed the fingers of Henley and picked up the gun. He said to Lily, ``now, it's your turn.''
Lily huddled into her chair and screamed, ``NO! NO!''
Harry said, ``if you do not do it yourself, I will do it for you.''
Lily said, ``I did not mean it. I just want to see how far you will go. Please, don't.''
``So, you don't want to do it yourself?'' Harry pointed the gun to her.
``Stop. You can't kill me. It's against the rule. Murder is illegal,'' Lily said.
``Ha! You broke the rule first. You do not follow our agreement. By the way, after I fulfil my obligation, it doesn't matter if I have broken the law, right?'' Harry aimed to Lily again and pulled the trigger.
Lily jumped away from her chair and escaped. She ran as fast as she could to the door but the bullet ran faster. Harry shot again and it hit Lily's left leg. She fell down.
Harry walked to her and held her from crawling away, ``you see, it only hurts you more.'' Lily was extremely frightened. Harry covered her eyes by his left hand. He pointed the gun at the middle of her forehead and
BANG!
Harry was now sitting in a pool of blood. He released the gun and held it backward, pointed to his left eye. He thought, ``it won't be long.'' At the time he pulled the trigger, he heard, ``Ohmigod.'' It was the voice of Donna. He turned his head to the right. The bullet missed his eye. It bounced off from his skull and tore off his left ear. He knew he was going to faint. He aimed and pulled the trigger again. There was no more bullet. Then, he fainted.
There was a little fracture of his skull. He was in the hospital for ten days. He was then transferred to the jail. Later, Harry was convicted of three counts of first degree murders. He spent the rest of his life in prison.