INT. COURTROOM - DAY
A JUDGE sits in judgement over the ACCUSED. Two LAWYERS stand and wait for the verdict.
JUDGE
It is my opinion that you are a singularly wicked individual. And, as punishment for your crimes, I sentence you to...read Crime and Punishment!
The others look at each other, confused.
LAWYER 1
I'm sorry, your honour, what?
JUDGE
Ah, well, it's my new thing. I've been really getting creative with my sentencing recently! Some properly ironic stuff going down here. Really mixing it up!
LAWYER 2
But...how is that ironic?
JUDGE
Well, you know...? Crime and Punishment? The novel? And this man's a criminal?
LAWYER 1
But that's not really ironic...
ACCUSED
Also, Crime and Punishment is a six-part novel which posits the theory that we're predetermined to commit crime and that even the act of confession and being punished for your wrongdoings does not necessarily lead to true repentance.
JUDGE
Yes, you see? It's very clever.
LAWYER 1
But this guy killed a man!
LAWYER 2
Yeah, properly. Stabby stabby--
ACCUSED
Or at least, that's what they're saying I did--
LAWYER 1
And you're asking him to...read a book as punishment?!
JUDGE
Yeah, but...I mean, the title? Crime and Punishment? I mean, how meta is that?
LAWYER 2
But it's hardly an appropriate punishment for a murderer!
JUDGE
Well, there's more to it than that. As well as reading Crime and Punishment, you must also...write a book report!
ACCUSED
What?
JUDGE
Yes! A book report! Summarising the main themes and plot points, and going into some detail with regards to the character relationships and the author's use of allegory--
LAWYER 1
(sighing)
Your honour, is it your wife's book club meeting this weekend?
JUDGE
Well, I--
LAWYER 2
And have you, once again, failed to read the set text?
JUDGE
I just--
LAWYER 1
And are you, once again, trying to give a criminal a sentence that will enable you to get away with forgetting to complete one of your chores scott free?
LAWYER 2
Like last month, when you sentenced that shoplifter to pick your daughter up from the airport?
LAWYER 1
Or just before Christmas, when you sentenced that fraudster to go to the big shopping centre out of town and pick you up three rolls of wrapping paper and some M&S vouchers?
The lawyers are silenced as the Judge raps his hammer on the bench.
JUDGE
Order! Order in my courtroom! You know I can hold you both in contempt of court, don't you?
LAWYER 1
Oh, yes, well, we didn't mean--
JUDGE
Is that what you want me to do?
LAWYER 2
Oh, no, your honour--
JUDGE
Ok, well then. I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement.
LAWYER 1
(sighing)
Arrangement?
JUDGE
Yes. Now how about you mow my lawn, and you drive my wife to the garden centre?
THE END