Esther

[Vashti dusted her dress off, grunting as she did so. From behind her, the door to the mayor’s house that she just exited opened again, and Haman calmly walked out. Vashti sighed and looked up, still not facing him.]
;Vashti: What do you want, Haman?
[Haman grinned then walked around to the front of Vashti.]
;Haman: Just carrying out the mayor’s wishes, Miss Vashti.
;Vashti: [frustrated] And what does the mayor wish?
;Haman: His exact words were “take care of her.” And… well, that was it, really… He wasn’t specific in the least…
[Haman’s eyes glanced down to Vashti’s chest, and his hand began to move up to them.]
;Haman: Not at all…
[Vashti remained stone-faced as she slapped Haman. Haman held the side of his face in pain and shock.]
;Vashti: I don’t need taking care of. I am a grown woman!
[Haman pulled his hand from his face and looked at it. He stood up straight, regaining his composure. He then backhand slapped Vashti to the ground with the same hand he held his face with. Vashti fell, whimpering a bit as she hit the ground. Haman’s face remained calm but his mood had clearly changed.]
;Haman: Grown woman, yes, but a grown woman in a man’s world. [cracks neck] Like I said, Vashti… The mayor said to take care of you…
[Haman undid a button on his suit jacket, then reached under it. Vashti looked up just in time to see Haman pull a gun out from the shoulder holster hidden beneath his jacket. She looked up at Haman, horrified, but Haman on the other hand couldn’t have seemed less emotional.]
;Haman: But he never specified how.
[Haman fired the gun at point blank, blowing a hole right through Vashti’s head. Haman sighed, then put the gun back into the holster, buttoning his suit. He snapped his fingers.]
;Haman: Come on. Mayor Xerxes will want this cleaned up immediately.
[Haman walked back inside as two large men in black versions of Haman’s suit began to clean up the body. Back inside, Haman walked back into Xerxes’ office. Xerxes faced out the window, sipping from his drink.]
;Xerxes: I take it from the sound of your gun shot, she was dealt with violently.
;Haman: It was… an unfortunate end. But it was entirely her decision. After all, she defied you then rejected my more… polite offer.
;Xerxes: [chuckles] Your euphemisms and sugar coating never cease to amaze, Haman. You know, I will have to have a new wife soon. A force to ground me when necessary.
;Haman: And a force to please you when necessary, as well. [drops smirk] How long are we going to wait this time? It won’t be long before they find about Vashti’s untimely demise.
;Xerxes: All in due time, Haman. All in due time…