The 4:00pm Rebels
Classes at the Yusupov Memorial Assassin School were done for the day, even Professor Princip’s after-school pistol tutoring.
Leon crept towards the back hedge with all the paranoia of youth’s first rebellion. He clutched the contraband tightly.
The others were already in the hidden grove.
“You got it?” Charles asked.
Leon held out the foil package. Charles opened it, breathing deeply.
“Rooibos, nice!” He dumped the leaves into the porcelain teapot.
“Scone?” John asked.
Leon took one. “Just remember, if anyone catches us, we say we’re plotting to murder the principal.”
“Of course,” Charles said as he poured the tea.
The Green-Walled Treehouse 
Always good to have an acceptable alibi. 🙂
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Ah, the discreet charm of the bourgeoisie. Nicely done, David
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I remember playing an assassin once in a film that starred Keanu Reeves. I had to wear very high heels and conceal a knife in my very tight jacket sleeve. OY!
Your essays David, always provoke memories of yore.
Really Love the title. It sets up the whole scene like a gunslinger coming into town. To quote Neil…nicely done. 🙂
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Like the phrase…nicely done. Says it all. 🙂
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There is nothing like a fresh cup of tea to wind down after intense training. I mean murder and assassinations are stressful.
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Very funny.
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I love this. Such a reversal of expectations. Great illustration too.
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PS This graphic is one of your best. I still think you should put them all in a little collection.
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Maybe I’ll make a poster of some of my favorites. Or a puzzle. 🙂
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I like the poster idea, like you made for me that hangs reverently in my closet next to pictures of Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie and Cary Grant…as you see, it’s in good company.
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Sounds good!
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Students just have to rebel! A fun piece that reminded me of my school days 🙂
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My high school was on the edge of the woods, so I was kind of picturing that too when I wrote it. Glad you liked it.
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Amusingly sinister, nice one!
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Thanks, Keith. Glad you liked it.
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I love the scone break in the middle of their caper. Entertaining tale!
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Thanks, Brenda. Scones seemed like the most posh thing I could have them eat, so it was nice and incongruous. 🙂
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Love this one David, sweetly sinister 😄
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Thanks. Yes, I was going for something like that.
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Amusing take. Murder with tea anyone? I would love to know what else these darlings get up to.
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Such naughty boys, it’s hard to know. Maybe croquet at midnight? 🙂
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I love this, great misdirection. And why shouldn’t the young assassin-apprentices have a nice 4 o’clock tea with scones, no less?
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Exactly. One cannot just breathe death and destruction all day long, right? 🙂
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There are some things that are best kept secret! Love the twist, David!
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Thanks, Dale. 🙂
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David, I love your cloak & dagger, rooibos & scones story. I’m a big fan of rooibos and brew a pot with peppermint every evening and drink the leftovers as iced tea the next day.
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Thanks! It seemed like a very non-skullduggery type of tea, although I don’t know if any would be, except possibly hemlock. Glad you liked it though.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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