On a rainy March day, without any say,
I was sent to this place for my crime.
The old man had to go -- that much I know --
So I wait 'til the dreaded time.

Haven't eaten in days, so my body's quite thin
And my teeth are so rotten I dare not to grin
For if I do the dark man will not feed me again.

I'm growing quite ill -- and this I can prove --
Too hungry and thirsty to bother to move.
Even to kick a large black rat away --
For I was locked here 'til the dreaded Doomsday.

Footsteps are ringing throughout the dark hall
And out comes a cackling, evil man's call.
'Tis the dark man -- by his voice I can tell --
And he stops almost smugly in front of my cell.

"So what today, Robert? A whip on the back?
Or perhaps we will try the comfortable rack!
Shall we let you live or die?
Shall we gouge out your last eye
And make you carry it in a glass?
Just like your victim, Edward Kass?"

"No, no! Please, sir! Spare my life!
I have two children and a wife!
Well....not really. But I might someday!
So please spare my life until Doomsday!"

He laughs -- a cruel, wicked laugh --
And tosses me one piece of cheese and a half.
Ah! Food! The first I have seen!
But the rat snatches it, though he's much less lean.

Ahh!! I cannot take this anymore!
My bones are brittle and so very sore!
A scream pierces the dead, silent air.
The dark man's killed another without any care.

So now I am dying, all just from trying,
To kill an old man in his sleep.
Tortured and starving, going insane,
And now and then I often weep.

So here I am suffering, wasting away,
Locked in this chamber until Doomsday.
Now I know that CRIME DOESN'T PAY!!

THE END?