No Why
by John Whiting

Jacob has been sent to the attic in disgrace.

One by one family members come up from a party to accuse him of doing a disgusting thing.

He sits silently, listening as they reveal more about themselves and their relationships with each other than about what Jacob has done.

One by one, they go back downstairs, leaving the child alone with his father.

He attempts to create a spark of feeling between them, but wishes in his heart that Jacob had never been born.

Unable to reach his son, he descends.

Alone now, Jacob hangs himself as music and laughter are heard from below.