Write a retelling of the story of a cask of amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe. (In the classic story, Montresor lures Fortunado to a tunnel and chamber, then walls him off down there.)
In this retelling, Montresor is accompanied everywhere by his faithful companion: an energetic, playful and mischievous capuchin monkey named Mr. Throttlebottom.
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"The Cask of Retribution"
The catacombs of the Montresors were as ancient and winding as the vendettas they held. Montresor, with a heart full of revenge and a flask full of wine, lured Fortunato into its depths. On this chilling evening, however, he wasn’t alone in his endeavor. Hopping alongside him was Mr. Throttlebottom, his faithful capuchin monkey, known for his zest for mischief.
Every now and then, the echoing corridors of the catacombs would be filled with Fortunato's cough or the clinking of the wine glasses. But in between those sounds, one could hear the playful chatters and antics of Mr. Throttlebottom. He'd occasionally swipe Fortunato's jester hat or mimic his toasts, adding an eerie sense of humor to the grim setting.
As they journeyed deeper, Montresor cleverly kept Fortunato's focus by feeding his ego and plying him with more wine. Mr. Throttlebottom, meanwhile, appeared to be content, darting in and out of nooks, collecting bones, and engaging in what seemed like harmless play.
When they reached the destined niche, Montresor's plan unfolded. He chained Fortunato, and as he began the grim task of bricking him up, Fortunato's muffled protests went from anger to pleas for mercy. Montresor, consumed by his task and the intoxication of vengeance, failed to notice what Mr. Throttlebottom was doing behind him.
With the final brick placed, sealing Fortunato's fate, Montresor paused to relish in his success. But as he turned to leave, his triumph was short-lived. He was met with a shocking sight: a fresh wall behind him. In his quest for revenge, Montresor had failed to notice that Mr. Throttlebottom, with the same bricks and mortar Montresor had brought, had been constructing his own barrier.
Montresor was trapped. Between him and Fortunato was just a chamber, and now both were victims of walls – one of revenge and the other of playful, yet ironic, retribution.
Mr. Throttlebottom, seemingly aware of his own devious handiwork, gave one last chittering laugh, grabbed Fortunato's jester hat, and disappeared into the darkness of the catacombs.
In the end, the machinations of man were outdone by the mischief of a monkey. The universe had its way of restoring balance, and in the grim depths of the Montresor catacombs, justice was ironically served by the most unexpected of agents.
Prompt Used.
