Identity Theft

“I’m afraid, Your Honour, the defendant has developed brain fog. We need to re-verify all data provided including his date and place of birth and places in which he lived.”

“That’s an unusual request, Mr. Prosecutor…”

“Yes, because the case is unusual. Mr. Xerxes claims that he has never visited London. He is unable to recall what was he doing on June 23, 2022. On this day without a date, on a back street, dusky shadows enveloped his being, and he was kidnapped.”

“Will you please throw more light on this?”

“Light is what was missing on that day, Your Honour, but calendars were alive. How can he not know that on the same day, London nights saw the rise of a star who looks exactly like Xerxes. Is it a case of identity theft, or a criminal trying to escape his shady past?”


dVerse Prosery

Prompt line

On this day without a date,

On a back street, dusky

— Charles Simic, from My Friend Someone

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