The man sat looking out across the park, it was crowded. He was known to the police as a violent offender and a wife beater. In fact, he had run-ins with the police on an ongoing basis. It was widely known that he regularly beat his partner, but she never brought charges and nothing ever seemed to get done about it.
A little later, he sat in their tiny apartment humming merrily to himself. He stopped abruptly as she entered. The whole mood seemed to change. Within moments another blazing row struck up, with both of them making wild gestures and screaming at the top of their voices. Then it stopped as suddenly as it had started, he turned slowly and went into the corner and bent down, as if looking for something.
At first she just stood, frozen to the spot. It was as though she knew what was about to happen, but could do nothing about it. Then she began to shake; she shook all over. Her hands flew up and she backed off a little as he appeared holding a large club. She screamed even louder now as he approached her with it raised above his head.
With one mighty blow he brought it down on her. She fell badly, moaning and trying to get up. He stood over her now and began repeatedly bringing the club down onto her head. He beat her again and again and again… then, once more the whole thing seemed to freeze.
They both stood up; it actually looked for a moment as though Punch actually helped Judy get to her feet. Together they took a deep bow.
The tiny curtains jerked closed and all the children clapped. The place was filled with laughter… and… well… how strange is that?
Ha, ha! Pretty strange I think.