SYNOPSIS

New York, somewhere in Manhattan. It's hot in the city. Nat Ackerman, a succesful dress manufacturer, comes home from work. While he quietly reads the newspaper, a strange figure suddenly stumbles into the room. He introduces himself as Death and tells Nat that he has come to pick him up. Nat doesn't believe him. He feels fit as a fiddle and is not ready to go yet. Death doubts if he has come to the right person, after all it's one of his first jobs. Maybe he has the wrong address?

Nat quickly realizes the possible serious consequences of Death's appearance and starts an animated conversation with him. He seduces Death to play Gin Rummy. Nat makes a deal with Death: if Death wins, he will go immediately, if Nat wins, he'll get an extra day to live.

Night falls. Death tries to concentrate on his cards, but Nat uses the opportunity to question him about the Beyond. Death becomes nervous of all these questions. He looses his self confidence ánd the game. Nat throws Death out of his apartment, calls a friend and laughs about the bizarre incident: 'Death is such a schlep*.'

A ferryman appears that same evening. He pays Nat a bonus; his award for best play. But finally time is up. The ferryman escorts Nat to the hereafter to reconcile him with his death.

*schlep [Yiddish, from German: schleppen] / n. a stupid or clumsy person