The stolen script

Jack wasn’t, for once, at his detective agency.

He was at the Annual play tournament.

He was part of the Young writers club and they had to write a play and run it to the audience. He had come up with something new.

As his master piece ended, there was raucous applause and the judges all gave a 10 out of 10.

In fact, everyone was smiling Except Ernie.

Ernie was part of the Young Writers but he’d lagged behind and he had just been kicked out.

Ernie waited until the applause had died down before he blurted out, “That script sounds exactly like mine!”

He showed his book. The first entry wrote April 31st. Under it was, word for word, the opening of Jack’s play.

Ernie shouted, “I reckon he’s stolen my book, see? Copied it down!”

The audience soured and you could hear some boos.

Jack spluttered.

“You believe him? You can tell he’s lying by-“

By what?