 Edgar Manning, a mystery writer, wins the annual Blunt Instrument Award for his year s work and goes to pick it up at a party. Ellery, who was Edgar s rival for the award, is sidelined because of a nasty cold. So Edgar gleefully phones Ellery and gives a blow-by-blow description of the award ceremony (including describing the trophy) as he leans back in his easy chair. But the phone call is interrupted by a sickening thud. Ellery calls out to Edgar but gets no response. Cut back to Edgar, who s now face down on his desk. His skull was shattered by ... The Blunt Instrument, the trophy itself.