Take revenge on someone as the climax to a joke (3-3)

I believe the answer is:

pay-off

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'take revenge' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for pay-off that I've seen before include "Final settlement - backhander" , "Result" , "Return on an investment" , "Deserved reward" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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