Death Pays a Visit But Fucks Up
by Gita M. Smith
Death paid me a visit today. I said, "How do I know you're the real Death and not some second rate punter who will just make me sick?"
Death waved a veiny arm out my kitchen window, and a dowager squirrel fell from the crepe myrtle tree into the birdbath.
"She was old when we moved in here ten years ago," I scoffed. "I could have told you myself that this cold snap would finish her off."
Death pointed at the rib-eye steaks thawing on my kitchen counter and they shriveled, emitting a rank odor.
"Pretty good, but not yet what I'd call definitive proof," I said.
"A reaper-in-training could have done that."
"Get in your car and drive me over to the Wal-Mart," Death commanded.
"Yes, your Grayness," I replied, quickly heading to the driveway.
Traffic was light, and we arrived in no time flat.
"Watch this," Death said. He exited my car without even opening the door, glided over to a robust young man collecting the shopping carts from the cart corral, and Zap! The fellow careened into unconsciousness.
"Ha!" I yelled. "You used a taser! I saw you! You're not the real deal. You're a fake!"
With that I jerked the wheel and peeled rubber out of there.
I know I can't out run Death. I know He will locate me faster than a scorned ex-wife with GPS. It's just that I expected more finesse than cheesy tricks.
I mean, we all hope for a little dignity at the end, don't we?
We get prepped for the big finale, and we don't want the guy who turns up with the scythe to be Jo-Jo the dog-faced boy.
We want the Reaper Himself, with the full sweep of history on his resume. Dammit, I want the cold hand that touches me to be the same hand that touched Moses and Jimi Hendrix.
You get a 'fave' for the title alone! Really enjoyed this. Any piece that drives the Devil to Walmart has my approval. I like quirky and unique. I like this.
I notice that there were 33 views but just one comment. Is that strange or normal?
OK You got me. I read this when I wasn't logged in, but logged in to comment. Love this. Inspired me to go back an rework a piece that's not working. In fact, the only line in my piece that I do like has to do with the grim reaper climbing my trellis with a rose between his teeth. Anyway, no- we don't want Jo-Jo the dog-faced boy,(THAT made me laugh out loud) the Vice Reaper, the Dean of Reapers, or any other second string wanna be. We want the Head Honcho himself, the one who tapped Jimi Hendrix on the shoulder. Fave!
Hi Gita, Great title! The line that runs through this piece begins with the open and drives straight to the close with finesse and humor. I dig it! Bravo!
Oh, by the way, more views than comments seems to be the norm.
Gita: You have a wicked sense of dark humor yourself! Good job! (+ fav, from the east side of Georgia) strannikov