money well spent

"I still don't see why you called for me, Mr. Stevens."

 

"Of course not," the old man replied. "I havn't told you yet. I thought it merely better to exchange plesantries for a few moments, before we got down to the real business at hand."

 

"Which is...?"

 

"In due time, young man. First, I want you to tell me what you believe about God."

 

"I don't bother myself with Sunday School stories and other nonsense. I believe each man is his own God, and only the truly superior ones are worthy of being worshipped."

 

"Ah, the folly of youth. How many young minds have passed to darkness. Heed my words, young man, the more years that have passed by my eyes, the clearer the face of God becomes."

"What is the point, Mr. Stevens?"

 

"Sin, young man, unforgivable sins."

 

"There is no sin, there are only actions that must be done."

 

"And that is why I have called you, above all of the other men in your field. You work without moral boundaries, without the fear that make other men contemplate their deeds."

 

"I accept only jobs that come with the appropriate pay. As long as I am compensated fairly, there is no reason not to give myself freely to any job."

 

"Did you know, that many years ago, the wealthy could pay to have their sins absolved. They would pay the church, and the path between them and God would be clear."

 

"I am no preist, sir."

 

"Obviously, you have a far greater purpose. You are charged with cleansing the spirits from this realm who have ceased to serve their purpose. Keeping people from giving themselves to sloth, by mercifully removing them."

 

"Who did you have in mind, Mr. Stevens?"

 

"You will find all the information you need in this packet. The date, time, everything worked out to exact detail."

 

"And the payment?"

 

"As you know I am a very wealthy individual. I doubt someone who could not afford your services would be able to contact you. Inside you will also find a check from me. Everything is filled out as it should be except for the amount. I leave it up to you to decide what is satisfactory."

 

"Very well, Mr. Stevens."

 

The next Monday's paper had a breif obituary of a man named Randal Stevens. The article dwelled more on his rise to power in the business world and old accusations of embezzlement from his charities. It only breifly glanced at the snipers bullet that had pierced his skull as he exited the cathedral the previous morning. As people were sitting down to read the story of poor Mr. Stevens, a young man was despositing a check from the recently deceased Mr. Stevens for an undisclosed amount.

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

You are a highly-skilled writer. I can't quite figure out why Mr. Stephens had himself "off-ed," but I'm not good at finding meaning unless it's well laid out for me. A great writing job, though.