Turn Back the Clock
“Great news, my friend.” Death bounced onto the sofa with child-like glee after walking in the door.
Chronos sloshed the cup of tea he’d been holding while reading the paper when a femur struck him. He shook his head and smiled at Death’s enthusiasm for life.
“What momentous thing has happened this time?”
“I have an appointment in a few minutes,” Death said. “Come with me and I’ll tell you all about it.”
They arrived inside of a nursing home. The recreation room held a number of residents who called out greetings to Thanatos with great grim humor. Chronos looked around with interest as Death shook hands with people, working the room like a politician looking for votes. He wondered who was to be the collection.
“Who are you here to collect?” Chronos asked after several minutes of socializing went by.
“No one. I just stop in each week to visit. They consider me an old friend around here. But let me tell you about my news. Cleopatra has consented to finally go out with me.”
“What made her change her mind after all these centuries?” Chronos knew she’d rebuffed Death many times.
“Well, my friend, that’s where you come in. I need a small favor. See, I told her about the androids in the beach bar, the time that you traveled 400 years into the future? She said she’d like to go there with me. I need a couple of grains of sand from you to take her, though.”
“Oh, no. Don’t you remember what happened the last time I gave you some? You dropped them on the border between France and England.”
Death shrugged and tossed a peanut in the air, catching it in his eye socket.
“I don’t think the British mind being an island. They should have called it the Thanatos Channel though. Besides, I’m only asking for two grains this time. You have millions of them. Please?”
“I know I’m going to regret this.” Chronos fumbled with his hourglass as he muttered dire consequences for any future mishaps.
He fished out two grains of sand and placed them on Death’s outstretched metacarpals. One grain promptly fell to the floor and Chronos dove for it. A metal walker leg tromped on his hand while an orthopedic shoe stepped on the tiny speck.
Chronos and Death both froze as the wizened benefactor blossomed into a beauty, shaving 60 years off her age in an instant. Bemused, they watched the lithesome woman march out the front door dressed only in a housecoat and support hose flopping about her ankles.
“That one doesn’t count, does it?” Chagrin colored Death’s voice.
Chronos laughed. “No, but why don’t I put them in your pocket for you? That way you’ll know where they are when you’re ready to use them.”
“A timely suggestion.” Death linked arms with Chronos as they left, shouts of farewell following their exit.
Oh. Huge smiles. I love the speed with which that newly lithesome woman reacted. All power to her. I like Death stopping in to visit and chat with the residents at the Nursing Home. I see nothing good coming out of his date with Cleopatra though.
Tell me – has Death always been clumsy? I would hope that no-one describes the sweep of his scythe as ‘butter-fingered’.
Actually, he’s quite capable with his scythe, EC…fortunately. The tiny things give him trouble.
I don’t think any good will come of his date, either. Cleopatra can be an alluring woman though.
I love this line: “Death shook hands with people, working the room like a politician looking for votes.”
You are such an awesome writer, Laura!!
*blushing now* Thank you, Ciara! Death is such a personable fellow. He wants to be liked by everyone.
Everyone will want a grain of sand now.
I know I’d like one, Diane!
I foresee great trouble for Death. Just why does Cleopatra care about those androids, hmmm?
I suppose when you get to be Cleopatra’s age, Erin, it’s hard to find novelty.
Agree with Ciara. That was a brilliant line
.
Thank you, Isis!
Stops each week to visit. At least he won’t be a stranger to them!
You’re right, Alex. Besides, the old have a macabre sense of humor.
I agree with Ciara
Death’s date with Cleopatra will be disaster. Can’t wait to read all about it!
You know? I don’t think I ever wrote anything about the date, Carol!
I like Death’s enthusiasm for life, too. Nice juxtaposition. Maybe that’s why I enjoy him. Those grains of sand are potent. How can I get one?
I want a grain, too, Mary! Death does have a great enthusiasm for life.
I hope when my nursing-home days arrive I’ll be able to call out greetings to Thanatos “with great grim humor.” And “Death’s enthusiasm for life” is wonderful. Admit it, Laura, you love irony as much as I do.
I admit it, Ron. I do love me some irony served in a rich stew of sarcasm.
That’s the recipe for a very tasty meal.
Yum!
Ron & EC – You’re both my kinda people…slightly twisted and dancing to the conga beat of life.
Hi Laura .. that sounds an interesting tie .. I wonder if the Asp comes too – then what colour will they wear … all that kohl will take some finding … Chronos will need all his timekeeping for this one ..
Love the stories … Death and his pockets … cheers Hilary
I hope the Asp doesn’t come along, Hilary. Three’s a crowd and all that, you know.
“A timely suggestion.”
But of course it would be, wouldn’t it?
I love the “I don’t think the British mind being an island…” throwaway comment. You’re quite the Mistress of these, Laura. They’re part of the fun of these vignettes — and the art of them.
Why, thank you, Kevin! I’m not sure I can take credit for the art. Death and Chronos seem to feed me those lines.
Then, the art is in the listening and taking good notes.
You know I love these posts, Laura. Love that Death caught the peanut in his eye socket!
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
His mouth is way too big of a target, Nutschell.
Death catching a peanut in his eye socket makes me giggle all over.
Then my task is complete, Michael.