Time for a Change
The chimes played out a funeral dirge as Death answered his door. Chronos stood on the front step.
“Why so formal, my friend? Come in. You didn’t have to ring the bell.”
“The last time I walked in unannounced one of your Furies attacked me, remember?” Chronos shuddered at the memory.
“Just a slight misunderstanding. I assure you, it won’t happen again. But tell me, what brings you here? I was about to come over to your place.” Death ushered Chronos into the elegant mansion.
Chronos had to admit that the white marble floor contrasted nicely with the black walls and furniture but it still looked like a mausoleum – not a place of comfort like his own house. He wondered if the guest bed still had the rack of nails and sighed.
“I need a place to stay while they’re replacing my carpet. Could I spend the night here?”
“Of course, whatever you need. I can’t believe you’re finally getting rid of that green shag carpet. Decided to update your look, huh?”
Chronos smiled at the dig to his anachronistic way of life. “I decided it was time for a change. Besides, you’ve lost too many peanuts in it. The vacuum can’t find them all anymore.”
He spotted a new curio cabinet over on the far wall and walked over to see what new items Death was collecting. Expecting shrunken heads or the like, its contents puzzled him.
“When did you start collecting tuning forks?”
“Do you like them?” Death opened the glass door and brought one out. “I’ve noticed that mortals collect those little spoons when they travel so I thought I’d collect forks instead.”
“But these aren’t eating forks.”
“No, these are even better – they make sounds. I can use them to tune my motorcycle too.”
A Fury flew through the room just then, diverting Chronos’ attention. The beautiful woman flexed her claws in his direction before disappearing upstairs, her laughter skittering down his spine and shriveling parts below.
“Uh, they won’t be in my bedroom, will they?”
“I can have them stay away, if you’d like.” Death tossed a peanut in the air and caught it in his eye socket. “But tell me more about your redecorating. Are you putting down wood or tile?”
“Neither,” Chronos said, a pleased smile on his face. “I’m going with a gold shag carpet this time.”
“I’m going with a gold shag carpet this time,” says anachronistic (against time) Time. Chronos needs me, Laura. Not to save him from shag carpet and guide him to more timely wood or tile. What would I know about that? No, I’d comfort him in his untimely befuddlement. He doesn’t even know the tuning forks vibrating in time are his friend Death’s homage to him. You are so clever, Laura. With wood or tile, the peanuts would present less of a problem. Chronos surely has a timely vacuum to suck them up, so to speak. Otherwise, he and I’ll have to go shopping together for one — amazing the store help with our timeless innocence of all things new, different, and timely.
Chronos is sort of befuddled, Ron. I’m sure the two of you would have a great time together and certainly amaze any company you’re in!
Oooh, gold shag pile carpet. Be still my beating heart. I do love the relationship between Death and Chronus, and I really love how far behind (or ahead) of fashion that Chronus is. Mega thanks.
So glad you’re enjoying these, EC! No telling if Chronos is behind or ahead. It’s all relative, no?
No, not more shag!! One of these days it will come alive and eat him.
He’s truly stuck in the last century, Alex. I hope he doesn’t go for the “living” shag!
There is nothing worse than shag carpet. Ugh, please change your mind. Wood is much better. LOL
Yuck, peanut in his eye socket?
Chronos is partial to shag, Ciara, and Death’s jaw opens so wide there’s no challenge to peanut tossing through it.
At least the yellow peanuts will blend with the gold rug! I’m thinking gold shag would be the perfect choice for my living room – I do believe it would be perfect camouflage for cat barf.
I do LOVE these characters. *happy sigh*
Camouflage for cat barf…now there’s an idea, Cathy!
I’m a retro girl myself. I dig the shag. In fact, I’m going to keep an eye out for an orange couch or avocado fridge for him. Fun story!
Hah! I’m sure he’d appreciate that, Julie.
Yes! More shag! Excellent choice on Chronos’s part. OK, I’m really intrigued by the collection of tuning forks. Nice touch.
Death collects odd things, Mary.
At least the shag was avocado. I never warmed to that color. As to Death’s mode of transportation–motorcycle Harley–perhaps? . . . it suits him perfectly.
Yes, Death has a Harley…which he likes to park on Chronos’ shag carpet, Lee.
Gold shag! Yikes! LOL ;p
It’s the return of the gold shag, Laura. Chronos is such a trend-setter.
Chronos likes what he likes – LOL. Death is much more eclectic.
A very good observation of their personalities, Carol.
The number of houses in our town that still have shag carpet would scare you. And yes, food and stuff go missing in them.
Yuck on the food, Diane. I have this mental picture now…
*LOL* That was hilarious! Every time I see shag carpet after this, I’ll be looking for peanuts in it.
Beware of oil spots too, Christine. Death likes to park his Harley in Chronos’ living room.
Hi Laura .. crumbs – gold shag carpet … and sounding forks – do they ring as For Whom the Bell Tolls?
Death wouldn’t really having a problem sleeping on the rack of nails .. they’d presumably slide over his bones and then he’d stay in place – no rattling and rolling skeletons …
I see Chronos sent you over to find out about the time via corals …
I have to say the thought of a shag pile carpet takes me back to SA and the carpet we had in the house there … it and the house were sold years ago!! Shag carpet never to return ever anywhere!!
Cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary! Yes, Chronos and I had an interesting conversation about the corals.
The gold shag carpet took you down memory lane…I think eventually it will come back, just like fashions do. Maybe that’s Chronos’ fault…
LOL, I’ve just caught up on the adventures of Chronos and Death and I love them. Poor Chronos! I’m the world’s worst decorator but even I wouldn’t go with gold shag carpet. I’m looking forward to future Friday installments now.
Hi Julie! Death and Chronos are applauding your efforts and are quite impressed that you went back to catch up on their little adventures.
They promise more good times are ahead…including the gold shag carpet. It’s here to stay.