Death is no more than passing from one room into another
- Helen Keller
A Drink Before Death
The room was gleeful and was rather cozy and nice, and the bar area was not too crowded, with only three men sitting at the bar, a man in a white suit, a man in a black coat, and a man in a red jacket. The bartender, Orpheus, was working as the tableside radio was on the jazz channel and the men were each drinking a different drink. The man in the white suit was drinking a glass of wine, the man in the red jacket was drinking a bloody mary, and the man in the black coat was drinking just straight up vodka. Each of the men posed no threat and were all very nice men. Are you all enjoying your drinks over here? Orpheus said.
The man in the black coat put shot glass down. It is very exceptional, he said.
Well you do only live once... Orpheus said.
Life should be something to be cherished, because you never know when it could just end.
Don't mind him, he is a relatively dark person. said the man in the red jacket. May i get another? He then said sliding his empty glass.
Sure.
What's your life like? Said the man in the white suit. Is this how you plan to spend your splendid life?
I dont know. Orpheus said. Perhaps I am meant to be the person everyone needs but they don't know they need him. He started making the red suit man's drink. I never wanted to really be something. But God did not make me for greatness.
Do you have friends? Said the man in the red jacket. They would think that you're made for greatness.
I do have a friend, but sadly he moved away... Orpheus gave the red jacket man his new drink. I'm hoping to see him someday soon.
You should give him a call. Said the man in the white suit.
Nah. Orpheus shook his head, He probably has much more important things to do.
I'm sure if he was your friend, you would want to know what happened to him.
What happened to him? What does that mean? Did something bad happen?
I had a friend once. said the man in the white suit.
Where did all the time go? Orpheus was confused on where his life could go from here. Who were the nice men? And did their words even mean anything? What was the deal with the man in the white suit saying that something happened to his old friend?
Knock Knock Knock...
The knock on the door gave him a fright, but it must be some kind of salesman or his landlord. So Orphius walked to the door and opened it to find a white man with brown hair. Hello my name is Gabrial...
Are you here to sell me something?
Not really... He pulled out a piece of paper. Rather I have come to give you something.
Orpheus took the paper and then closed the door on Gabriel. He threw the piece of paper in the trash without even looking at it, he was not one for adventure. It was then once again in the blink of an eye reality was brought back to him.
How about another drink? the man in the black coat said.
What would you like? Orpheus said snapping back into reality.
Let's all make a toast to life. The amazing time we get to live in happiness and fulfillment. The man in the white suit raised his glass of wine.
Orpheus smiled while he playfully rolled his eyes before he held up his glass.
The man in the black coat and the man in the red coat both said for life the people were so generously given.
After they took their drinks in celebration of life the man in the red coat spoke, How about you ring up your friend who moved away.
Orpheus looked at him and replied No, it's not worth it...
How would you feel if I told you the truth? said the man in the black coat. Your friend is... how should i say this...
He is in a better place?
Oh no he is in a horrible place... Said the man in the red coat.
Shut up. said the man in the white suit. Where did your friend go? he then said turning to Orpheus.
To just settle down in a small town in Alabama. He left around 1964.
Well corect. Said the man in the black coat. But have you heard of what happened two years later?
No.
Your friend died. The man in the black coat started stroking his silver cane.
How is it you know this?
Well. The man then took off his hat. I know all of these things.
Your a strange man... Orpheus said before looking at the clock. Sorry friends, its closing time...
Well this was a very remarkable time getting to know you. said the man in the red jacket.
I must ask you... Said Orpheus, turning off the radio. What is your name?
The man in the red coat turned to him and said, You can call me Lucifer...
Interesting name...
Each of the men left and in the blink of an eye time fastworwarded into his sleep.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
Who the hell was that? It's three o'clock in the morning...
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...
Orpheus got up and walked to the door. Who is up at this hour? Was that Gabriel kid again? No it was not. Because when he opened the door he saw the man in the black coat holding his silver cane. Hello, i know this seems like a bad time. But i want you to come with me.
Why are you here?
I'm afraid it's your time to go...
Orpheus stepped outside and walked with the man in the black coat, side by side. They were walking down the grey empty streets, the whole world seems to have turned to black and white. They got to the end of the street when the man in the black coat said, Life goes by in the blink of an eye... He lit his cigarette. Did you read the paper Gabriel gave you?
No... Orpheus said.
The man in the black coat laughed. You never know who you might be talking to, or how much they could change your life... literally. They continued walking to the gateway. Majority of people I bring here dont have much in their lives, they never want to read Gabriel's letter. But here. He handed Orpheus a piece of paper. Read...
If death ever comes to your door
Do not fear the man you see.
If you wish stay live on more,
You must be the bravest you could be.
Tell him you seek adventures and gold,
Tell him you've lived in war
Tell Him you are going to make the most of life.
He will grant you a decade more...
In that decade, you must give your thanks,
You must seek the fullest life you can.
You should be brave for the worlds not blank,
And you can live past the golden gates.
He finished reading as they both arrived at the door to the great beyond. But across the street he saw something that caught his eye. A twenty four hour bar... Do you want a drink before we must go on?
A drink before death indeed.
YOU ARE READING
A Drink Before Death (Novela)
Mystery / ThrillerA bartender tends to his last three customers.
