The Tribunal

Three Down and Two to go

     By the time they got to the lobby Allen was pleading to be let go, “Please, just let me go, if you give me another chance I swear I can do better. I don’t want to be dead, I don’t want to go to Hell.”

     “You were given a chance to show your truth,” Memori said from behind him, “you proved to be cruel, selfish, and revel in the pain of others. It is time for you to move on now.”

     Still begging to be released Allen followed the instructions of Memori’s hand through the lobby and right into the waiting elevator. Once in the elevator Memori stepped forward tucking a boutonniere – a narcissus crowned in bramble – in the button hole of Allen’s blazer. Memori stepped back into the lobby and nodded once at Allen.

     Allen’s shaking hand hit the button despite his best efforts to do otherwise. He let out a strangled yell as the doors began to close. Memori snapped his fingers one more time freeing Allen from his hold as the doors slid into place.

     Despite his outward appearance of calm Memori was a bit shaken, not by Allen Burman’s display, but by the fact that he was the second Patron to figure out that he was dead before boarding the elevator. Two irregular Patrons in one group. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was due to the higher than usual capacity, perhaps the extra time it took to send them on gave them enough time to reflect and remember. He’d have to mention it to Tempus. 
                                  ...

     Susanna was next. 

     He found her in the spa with a bright green mask caked to her face and her nails in the process of being painted. She snapped at the girl painting her nail who – as one of Memori’s puppets – said nothing.

     Memori doubted she would be as wealthy in her next incarnation. In this life her husband had used money to substitute affection, to pave over the strain that blossomed between them in the wake of their young son’s death. As he’d buried himself in work Susanna had soothed herself with expensive parties and the substances that had eventually killed her.

     In her next life she would probably be poor financially, having to work hard for anything she would have. But she would almost certainly have rich and fulfilling social and familial bonds. A life that would show her that every person had worth regardless of the job or economic position they held.

     He waited quietly, out of sight until her spa treatment was finished, he could afford her one last indulgence. When she emerged from the changing room fully clothed he cleared his throat lightly to draw her attention.

     Clutching her hand over her heart she let out a startled gasp, “How long have you been standing there?”

     “I did not wish to interrupt. I am sorry if I startled you.”

     She waved her hand dismissively, “I just thought I was alone is all. Do you need me to go to another,” she swallowed hard her eyes darting away, “activity?”

     He shook his head once, watching relief fill her face, “No, in fact I came to collect you as it is time for you to leave.”

     Her eyes lit up beneath her spidery lashes, “Oh finally! I have so much to do before the party!” She launched into a ramble about dishware, caterers, and decorations that lasted all the way to the lobby.

     Upon reaching his desk Memori lifted a small bouquet out of a vase; a stark, white lotus surrounded by bright, red geraniums. “When you step into the elevator there will be a glowing button, just press that and it will take you to your destination,” he told her, handing over the small bouquet.

     “Oh, this is lovely! So simple, but lovely!” she cried inspecting the flowers. “I still have to get your contact information so you can make those arrangements.”

     “It is only a hobby,” he informed her, “I don’t make arrangements to order.”

     “I’m sure I can change your mind,” she assured as he herded her towards the open elevator doors, “just name your price.”

     “I’ll contact you if I have the time,” he said to placate her.

     She twirled the flowers between her fingers as she stepped onto the elevator, “It would be a shame for all your talent to go to waste.”

     “I don’t think it can be considered a waste as long as I find enjoyment in what I do.”

     Susanna paused, her finger extended ready to hit the button, “I suppose you have a point,” she admitted, “but still, the offer stands.” She pressed her finger against the glowing button and the doors slid shut

                                  ...

    With the only normal Patron of this rotation so far having departed Memori leaned heavily against his desk unaware that he was being closely watched.

     Dennis peered down the hallway, taking in the whole exchange just as he had with Allen. He had heard the older man shouting and followed the ruckus. This had led to him overhearing a large portion of a very strange conversation between their host and the abrasive man.

     Now having watched a second person disappear into the elevator Dennis slowly backed further down the hall away from the strange man leaning against the desk. Fear pulsing through him he set off in search of the only person he knew was still there; Del.

     He found her alone in the small indoor courtyard watching the koi in the pond.

     “Del!” he called, startling her. “Del, what is the last thing you remember before coming here?” he asked, panting slightly as he jogged over to her.

     Her big brown eyes blinked thoughtfully, “You know, I can’t quite remember. Ever since I got here everything has been a bit fuzzy.” She turned back to the koi, “I think I was at home. I live with my aunt and uncle. My uncle was angry about something – he’s always angry about something – then I was in an elevator,” she shrugged. “I’m not sure how it happened.”            

    Dennis pulled his glasses off his face, swiping at the lenses with the bottom of his tee shirt, “I can’t remember either. One minute I was walking to class with my girlfriend, the next I was here.”

     “I feel like I’ve been here before though,” Del admitted looking around. “Like déjà vu, it’s like I saw it in a dream once. I’ve been remembering other things too, but they don’t make sense, it’s like some else’s memories were put in my head. It started when I got here but they’re getting stronger and less blurry the longer I’m here.”

     Dennis pushed his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose and studied her closely, “Do you think we’re dead?”

     Del’s eyes flit up to his, finding apprehension in his dark irises, “No, we can’t be.” She thought back to the madwoman’s activities, “We wouldn’t be feeling so much pain if we were dead.”

     He bit his lip, “Allen’s gone. That weird blue haired guy forced him into the elevator while he was shouting about being dead and going to heaven.”

     “Allen’s had a temper since we all got here,” Del reasoned, going back to watching the fish in the pond. “Maybe he finally snapped.”

     “Susanna’s gone too.”

     That got her attention, “What? Really?” worry curled behind her ribs.

     Denis nodded his eyes dropping to his converse, “Yeah, I kept following the blue guy after Allen disappeared, he got Susanna next. She didn’t put up a fight though.”

     “So we’re the only ones left?”

     “Yeah. We’re it.”