EROS: The Light Project

HEAVEN IV - Isn't it extraordinary?

 An icy breeze hit me the moment I left the train. The sky was dark and cloudy.

-Does day and night exist here?-I asked the Caretaker.

-Yes, Nathan. Here time flows, because it is limited for you-.

-I do not understand-.

-The Blessed of Honor have the right to live in the city of Ecstasy as long as they have followers among the simple blessed. The moment they lose success, they are destined to return to their state of blessed simples-.

-How do I become successful?

-You have to create a persona that people like and perform on the Star Show, which is broadcast on live TV-.

The Caretaker's speech settled a large amount of anxiety in me: now I had duties to perform. How was I going to win over the audience? I had never been able to dance or sing, and the afterlife was not a good place to start practicing.

The setting before me was very similar to Milan, with long buildings and skyscrapers stretching in all directions. It was a very autumnal atmosphere, reminding me of November evenings.

Huge neon signs stood out to me on top of the buildings:

HEAVEN'S STUDIOS: Michael's Battle.

Coming Soon!

MEXICAN LYMPH: the star of your dreams.

ARCHANGELS LIVE tomorrow

-So they charge here?-I asked in curiosity.

-Pay? No! You're in heaven, kid. There are no currencies here. Here people produce for the sheer sake of it. Here there are no such filthy things as taxes, tax evasion and insurance-.

-Oh, so I work without getting paid?

The Caretaker looked at me with a sullen gaze.

-You get paid by living in this magnificent place. If not, you can always go back to that retirement home for the elderly---.

-No, no, you don't need to. I understand-.

We arrived in front of the entrance to what appeared to be a giant luxury hotel surrounded by colorful tourist attractions: a Ferris wheel, the tracks of a rollecoaster and a giant swimming pool immediately caught my attention.

-Here we are. This is the Resort of Ecstasy, your new home-.

For the first time I sensed in my Caretaker's words the intent to be welcoming.

-You will be staying in that building- he said, pointing to the luxury hotel-like building; -here are the keys to your room-.

I grabbed a small silver key ring in the shape of a smiley face; engraved on its surface was the number 909.

-Thank you...-I stammered. I wanted to add more, but to be honest I was quite confused-I never expected to live in such a place. At that moment I seemed to be in a completely unrealistic dream, something too inconceivable to be accepted.

-Don't thank me. Just make sure I never have to come looking for you again. Goodbye-.

The man walked elegantly away, heading toward the station.

I stood staring at my room keys for a few seconds, still in disbelief.

Then I made up my mind to go on.

I walked along a narrow gray path that skirted the resort's attractions; every now and then groups of blissful people composed mostly of young boys and girls would pass me by. This must have been an area of Paradise reserved for the under-30s, I thought. However, seeing little groups of friends consoled me with the idea that I would not be alone forever: I was cheered by the thought that sooner or later I would meet someone nicer than my Guardian, less envious of Edith or less alive than Laura.