Archangels

The sun is setting on the island of Capri. Three large young men sit at an outdoor bar on the beach. The first, with blonde curls and a soul patch, smoking a cigarette, sits up straight and signals for a waiter. On his left is a fellow with a beard and black hair slicked straight back. He sprawls back in his chair, grinning. To his left, across from the first, is the third one, leaning forward and looking down at the table, so that all you could see is the stiff brown thatch on the top of his head.

GABRIEL: Waiter?

MICHAEL: I love that we get to do this every year.

GABRIEL: This place is gorgeous. Perfect. Don't you think? Waiter?

MICHAEL: Look at that blue water....

GABRIEL: Look at the pink sky!

RAPHAEL: I love the sand. And the mountains.

MICHAEL: You would, Raphael.

A waiter approaches.

GABRIEL: Oh, good. Yes, whiskey for each of us.

MICHAEL: I'd like mine with a water back.

RAPHAEL: Rocks, please.

The waiter leaves.

GABRIEL: You done good, Raphael. Good choice. I like it here. We had a great day.

MICHAEL: I think it's interesting what they've done with it.

GABRIEL: This place would also be gorgeous without them.

MICHAEL: But they always do such ... interesting stuff with what we gave them.

RAPHAEL: I think they are screwing it up.

GABRIEL: Will you relax? Give them a break. The last thing we need is your commentary.

MICHAEL: Hey, I got a question for you: what is the best thing you ever created?

GABRIEL: Stars. That's easy, Michael. What about you?

MICHAEL: Waterfalls.

GABRIEL: How about you, Raphael? What's your favorite?

RAPHAEL: I don't know. A diamond, maybe.

MICHAEL: Good choice. Yeah.

GABRIEL: It feels good to leave our wings and halos behind and take a day off.

MICHAEL: It's your choice where we meet next year, Gabriel. Where do you want to visit?

RAPHAEL: Don't forget, it has to have a shoreline.

GABRIEL: I know. I know. I was thinking Aruba.

MICHAEL: Perfect choice. You can't go wrong with Aruba.

GABRIEL: I have a question for you now. What's your favorite story, from the time before he

came?

MICHAEL: You want us to go back a ways, huh?

GABRIEL: You must have a favorite story.

MICHAEL: Well, the flood...obviously. And the parting of the Red Sea.

GABRIEL: Makes sense.

MICHAEL: What about you?

GABRIEL: I was going to go with the whirlwind, but then you would ask me...