Pawns

“I can’t keep doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“This!” The grim reaper lifted his scythe.

“When you say this, I have an idea what you mean, but I’d like you to explain further.”

“You know you’re a piece of work.”

“I try.”

“Look, today was rough.”

“Let’s start with what happened.”

“She was only six. She never was supposed to live any longer. But that’s not the point.”

“What is the point?”

“It feels wrong!”

“You’re going to have to forgive my ignorance but…I”

“I know.” The grim reaper. Cut him off. “You’re going to ask what I mean by “it.””

Botgore smiles.

“I guess. Christ. I don’t know man. I guess, it feels wrong to cut her life short.”

“But you didn’t cut her life short. You said.”

“I know what I said but you know what I mean.”

Botgore thinks for a moment.

“Have you ever spoken to Nabu? About how you feel?”

“Even if I wanted to, he’d know what we said and how it ends anyways.”

“True, but still.”

“Look, it’s not the same as with you humans. When he has a book for everything that has, is and will happen, it’s just….difficult I guess? To talk to him.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Botgore thinks for a moment. “What’s the alternative?”

“I don’t know.” Death says defeated.

“Have you spoken to greed about this? You two seem to be quite close last we spoke.”

“I did but he doesn’t get it.”

“What did he say?”

“He said what he always says. “We’re pawns on a much larger game of chess; a pawn doesn’t question the rules of the game.”

“He sounds wise.”

“You’d be too if you hoarded all the knowledge for yourself.”

“So tell me about this girl.”

Death sighs.

“There’s not much to say. She just started learning to play hopscotch. She was shy until last year. She finally made a friend albeit imaginary but still nonetheless.”

“And why did she mean so much to you?”

“Because she didn’t do anything wrong.”

“You and I both know that’s not your job to determine. Bad things happen to good people all the time. It’s not about fairness”

“But it should be!” Death slammed his scythe as brimstone spouted from his eyes.

“Maybe so. But it’s beyond our pay-grade.”

“So we just show up and do our job?”

“What else do you propose?” Botgore asks.

“I don’t know, it just feels like we should have more control.”

“That’s a valid feeling. Have you even spoken to your father about that?”

“Khronos?” Death looked to the ceiling. “Dad, I know you’re watching. Care to chime in.”

A moment of silence passes.

Death looks back at Dr. Botgore.

“See what I have to deal with? Imagine a lifetime of this.”

“So why her? Why not feel bad for…say the holocaust survivor who slips in the tub or the young football star who gets hit by the drunk driver.”

“I don’t know. It just feels different.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know! Why don’t you ask something else?” Death says frustrated.

“Why does the question upset you? Let’s explore that. I think that’s where you’ll find your answer.”

“Jesus. Christ.” Death sighs. “I guess….i…guess I know it needed to happen. It’s not about what I think. It’s all part of Nabu’s plan.”

“And does that upset you?”

“Yes it does, you know it does!”

“Why?”

“I guess because it seems unfair.”

Botgore thinks for a moment.

 “You know, I suppose some may say the same about you. Taking their 89 year old grandmother.”

“But death is inevitable. If I don’t do it, someone will replace me. We’re just…” death trails off into thought.

“Pawns on a cosmic chess board?” Botgore asks casually.