Zach wouldnt have thought it possible, but Friday was even hotter and had broken the towns all-time record. The heat was still brutally intense at five oclock in the afternoon as Zach sat naked at his desk, the drawing pad open before him. He now had only three hours left but the paper was still untouched. He turned to the mirror on his closet door and faced the midnight boy in the glass. If you know how to love... really know how to love... then how could you hate anyone? Finally, he picked up his pencil. He no longer noticed the heat as he worked, or the passing of time. It was only when his phone rang that he finally glanced at the clock. It was a quarter-to-eight. But that was cool, he had finished the picture. He ignored the phone for several more rings while gazing at what hed drawn. This was definitely his best! He snagged the phone. Yeah?” Zach! cried Eric. The hells going on? What took you so long to answer? Still searching my soul,” said Zach. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve got one.” So, are trying to lose it? Don’t you know what time it is?” Chill out, man, Im ready. Zach slipped the picture into a folder. Ill call the guy as soon as youre off.” Which is now, said Eric. Ill be right over.” You sure you want to come with me? You could be risking your own soul.” Don’t be stupid!” I’ve been stupid, man, said Zach. And probably not for the last time.” This might be the last time if we don’t hurry!” Thanks, Eric,” said Zach. The line went dead. Zach picked up the black-and-gold card and tapped the phones keys. Again, there was only one hollow ring. Hello, Zach. Cutting it rather fine, arent you?” I wanted it to be my best work. I hope you like it.” Im sure its exactly what I want. Shall we meet at the gates of Eternity?” My friends gonna drive me. Is that okay?” Certainly, Zach. It would be very unfortunate if you didn’t arrive on time. The contract is very specific. ...Your chubby friend, perhaps?” Yeah. ...Is being fat a deadly sin?” “Its not even a minor one, Zach. As you may have figured out, souls aren’t judged by weight. ...Arent you going to ask about being gay?” I figured that out already, said Zach, as the minivan squeaked to a stop in his driveway. See ya.” He put on his jeans, and his sneaks without socks, then snagged the folder and jumped out the window. Who did you draw? asked Eric, slamming the shifter into Drive and peeling off in the deepening dusk. Someone who deserved to be drawn. Zach leaned to Eric and kissed his cheek. I love you, man. And I like you, a lot.” Back at ya, said Eric, skidding the van around a corner. “But I hope you know what youre doing!” Slow down a little, dork. We dont have time for a ticket.” Its already eight-o-five, man!” And theres the graveyard, don’t have a cow.” It wasnt quite dark but the shadows were deep, and the yellow street lamp had already come on as Eric skidded the van to a stop. I dont see anybody.” You drove like a bat out of... well, you know... so we’ve got another minute.” Zach got out with the folder, and Eric quickly followed, tugging up his slipping jeans as he walked with Zach to the gates. Hello boys. The man, again in his long black coat, simply seemed to appear. Were not boys, said Zach. Of course not. My apologies.” Eric was studying the man, and maybe like Zach he felt the attraction. ...Or was it temptation? His voice came out a little husky: You know you cant make a contract with Zach. Hes only seventeen.” The man smiled. Ah, a lawyer. I know so many! But, as you know, counselor, that depends upon where the contract was signed. Would you care for the details, Eric?” “I knew it! said Eric and turned to Zach. “You weren’t in the gym when you signed it.” “Still perfectly legal,” said the man. “Your client was free to ask any questions.” “But he didn’t have the life experience to know what he should have asked.” The man shrugged. “I would think a budding attorney would know that ignorance of the law has never been a valid defense.” Zach pressed Erics hand. Nice try, dude.” The man raised an eyebrow. Come, Zach. Surely youre not having second-thoughts?” Theyre all first thoughts to me, said Zach. Eric faced the man again. You are also bound to the contract.” The man nodded. I, too, must answer to a higher court.” Then he smiled. “Of which I am an officer, appointed by the highest judge. ...I assume you have read it thoroughly?” I have, said Eric. Then you know what I require of your client.” Eric glanced at Zach in the rapidly gathering darkness. My client is to provide you with a minimum of one picture, drawn by his own hand, of anyone of his choosing...” Anyone alive, counselor. Beyond that he was free to choose. To make his own judgment, so to speak, of anyone who deserved to be drawn.” The man smiled again. “I’m sure he found a world full of those.” Eric glanced at Zach again, and the sweat now trickling down his face seemed to be from more than the heat. If the picture meets your requirements... and, um... Another glance at Zach. ...Im sure it will. Then my client receives a full scholarship to the university of his choice. Anywhere in the world. ...This world. Plus a generous living expense. And that is all he will receive with no other obligations to you, either here or in the... hereafter.” The man frowned a bit. You are not dealing with a minor official who tries to trick you at every turn. Of course it will be in this world. In this dimension, upon this planet, and during the present time.” He glanced at Zachs folder. If your client fulfills his part of the agreement, he will find a scholarship in his mail box, along with a fully negotiable check... no witchs money or vanishing ink... of an amount sufficient to cover his every expense. Even should he choose to live like a dissolute young prince. That is the end of my interest in him for the rest of his life and... He glanced at the rusted wrought-iron letters above the graveyard gates. Eternity.” Then he chuckled. Unless, of course, what he does with his life does not please the judge of the higher court.” When will he get the scholarship?” When he makes his choice of institutions.” How will you know that?” I will know. Theres no time limit?” “He has his entire lifetime to educate himself... and how long that may be is not in my hands. Those, counselor, are my obligations. May we now proceed with his?” Zach held out the folder. I hope you like it.” The man bowed a bit as he took it. Zach knew it was the best work hed ever done in his life, but held his breath anyway. Eric gripped his hand as the man took out and studied the picture. Zach hadnt known what to expect; maybe.... well, demonic rage? But the man burst into laughter. Oh, wickedly done, Zach!” Whats going on? demanded Eric as the man continued to study the picture. Did Zach fulfill his obligation?” I must admit he did. And in a most devilish way. In fact, Ive never been so flattered.”
Posted on: Wed, 09 Jul 2014 16:36:22 +0000
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