Story Time Again!
Yay, a second installment of muh story coming right up!. However, before I get to that, I have a little something else for you all, just to clear up any misunderstandings -
DISCLAIMER: all parts of the following story should be taken as fiction unless the individual reader personally decides that it is otherwise. No part of the story is seriously meant to discourage people from certain religions nor encourage them to believe others. These words are purely my own theories, spur-of-the-moment thoughts, and creative liberties. I do not believe in everything that I write, and neither should you.
Oh, and Sophie's not my character. She belongs to this guy... what's his name? Gaarder... yeah... Jostein Gaarder. =op
Thank you, and enjoy. =o)
Sophie's After-World, Part One: http://www.livejournal.com/users/00existence00/42727.html
“Sophie’s After-World”
(A story of unconventional religious philosophy)
“First things first.” Pother began to explain as he handed her a stapled set of papers. “You need to sign on the ‘x’ right beneath all the fine print you see there.”
“What does it all say?” Sophie asked him, taking the papers and the shiny gold pen he held out to her.
“By signing it, you’re basically stating in a written contract of sorts that you understand and accept the fact that you’re dead. You have to choose of your own free will to sever your ties with the world of the living in order move on into eternity. It also says that you won’t try to contact anyone still living without permission from a Being authorized to give it.” He said matter-of-factly.
“Oh, a contract with God. That figures.” Sophie responded sarcastically. “What if I refuse to sign?”
“Nearly every religion is a kind of contract with God as well as with yourself.” He answered her. “You’ve already spent the majority of your life not agreeing to anything where religion is concerned, and look where it’s gotten you.” He patted her back encouragingly.
“Purgatory.” Sophie shrugged and wrote her signature on the line next to the ‘x’. “I guess that means no séance appearances for me.” The ink from the pen glowed a magnificent metallic color. “What happens to the people who don’t sign?” She wondered out loud.
Pother thought for a moment as he carefully placed the signed contract back into the manila folder. “Well, most of the people who don’t sign the contract simply refuse to believe that they’re dead, which complicates matters greatly. They’re so stubborn about their mortality that their ties to the world pull them back, and they force themselves to wander the earth as lost souls until they finally realize that their time has come.”
“And then they come back here?” Sophie questioned.
“Mmmhmm.” Pother nodded in agreement.
“Does everyone come here after they die?”
“No.” Pother leaned back on his hands, stretched his legs out in front of him, and crossed his ankles. “Some people go straight to heaven, and some people go straight to hell. Purgatory is mostly for the indecisive, like you. There’s also a private sector of paradise reserved strictly for Old Souls. Of course, there’s a lot more to it than that, and I’m just one of the Gate-Angels of Middleground, so I don’t know all the secrets as God and Satan do.”
“So God and Satan are both real.” Sophie said to herself.
“Of course They are.” Pother responded easily. “You have obvious proof that there is an afterlife because you’re in it now. It’s only logical that We wouldn’t place the serial killers with no remorse right alongside the saints and Mother Theresa’s of the world.”
“How do I get to heaven then?” Sophie asked.
“Ah, isn’t that the age old question?” Pother grinned mysteriously. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
“Why can’t you just tell me? I don’t want to be stuck here forever!” She argued loudly, and her voice echoed around the empty white room.
“Why, indeed.” Pother gave her a defiant look. “No one can tell you, or anyone else for that matter, what to believe. You have to figure out the truth for yourself.”
“How do I know which religion is right?” Sophie whined. “There are so many!” She sighed helplessly.
“All religions have a bit of right in them. No single religion is all wrong, and no single religion is all right.” He paused for a second, and then added, “Except for Scientology. Scientology is a complete load of crap.”
Sophie rolled her eyes at him. “I may be indecisive about religion, but even I knew that!”
Pother laughed. “Well, since you’re so uncomfortable being naked, I suppose we should get you a robe so that you can set out to find the truth and move on.”
“Shouldn’t I just be able to make one for myself just by thinking of it or something?” Sophie asked, a hint of attitude in her voice.
“Nice try, but no.” Pother stood up and helped Sophie to her feet. “Privileges like that are reserved for those in first class only.”
“First class?”
“You know.” He said. “The ones in paradise.”
“And what do I get?” Sophie demanded.
“You get the benefit of knowing that you can’t die. Also, the fact that you’re not in hell seems quite a positive aspect to me.”
“Can I still go to Hell?” She asked.
“It’s possible.” Pother answered as he took her hand and began leading her toward the doorway of the white room. “However, it’s not very likely. Generally speaking, Hell is for people who have chosen Evil over Good, Satan over God… you get the picture. So unless you’re planning on choosing the Dark Path, I’d say you’ll be just fine.”
Sophie relaxed. “Well, that’s a relief.” She stopped suddenly and pulled back on Pother’s hand. “Hey, what about this sheet I’ve got on? I’m not walking out there like this!”
“I don’t see why not.” Pother stood to face her. “Nearly everyone else outside this room is wearing exactly what they were born in.”
“I don’t care.” Sophie responded defiantly. “I don’t want them to see me like this.”
“Suit yourself.” Pother snapped his fingers. “There you go.”
Sophie looked down at herself, noticed the new robe that had quickly replaced the sheet, and said, “Thank you.” She checked to see that the robe was fastened securely. “Is that all you have to do? Snap your fingers?”
Pother laughed. “I don’t even have to do that much. But I find that my theatrics easily impress the Once-Born.” He laughed again and took her hand. “Now let’s get you acquainted with eternity, shall we?”
He led her towards the big white door at the far side of the room, and they walked through the doorway together.