You’re Wanted Outside

“This rush to live is just a rush to die.”
— Judica Cordiglia

“You’re wanted outside Mr. R.,” announced his secretary.

”Who is it?” answered Mr. R.

“He says he’s called Mr. La Mort,” she said.

“I don’t know anyone by that name. What does he want?” asked Mr. R.

“He says he has a matter pending with you, and he added that he does not know you, but that you have heard of him,” the secretary offered.

“Well, tell Mr. La Mort that I do not know him, I have not heard of him, nor do I have matters pending with him,” stated Mr. R.

“Mr. R., Mr. La Mort insists that you receive him, he has come a long way to address something of capital and urgent importance,” she replied.

“Miss, tell Mr. La Mort to go to hell, I’m busy. Also tell him to get out or I will have him kicked out,” said Mr. R., furious.

“Mr. R., Mr. La Mort says if he does not talk to you today, he will have to do so some other day, that he was sent from France to address a matter of life or death and that he will pursue you until he can talk to you.”

“Well, tell him to come in,” replied Mr. R.

“Good morning, Mr. R.,” Mr. La Mort said ceremoniously.

“Let’s leave niceties aside, tell me what you are here for, and quickly,” replied Mr. R.

“Actually you have not given me the importance and respect that I deserve because I gave my name in French, but translated into your language it means Death, in other words, I am Mr. Death,” Mr. La Mort looked up and smiled smugly.

“Mr. La Mort, I’m too big a boy to listen to delusions. And, besides, if you were death, I cannot understand why you would be sent from France when they could send a representative of a branch office that death has in my country,” stated Mr. R.

“In fact, there are representatives here in your country, but it happens that the most senior representatives solve cases of sophisticated evil,” added Mr. La Mort.

“I do not consider myself to be a case of sophisticated evil, I meet all the standards that are required of a good citizen in society,” said Mr. R.

“And therein is the sophistication of your evil; at first glance, you are an honorable and powerful man who is leading a rather dangerous parallel life. I guess its leitmotif is power and this has led you to make the lives of many people miserable, your selfishness had no limit, you have even hurt your family, have psychologically abused your wife and children, who do realize who you are,” said Mr. La Mort.

“Things have not been as you think, Mr. La Mort. Do not hope to now make me believe that my wife and children are victims, you should also know that women like to suffer and, unfortunately, in this life it is suffer or be made to suffer, that was what I was taught when young by suffering. Of course, I can’t show myself as I am, no-one does. In a certain way we are all hypocrites, we are all complicit in the rot. Let me say that it seems unfair to have chosen me to pay for the mistakes of society, which taught me that being good and pure does not get anyone anywhere, I would be trampled at will and, at this point, I would certainly not allow it,” explained Mr. R.

“You’re wrong, but I assure you I will not make any effort to change your point of view. The truth is that you would not be able to understand me, but let me leave you with this phrase: The common man thinks that good in small measures has no value, then he stops doing it. He also thinks little sins do not harm, then he continues with this habit of committing them; so his sins accumulate until it is no longer possible to conceal them, and his guilt becomes so large that it can no longer be dissolved.”

“This phrase, Mr. R., has nothing to do with religion, the term sin refers to actions and selfish people that are detrimental to others. Sometimes it also means ignorance, because in ignorance of the laws of nature, a man can lash out against the rights of another,” said Mr. La Mort. He continued, “I was sent to accompany you at all times, monitor your actions and make you suffer for your ignorance.”

“Your death was scheduled to occur within ten years, during which time I must make you atone; otherwise, if you do not accept my pleasant company, I can deliver a catalog to you of horrific deaths so you can choose the one you prefer. Almost all are quite slow and painful deaths,” summarized Mr. La Mort.

“I would not be able to stand your company, your mere presence reminds me of all the damage I have caused. I prefer a disastrous death so that the torture will last days, not years,” decided Mr R.