Macaruined

-== Content Warning==-

This story contains Death, profanity, and disco music. Reader discretion is advised.

If you aren’t familiar with the song Stayin' Alive, it helps to know the beat for reading the initial part of this.

It can be found here. (Youtube).

-==_____________==-

The residents of Angelic Pastures Retirement Home were enjoying their afternoon naps until the lazy atmosphere was interrupted by the static hiss of the intercom. After a moment the rhythm of Stayin Alive began to ooze out across the collected residents. A lone slender figure in an immaculately tailored suit strolled down the halls belting out a tune, to the beat.

♫ ♫ ♫

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk

I'm a reaper man, no time to talk!

The void is cold and your bodies warm, I've been creepin around

Since you were born

And now it's alright, it's okay

Some even try to run away

You can’t hope to escape my hand

Cause I’m that sexy reaper man!

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother

You aint stayin' alive, stayin' alive

Feel your knees shakin, your last breath takin

And you aint stayin' alive, stayin' alive

Ah, ha, ha, ha, you ain’t stayin' alive, ain’t stayin' alive

Ah, ha, ha, ha, you ain’t stayin' alive!

Oh, even when you walk

Your mighty slow, I cut ya down, with just one blow

I’m so down damn good I don’t even try, soon into the earth you’ll lie

Got the solution to all your blues

I'm a reap’in man and I do what I choose!

You know it's alright, it's okay

I'll live to see another day

Not something all of you will say

Just one stop then I’m on my way!

♫ ♫ ♫

The song was interrupted as the figure, dodged a deftly launched colostomy bag which sailed past to discombobulate on the wall behind the tailored visitor.

“Your song sucks, the Beegees sucked and you're a talentless hack spewing garbage! Couldn’t carry a tune with a bucket and I’ve coughed up more artistic expressions,” an old man spat towards the singing figure.

“Smoke you, Benjamin, that was ace. I’m an utter delight, and I know you're full of shit, or rather were recently. That colostomy bag can verify that,” the well-dressed figure retorted as a couple of other residents chuckled.

“I know what you’re trying to do, and I’m not buying into it. I wasn’t born yesterday, or rather ever so to speak.”

“Get your boney ass over here and reap me already you mangy bag of dejected dog toys! I’m sick of this, I’m so tired, every day is agony. I’m 104 just let it end!” Benjamin yelled at Death.

“I don’t like your tone, Benjamin. I was in a good mood and you ruined it. Just for that, I’m going to postpone our appointment another week.”

“Ugh a week! That’s bullshit! Kill me now!” Benjamin bemoaned.

“Ohh did I say week I meant month. Have a great day Benjamin,” Death said, winking and walking past Benjamin down the hall toward the private rooms; as Stayin Alive faded out.

“Good afternoon Death! Haven’t seen you around here in a while. Who's the winner today? Is it my turn?” asked a well-dressed woman in her late 80’s.

“Mrs. Belvandeare! You’re looking spry,” said Death with a smile.

“By that comment, guess It’s not me eh?” she said returning the smile with a wink.

“Not today dear, I’m here on other business I’m afraid. I’d be more specific but I don’t want to be a gossip.”

“Say no more, window shopping it is hehe. Remember to make a purchase if you want your parking validated,” she chuckled with a devilish grin.

“Mrs. Belvandeare! My word, such gallows humor! ” Death exclaimed, before bending down and brushing the hair away from her ear, bringing his mouth close.

“I knew I liked you for a reason,” he whispered cheekily, before straightening up and readjusting his suit.

“You’re dressed up today, you clean up well dear. What’s the occasion?” she inquired.

“Flattery will get you far Mrs. Belvadeare, keep that in mind. Well, sometimes I like to go the extra mile when It is the time of somebody who deserves something better than the crusty old cowl. Not shaming the classics but, there’s a time and a place and that isn’t now.”

“And when it’s my time will you be all fancy and debonair as well?”

“I’ll be there with bells on,” he said, performing a minor courtesy and kissing the top of her hand.

“But I must go now, don’t want to keep my appointment waiting. They have been very patient already, in fact, they have waited all their life.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Mrs. Belvandeare joked.

“ Don’t worry I’ll be back in time for bingo,” Death said as he continued onwards to a small room at the end of the hall laughing dryly as he skipped along.

Mrs. Belvadeare laughed nervously, unsure if Death was joking.

–=--=--

Alone in the room, lay an old woman on a respirator. The television droning on about nothing in particular as the afternoon light crept around the thin curtains over the single window.

“Good afternoon, Meredith, It’s time,” greeted Death, with a slight bow.

“Good afternoon, Death. I knew we had an appointment but didn’t know when, and I see you got all dressed up for little old me. I’m flattered. I’d have put my face and jewelry on had I known we had a date tonight,” she smirked.

“Sorry Meredith, I’d have given more notice but you know me. Enigmatic and all that,” Death chuckled.

“No scythe? No dreaded reaper cloak, and sullen skull visage? You look positively elegant. This wasn’t what I expected.”

“Haha, ohh no. The scythe is just for violent sudden ends…or anybody who annoys me,” Death muttered, the latter half his eyes flashing momentarily with a hellish intensity.

“But I did bring you something,” he said reaching behind his back and pulling out a bouquet of Chrysanthemum from the air.

“These are for you,” he said sitting down beside her on the bed.

“Thank you, they are beautiful,” she said weeping gently.

“As was your life, but it’s time to move on,” Death led, taking one hand gently.

“Nobody had given me flowers in, well I can’t even remember the last time. Thank you. I won’t hold you up. I know you’re a busy man and I appreciate the gentle touch.”

“Always so courteous, that’s actually one reason I’ve decided to make this as easy as possible for you. You were always polite and friendly whenever I came around. Those macaroons you shared with me that one time were simply divine. I don’t really have a stomach or organs or any of the extremities of biology but I do have the ability to taste and let me just say the world will be lesser for not having you around to make them.”

“For all the time I’ve seen you around, I must say you aren’t what I expected. Now that we actually have some time together. The grim part of the Grim Reaper seems to be a mighty exaggeration. I can only imagine the burden you bear, poor dear. The thankless unending work, I want you to know I appreciate what you do even if not everybody does.” she said reaching over and hugging the well-dressed Death.

“Ohh Meredith, you are an absolute gem!” he exalted, unable to contain a smile as he began laughing. “It’s no burden to me, I love this! I, for lack of a better term, live for it.”

“But there’s so much death to deal with, isn’t it overwhelming sometimes? That must be stressful.”

“I don’t get tired, I do however get annoyed, and you’re right it gets stressful. Sometimes the living test my patience and I need to take a step back to make sure I don’t lose my cool and extinct a species out of reactive spite, I remember one time I was having a bit of a day and well I don’t want to get into it but those Kiwis shouldn’t have pecked at my robe. But anyway back on topic overall it’s not as bad as you’d think being Death. Loneliness, social acceptance, and exhaustion these are human concepts, they don’t mean anything to me. I’m Death, you humans project a lot if I’m being candid, which is part of the reasons you’re some of my favorites. I absolutely love people, well people, and murder. Murder is great, props to you humans for inventing that one, I never even considered it until I saw you all do it. That’s provided me countless moments of entertainment. Humans are so silly sometimes, it’s great fun.

Do you have any idea the asinine way members of your species have managed to off themselves over the millenniums? Intentional or otherwise. Every day is a new adventure for me. I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe, things that by sheer probability shouldn’t have occurred but sometimes It’s hilarious or just fascinating, I love watching the endless creativity you humans exhibit when it comes to self-destruction. Cigarettes, explosives, reality TV, global warming. It’s adorable.”

“May I ask a possibly stupid question?” she asked meekly.

“Of course my dear. No such thing as a stupid question. Actions definitely but question not so much.”

“So if you find them entertaining and often surprising, that means you don’t know how everyone dies before it happens?”

“Nope, and that’s the part of it I adore! I know the when, and where but the how is always vague and often cryptic. I have a general sense of what’s to come but the specifics are unknown even to me. It’s rather titillating. I do in fact love my work. I have to otherwise I wouldn’t be doing it.”

“That makes me happy to hear Death, also terrified on a level I can’t properly describe but happy for you at the same time. I’m glad you enjoy what you do, even if I can’t relate or understand it. I think you’ve got an undeserved reputation, you are not how you’re portrayed at all. So I have to ask, how are you feeling dear? You put on a good show but I can see past it. There’s something bothering you, and it’s not just my passing,” she gently prodded.

“Nobody really ever asks me how I’m doing. Honestly, I’m a little irritated. Benjamin was being a pilI, I was singing my own spin on Stayin Alive, and I thought it was quite clever and I was hitting all the keys perfectly. He threw a bag of feces at me and told me I couldn’t carry a tune.

After all this time I’ve never quite mastered the whole “music” thing you humans came up with, but I keep trying. I was tempted to annihilate him right there but that’s what he wants and I refuse to let him win so easily. Imagine it, me, Death itself bested at least in spirit by some old prick who hates the Beegees. What an absolute scandal that would be. Uggh, I’d have to reap all of existence to hide my embarrassment,” Death said with an exasperated sigh.

Meredith laughed heartily, earnestly, and deeply, before spiraling into a throaty phlegmy cough, which turned into a death rattle rather seamlessly.

“Sorry Meredith. This was supposed to be about you and here I am complaining about my petty gripes.”

“It’s no worry dear, I asked after all and it’s important to take some time for yourself. You need to value your time too. I’m enjoying our time together, how often does one have a chance to get to know Death after all? I could spend forever talking with you, I have so many questions and you’re quite interesting.”

“Point taken Meredith, like I said you’re an absolute gem. I don’t get to vent very often. I should take some time to learn music properly for myself. I’ve never had any regrets, and I’m not sure I have the capacity for it but you humans seem to be obsessed with them. Especially at the end."

“I don’t actually have anything I would bother you with. I mean we all have our little regrets and it seems so small compared to everything I’m sure you’ve heard. You’re very important and I don’t want to waste your time or bore you.”

“I am very important that is true, but don’t worry so much about wasting my time. You are as sweet as those macaroons you made.”

‘I couldn’t though It’s so petty and you’re so busy.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Death said leaning in and whispering into her ear. I’m not nearly as busy as everyone thinks. I don’t actually do that much truth be told. Remember how I mentioned the scythe was for violent or sudden ends, well it's also for those that resist and I have to hunt down or those foolish enough to rouse my ire. I’m actually more of an ambassador most of the time. Entropy does most of the work, after a while things just break down and I come by to put on the final touch to help things cross over, although I can delay or hasten those effects if I so choose, though only for so long. I cannot completely control entropy.”

“So you don’t actually kill people?”

“Not usually, I don’t need to most of the time but I have made exceptions. This isn’t one of those moments though, quite the opposite in fact. This is about as peaceful as it gets, which I’m glad for. Like I said I don’t always know how exactly how it ends.”

“Thanks for sharing those secrets with me, it makes me feel much better about this whole end ordeal. I think I’m ready to go,” she said releasing him and spreading her arms out, leaning back and closing her eyes.

“Do it, I’m ready to face the end.”

“It's already done,” he replied.

“I didn’t feel a thing and I didn’t see you do anything, it was painless. Thank you.”

“Once again you give me undue credit. You actually died while we were talking. Your body failed, that cough earlier was a death rattle, time moves differently when I’m around. You’re a spirit now. That’s your body on the bed behind us,” he said gesturing to where they had been sitting. She hadn’t even noticed they had moved and she was no longer an old woman. She was beautiful, the perfect reflection of how she saw herself in her mind.

“I had a good life. I will leave my regrets with my body and face the unknown bravely,” she stated with pride.

“On that note, before we go I’m curious as to the little regret you mentioned before. Indulge me if you will, and then we can get you crossed over.”

“It’s so silly now, I’m almost embarrassed to say it.’ She said blushing and covering her face.

“Trust me, I’ve heard worse,” he chortled in response, eyes rolling as he adjusted the cufflinks on his suits.

“I never accomplished my dream, it's a silly one I had since I was a young girl…” she hesitated

“I always wanted to meet a panda, but I was never able to. They were always my favorite and I loved them my whole life but couldn’t ever find the means to go and see them myself,” she said turning, hands held together as she imagined the adorable black and white wonders. Her face a painting of genuine love.

Death went still. His demeanor changed immediately. Silence filled the room, and the light from the window seemed to shirk away as if frightened or burned.

“Are you serious?” he stated, expression stoic almost unreadable.

Deaths breathing or rather what would have been interpreted as breathing had he lungs increased notably. His pupils dilated as he began to radiate with strange energies. The world around them seems to vibrate on an almost primordial level. The room suddenly filled with a wave of emotion powerful enough to generate its own light, black and white light.

“I LOVE PANDAS!” Death erupted.

“I can’t even begin to explain how awesome they are. This is a crime, no not is. Would be! I will not allow this travesty to occur,” Death swiftly took out what looked to be some form of arcane event planner, scoffed, and then tossed it over his shoulder into a trash can.

“Baah all that can wait. You deserve to experience the glory that is the panda! My favorite creature of all time. I cannot believe we came this close to having you crossover without that.”

Death's eyes lit up, as he stared into Meredith's. “We go now, to fulfill your dream!”

–=--=--

Meredith blinked and suddenly the two of them were in a forest of bamboo. The smell of petrichor lingered in the air as sunshine crested over a fresh dawn. Surrounding them was an embarrassment of pandas playing in the valley. They sat together and watched them, the wholesome sight filling both their spirits in ways no other experience could hope to emulate.

“This is the greatest day of my life, well umm not quite but you know. This is a real dream come true is what I meant to say!” said Meredith to Death.

“Aren’t they hilarious? Watch them roll around haha. Look look! That one’s about to fall out of that tree!" Death said pointing to the tip top of an insanely large tree.

“Ohh my god no! It’s like 50 feet in the air it will be killed!” she cried as the branch gave way and the panda plummeted earthward.

“No!” she screamed as the panda bounced off the ground, rolled a bit then walked away like nothing even happened.

“How?” she stammered in disbelief, forgetting she was a spirit casually watching pandas with Death itself. The bar for strange not fully registering for her situation.

“They are my favorites, I watch over them, and I’m not about to let them die so easily. Look at their lovable antics! They roll everywhere, constantly climb things they shouldn’t do, and are bears that eat trees, they have fur patterns that don’t camouflage with the surroundings at all. Do you think they would survive out here on their own? Haha no chance. Nature is vicious, pandas wouldn’t stand a chance without help. Most creatures know not to mess with them otherwise you might have to deal with me. Humans withstanding, but luckily most of you seem to share my affection for these wondrous critters. You didn’t really think they managed to survive on their own, did you? Ooh Meredith truly you’re hilarious,” Death laughed heartily.

“So you’re telling me pandas are Death's favored creation?” she said with astonishment.

“Well them and you now Meredith, I’m growing quite fond of your shenanigans,” he replied wryly

“If you think about it it's sort of obvious. I mean look at them and then me. Why do you think they are colored that way? I chose their color scheme, well actually sort of won a bet and picked that as a prize but anyway, that’s another story.”

“That actually makes a strange sort of sense,” she said.

“I rarely let one perish, even then it hurts my heart metaphorically speaking and I make sure it finds its way back to the world shortly after. If I don’t let them die once and a while the natural order gets suspicious. And I don’t really want to have to scuffle with nature more than I need to.”

“Aww that’s really great. You big softie. Secretly protecting them,” she beamed.

“I’m not a softie, trust me, Meredith, I can be quite ghastly if needed. The grim part is also well earned but it must be earned. You’ll find you don’t hear anything about panda poachers for a very good reason. First of all, you’d have to be an absolute monster to want to harm these majestic creatures but the actual reason is because, well do you recall how I mentioned I don’t usually kill but I’ve made exceptions? This was one such exception. I can admit I may have gone overboard on those fellows. I mean god saw what I did and then decided to take a vacation shortly after to collect their thoughts. Come to think of it I haven’t seen them since. I should probably go check on them when I have a chance anyway, not important. Long story short I have good days and bad, and one of those bad left such a mark that the universe itself became wary, That’s one thing I have in common with you humans".

“Not judging at all. I would fight for them too. I’d hold them tight and protect them with every fiber of my being,” She went to hug one and passed right through it, in a shimmering cloud of sparkles before reforming into her previous self. She sighed but understood. "Spirit, not much fiber left of the being".

“Sorry, sort of lost in the moment, that feels like it was inappropriate,” she said flushed with embarrassment. Death grinned, mischievously.

“Tell you what Meredith. I like you so much, heck I’d go as far as to say we might be friends at this point so I’m going to do something a little special for you!” Death said, smiling and giving Meredith a boop on the nose. A strange tingle flittered through her spirit.

“I’m going to give you a chance to live your dream. When I say live, your dream I mean live it. You’re going to do more than meet a panda in the flesh. I’m going to send your soul into the spring of life again and you will be reborn as a panda. You will be a panda in the flesh.”

“Wait is that allowed? Aren’t there rules or something?” she stammered out in disbelief.

“Allowed? I’m Death. I don’t have a boss, what do you think would stop me?

“Umm god maybe?” she ventured timidly.

“I heard somebody named Nietzsche may have killed them or something. I don’t think so though, I’m pretty sure I’d remember if god was dead, I’d have been there and that would be one for the highlight reel. Now that I think of it I remember meeting Nietzsche briefly, pneumonia if I recall correctly. That wasn’t very noteworthy but ohh the look on his face when I showed up, was priceless. Philosophers, theologists, and other 'thinkers' are always good for a laugh at least. You can’t imagine the reactions and expressions of those so convinced they were right, "Death chuckled, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.

"Good times . Anyway, after the panda poacher incident, I’m fairly sure god is scared of me, assuming they are still around there's nothing to worry about,” Death assured her.

“AAAAHHHHHHHhhh!!!!” Meredith screamed in joy. Crushing Death in a hug of such elation he couldn’t help but hug her back. They embraced for a good half minute before Death pulled away.

“You’re welcome friend, but as part of the deal, you will have to watch over the other pandas when I’m not around. I have a feeling I’m going to be rather….busy these next few years.”

“Of course, I won’t let you down!” Meredith said with conviction.

“Do you hear that?

“Hear what?” Meredith said, eyes still full of joyous tears, reeling from the realization of what was happening.

“Yolo… the mating call of the moronic and the soon-to-be maimed. It’s music to my ears.”

Death perked up a bit, looking to the west.

“I’ve got to go. A group of teenagers are drinking grain alcohol in the woods and they have a bunch of incendiary rounds and automatic rifles they stole from their parent's gun cabinet and some old propane tanks they are planning to use for target practice, but they are all too drunk to realize the tanks were partially refilled the other day in preparations for camping the next weekend. Oh snap, they have a container of fireworks too and they left it far too close to the propane tanks. This is getting better by the second. This is going to be good. I’ll tell you about it next time we meet.

I’ll be back to visit. We can hang out whenever I need a break and I’ll tell you more about the truth of the universe and well me, if you’re interested that is.”

“I am! Thank you so much! I’ll miss you, friend, until we meet again, I look forward to hearing your stories, and remember to take some time for yourself,” she said with a nod and a grin.

“Think nothing of it, it’s been fun for me as well, and I’ll take your advice. My wise friend Meredith. Once you’re born take care of the other pandas! I’m counting on you,” replied Death as he turned to go.

“Wait Death, I have no right to ask after all you’ve given me but could you do me one last favor before we part?” she looked death in his eyes with a mischievous twinkle in her own.

Death raised an eyebrow inquisitively, “What Meredith, even I have limits to my patience and I really want to see what happens to those idiot teens?”

“Benjamin said my macaroons were terrible and tasted like soot and had the texture of cat shit,” she said with a smile and a wink.

Death's smile grew wide, deep, and terrible. Eyes lit up with utter delight, the cold beauty of a dying star cradled within as his mind formulated a wonderful thought.

“Did he now? Tisk, tisk, tisk. It must be all that sugar in them, I hear it’s not good for you humans. Really shortens one’s life expectancy, must be why we met Meredith sorry to say. Good thing he avoided such decadent things I have a strange feeling he might just live to be 108. Now isn’t that a shame,” he said with a wink, before flicking his wrist sending Meredith's soul into the great beyond, as he disappeared in a flash.

A week later, a healthy baby panda would be born at the Chengdu Research Base in China, a baby panda who would develop a most peculiar fur pattern that some say looked like a tiny skull.

–=--=-

The air was dry and languid in the activity hall. The collection of seniors sat ready, hearing aids cranked to the max in anticipation. A carpet of bingo cards arrayed before the players, daubers circling above, ospreys waiting to strike as the nurse on duty cycled the bingo ball spinner with all the enthusiasm they could muster on a Thursday evening near the end of a double shift.

The low thrum of nondescript music emanated from the small speaker beside the caller station, and a couple of portable fans tried in vain to move the stuffy air.

Death pulled up a chair beside Benjamin and sat in silence.

Across the way, Mrs. Belvadeare raised a dauber in a salute to Death.

The nurse saw this and puzzled at the woman's gesture towards an empty seat continued with the game calling out the next combination. The sound of multiple impacts filled the hall.

Seeing Mrs. Belvadeares gesture Benjamin turned and noticed Death sitting silently beside him. One arm over the back of his chair.

“Knew you couldn’t stay away. I know you want me, this is it, finally it. I can feel the death in the air,” smirked Benjamin.

“So how’s this going down? Heart attack, stroke? Get on with it, I trip and fall? Whatever it is get on with it you pansy.”

Death didn’t reply, instead just putting a single finger to his lips in a shushing gesture.

His hand slid smoothly into his suit pocket and returned removing a single macaroon. Casually offering it to Benjamin.

“Macaroon? They are delicious,” he asked.

The next number was called, followed by a fury of dauber-based artillery thuds.

“Is that one of what’s her name's horrid macaroons? blah. Keep that filth away from me. I’m looking to end my suffering not extrapolate it! No, I’d rather die than eat one of those,” he spat in a low growl, laughing internally at his own wordplay.

Death shrugged. “Suit yourself,” he said chomping into the macaroon.

“They’re delicious if not a bit dry.”

“Now listen here you..” started Benjamin only to be cut short by another shushing gesture from Death, and then a gesture towards the bingo caller.

Another number was called and a woman stood up in victory! Bingo she yelled with the might of a lioness. Startling the man beside her awake, who had fallen asleep dauber in one hand, open water bottle in the other. He squeezed them both reactively, sending a gush of water outwards across the floor. Poor Mr. Heinrich who was walking by slipped on the slicked floor and fell towards the caller's table. The nurse reacted instantly reaching forward across the table grabbing the falling man by the scruff of his shirt and keeping him upright. She managed to prevent his fall, but the motion shifted the entire table forward knocking it into one of the fans which careened into the ground hard, the cover flying off, as the spinning blades faced upwards continuing to whirl menacingly. The sudden shift had unbalanced the bingo spinner and a handful of balls tumbled off the table onto the top of the fan. Struck by the blades they sailed outwards propelled like miniature shock putts toward the onlookers.

Benjamin stared in bewilderment as a pair of balls rocketed towards his face. Not the first time balls had careened towards his face but he hoped it would be the last.

The first struck him as the second bounced past.

This was it, finally, he thought as he felt the impact against his skull, through his aged paper-thin skin. He closed his eyes and waited for the end, but felt nothing more than a mild irritation were it struck. It was a bingo ball, not a musket round he would live, he realized with disappointment. Opening his eyes once again, he turned to complain to Death only to see what became of the other ball.

Another gentleman sitting a couple of chairs down was laughing at the flailing Heinrich and Nurse when the second ball found its mark. The man's mouth was open as he laughed raucously and the ball touched down on the table only once before leaping perfectly into his gaping mouth and lodging dead center in his throat. The man already short of air from the laughing fit, began to asphyxiate immediately.

“YES! YES!!! Did you see that?! That is a new one! Hahaha, that’s too good! Holy smokes, I did not see that coming. I didn’t know how this one was going to play out. All I knew was somebody in this room was going down, and my intuition was on choking but damn, didn’t expect that. Bravo, bravo. Honestly, I thought it might even have been you, Benjamin. Choking on a dry macaroon, but nope, too bitter to enjoy a kind woman's baking,” Death said standing up and beginning a series of emphatic opera claps toward the dead man. Death puffed up his chest and readjusted his suit.

“It’s good to be me. I love this job!” Death laughed hysterically. “Tough luck Benjamin,” he said in a condescending tone and patted Benjamin on the back. Benjamin stared, muted by rage, face twisting in disgust as he impudently tried to will his mouth into a response to once again being snubbed.

“Ahhh Benjamin,Bennjamin, Benjamin. Isn’t life grand?” Death smiled glibly, holding up a fist as he extended one mighty bony middle finger upwards to salute Benjamin. The other hand snapped its fingers and then Death was gone as if he was never there. A moment later nurses ran over to the deceased man who had bingo’d his last.

From the speaker beside the caller's station, Stayin Alive started to play.

===--== Authors Note ==--==

Thanks for reading my little story about just one of the many quirky encounters with our eternal terror lord and friend Death. Hope you all enjoyed it, and it brought some smiles.

Cheers,

Addison

This was inspired by the challenge thrown down by L.C Shafer. Check out their works and challenges.