8====D of teh day 03/25/08
Earth was even more filthy and confusing as Jesus had remembered it, even with time frozen. The last time he’d been here, he was a rock star. Those were good times…burning his guitar at Monterey, playing The Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock…
He had no idea how long Adam would be in Hell. But he didn’t intend to spend that time sober. He simply walked, knowing that soon enough he would find what he needed. A little frown or sigh of disgust would register every time he saw a church, or anything related to religion. They never listened. He’d tried to set the record straight once, even wrote a few books to contradict the effects of the bible debacle. What did he get for all his troubles? The Soviet Union, and Soviet China.
“Lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink…” he muttered.
Soon enough, he found what he was looking for. A sweet old woman, in the process of rolling a joint to fight the pain and nausea of her fatal disease. It was within his power to unfreeze time in a small area, he did so now. The woman was quite shocked to see him.
“Jesus Christ!” She exclaimed.
“Yes my child, it is I. I was hoping you’d be willing to share some of that herb?”
“Oh, what? This? I only smoke it because of the cancer. Why would you want something like that?” She eyed him suspiciously.
Jesus merely smiled and touched her forehead.
“Edna Grey, you’ve been a gentle soul your entire life. You’ve never harmed another, and strived to help all those you could. I cure you of your cancer, and assure you that soon, you will be in my father’s kingdom.”
“My cancer! It’s gone!”
“Yes.”
“Did you mean it, about heaven?”
“Of course I did. Soon, all the pure souls will be returned to my father. I shall remain behind, to help those who are still lost.”
“And my husband?”
“Is waiting for you now. Along with the rest of your family. Except of course, for your uncle Albert.”
“Well, I wouldn’t expect to see him there. Bastard.”
“Even he may one day find his way into the light, Edna. Now, speaking of light…”
She looked down at the now-rolled joint between her fingers.
“Oh yes, this. I suppose I don’t need it anymore, do I? I have a whole bag of this stuff, you can have it if you want it. I didn’t know you were into this sort of thing, Lord.”
“You’d be surprised how many things people consider sins are actually quite all right,” he said, taking the joint from her and lighting it with his finger, “And please don’t call me ‘Lord’.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cain and Michael were still in the office, though not much was being said. Michael decided to ask for clarification one more time.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go back?”
“It’s a moot point now, old friend.” The response had not come from Cain, but from the now opening door. Wonder of wonders, Adam walked in, followed by Lilith, and the Dark One himself.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Michael asked, with a touch of frustration.
“Father?” Was Cain’s only response, wonder softening his voice.
“Yes Cain, it’s me. And I am here on official business from the father of us all.” He handed the scroll to the prince of lies. “You’re pardoned. You and all of your grubby little rebels. Effective immediately, you are officially invited to return to Heaven.”
Satan laughed with delight. “Oh this is too rich! Pardoned? The war is over? And I suppose the little pacifist has to remain behind?”
“Yeah, that’s right Luce. I’m left out in the cold again. You gonna stay here and gloat, or you gonna go spread the good news?”
Without further comment, but with a huge grin, Lucifer turned and left the room. They could hear him singing in the hall:
“I’ve seen your face a thousand times
Every day we’ve been apart
I don’t care about the blah blah blah
Papa I’m comin hoe-oh-ome
I’m comin ho-oh-ome”
The rest of the company had been too stunned to speak during this exchange. It was Michael who finally broke the silence.
“What about the rest of us?”
“Michael, you of course may return with the others, but I’d like to speak with you privately in a moment. Cain, my eldest. The first murderer. You are the hardest, coldest human soul I have ever known. I can think no one better to run this place in my absence.”
Cain smiled. “Me? Run Hell? I’d be delighted.”
“Excellent. I’m thinking of some improvements. We could get some computers down here, make everything automated. Really speed up the whole redemption process.”
“Sounds good to me, I’m sure we have a few tech suppose guys down here…”
“Excellent. Lilith, My wife, my love. You are as cruel, deceitful and murderous as anyone I’ve ever met. These skills will serve you well, when you take over my work on Earth. As my responsibilities have increased, I’ll need a worthy replacement.”
“Me? On Earth? With You?”
Adam smiled. “You’re the only one I’d want at my side.”
Her response was to kiss him deeply. He ran his fingers through her hair.
Cain rolled his eyes. “Do you have to kiss that whore in front of me?”
Lilith glared at him, but Adam smiled diplomatically. If you two would excuse us, I’m sure you both have preparations to make, and I must have words with Michael.”
The two departed, but could be heard bickering in the hall. Adam sat down at the table, opposite Michael.
“Of all God’s angels, you were always the most loyal. It is said you killed nearly 1,000 rebel angels during the war. You have never questioned the will of our maker, and have enforced his edicts with an iron fist since the dawn of time.”
Michael regarded him coldly. “You have a point?”
Adam smiled. “How were you rewarded for this loyalty? You were the first, and so far only angel sent to hell in an exchange program. While you wallow in misery and paperwork down here, a vile demon sits at the right hand of God. Surely, that can’t sit right with you.”
Michael sighed. “Of course it doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve been down here 400 years. But what’s to be done about it?”
“Spy for me. I’ll need someone to keep an eye on developments upstairs.”
“But won’t are father know? He is omniscient, after all.”
Adam scoffed, “I seriously doubt that. He’s been expressing doubts and questions a lot recently, and beyond that, would an all-knowing, all seeing God have let a rebellion occur in the first place?”
“I suppose you’re right.”
They shook hands.