I do not own Meet Joe Black.

I do not own Brad Pitt but I have been staring at him since I was sixteen.

I Require an Explanation

Where am I?

You're dead.

Pardon?

Yes, it's quite a long story.

Well, apparently, I've got time. Let's hear it.

Do you usually communicate this way with timeless entities?

Only those that steal my body and leave my soul in the void in order to take a vacation.

Oh, she is going to love you. Well, more.

What? Who?

Never mind. We'll get to that.

Get to what?

And so Death showed the young man's soul the deeds and events of his body in the last few days. He took it rather well, all things considered.

'I' did that?! Hey, I missed all the good stuff!

If a formless entity could smile, Death did.

Yes, you did. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the tactile sensations. The peanut butter.

Yeah, about that peanut butter . . .

Her.

Yes, her. I met her in the coffee shop. We . . . connected, I thought.

Yes, you did. That is why I took you.

Oh gee, thanks.

Oh, yes, I remember this reaction. It's called 'sarcasm'.

Bingo.

It was rather delightful when the father did it as well.

This was all about him?

No. This was all about life.

Then He gifted the young man's essence with all the memories, thoughts, and feelings he had missed. So that he may function in this newly rebirthed world He was going to offer him. So that he may step back into her life smoothly and lovingly fill the companionship void left by the men most important to her.

If a formless human soul could crumple to its knees in a eternal expanse, the young man's did.

It's . . . it's so beautiful, so perfect. I . . . never realized. It was good, I knew. Great, even. But this . . . all this. I never knew.

Of course you didn't. You always had it.

So . . . what happens now?

Do you want to go back?

Yes.

Are you sure? There is pain there as well. Much pain. Human pain. Physical. Emotional. It is not pleasant.

Yes. I want it all. Please.

Then you'd better go.

Oka-

And your name's Joe now. Joe Black.

Um, okay.

Do you want to know how much time you will have together?

No.

Good. Enjoy what you have and enjoy her. Take care of her. Make her happy.

Yes, I will.

Goodbye, Joe. I will see you again.

Yes, I guess you will. Not too soon, though?

I can't tell you that, Joe.

You killed me, stole my body to be human, and left me in the void. Surely you can tell me a little.

Very well. No, we will not be seeing each other for a long time, Joe.

And her?

Joe . . .

Hit by a car–

No, not her either.

Good. Thank you.

And then Death sent him back. To be alive. To be human. To be with her.

And watched her as she smiled.

I saw this movie as a teenager. It was awesome. And several, several years later as an adult, I love it even more.

Thanks to ChiefPam for reading this lil' fic. You're a doll! :D

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