Chapter 56
Made in the U.S.A.
Andrew quietly concentrated, making his way into a realm only a few could access. Neither the beautiful redhead, nor the boisterous, deep toned angel could step foot into this plane, and they often peppered him with questions after each visit.
"Hello Andrew! Long time no see!"
A young woman - unearthly pale, with jet black hair, tattoos, and clothes dressed in what the angel of death learned was the 'goth' style - greeted him.
"Death," he gave her a courteous nod. "How are your siblings? Dream and Desire?"
She gave a smile. "They're doing well. Their work is never ending."
Andrew let out a chuckle. "Don't we know it."
The girl passed him by, no doubt to carry on an important task.
In the wide atrium, a figure the humans would immediately fear, stopped to acknowledge the visitor.
"ANDREW. IT HAS BEEN AN AGE SINCE WE LAST MET."
"Hello Death. Is the Discworld still floating on the back of a turtle?"
The skeletal grim reaper, with flowing black robes, and electric blue eyes, gave a nod. "IT STILL IS. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY KITTENS RECENTLY."
Andrew smiled. He knew that this Death adored cats. They too gave their goodbyes cordially.
The angel passed a few doorways and walked down a long corridor.
Now he knew there were plenty of Internal Revenue Service agents in heaven he could ask advice to - for example, the great Elmer Irey, who was instrumental in catching the fearsome gangster, Al Capone. He could even zip down to Earth and interview the current head of the dreaded department at this very moment.
But this would be an excuse to visit an old friend.
He knocked on one of the ornate doors.
"Enter," a low voice resonated from within.
Inside, before a grand mahogany desk where a man sat writing, the soft ticking clock and scratch of a pen were the only sounds resonating.
Light eyes rose in surprise at the unexpected visitor.
"Andrew! I wasn't expecting you."
The man the angel greeted was handsome, perhaps even more handsome than the beautiful angels Andrew was already acquainted with.
With darkened locks which lightened into blond, memorizing eyes, and a beguiling smile, this Death was not one to fear.
"Hello Death," Andrew grinned. "Or is it Joe Black, now?"
The incarnation gave a wry smirk at the name. "I am still who I am. My brief foray into the mortal world was bewildering but enlightening."
"Humans are astonishing creatures."
A small tilt of his belayed the man's curiosity. "Do you need help with escorting souls to the other side, or is this just a social visit? I am at your complete leisure for either."
"Neither," Andrew stated, then launched into his reason for visiting. Nick Stratton, a Vietnam War veteran was about to face the most difficult decision of his life. The angel was expected to pose as an accountant first before reaping him.
"Joe Black" nodded knowingly. "Most people fear IRS agents as much as our presence."
The angel snorted, "Death and taxes."
Both ethereal beings chuckled at the common punchline.
The man behind the desk gave Andrew some choice words to use, to always wear a nice suit, and to carry a briefcase.
After a nice meeting over tea, they bid their goodbyes.
As Andrew put his hand on the door knob, the other man cleared his throat.
"Andrew, if you could, please take a look into Susan Parrish. She'll be a doctor now."
"Would you like me to tell her anything?"
It was technically against the rules to speak to humans outside of their tasks, but Deaths were always encouraged to experience the mortal realm every now and again. It kept their views open to the wondrous souls they escorted every day.
"No, no. Just tell me if she's happy."
Andrew nodded and left the room.
After hearing the soft click of the door shutting, the former "IRS agent" stared off into the distance of the window. The view, of course, was of a spectacular nature scene. He could wait for Susan to join him. She would enjoy the love she had with her paramour who's body he borrowed for his brief excursion into her life, but after, many many years later, she could choose to see his world. He would enjoy showing her the joys of the afterlife, as much as she did when he briefly lived as Joe Black.
I wrote this before the Netflix adaptation on The Sandman, so the first figure is based on Neil Gaiman's Death's comic book appearance. The second is Terry Pratchett's Death, who has a cowl, scythe, and TALKS IN ALL CAPS. Andrew is talking to the Brad Pitt version from the film Meet Joe Black. Everything is beautiful in that movie. This episode was corny with Tess singing and the protest, but the twist with Am Nhạc's father was heartwarming. Erik Roberts of course did a great job acting.