JOLENE AND THE DEVIL

JOLENE AND THE DEVIL



Jolene Lilly is this woman’s name. She had thought that she was good but now she is unsure. It’s not hell but it is definitely not heaven, which she’s ended up in. It is very close to the living world with buildings and machines but instinctively Jolene knows these things aren’t real. That somehow the residents here have carried those things in their minds here and have cluttered this place. She can’t believe that she didn’t make it to eternity though.

Using logic (logical she was) she decides that questioning would be the best thing to do. Regrettably no one could or would speak to her until she reaches a building more dilapidated than any other building she has ever seen. Its red bricks were faded and weather beaten, the mortar that held them together was powder if it even still existed at all. It expelled an odor that Jolene could not identify but it conjured sad and lonely feelings with in her. The darkened entrance looked impenetrable through the gloom but Jolene NEVER feared anything and she wasn’t going to start now.

Inside she was surprised to see a desk manned by the most beautiful creature she had ever seen. It had large blue/green eyes that seemed to weep but was perfectly dry. It wore the uniform of a Roman or Greek blazing with fiery gold armor. Burning with an unimaginable brightness was a symbol that she knew; it made her notice even greater the dreariness the less than mundaneness of this place. The Greek symbol was this    ∞











         

         “Infinity,” she whispered. With that the beautiful angel turned and said.

“Jolene I was wondering when you’d wander in here. How may I help you I am the Arch Angel Gabriel?”  “Angel huh,” She spat a little too harsh. “Then Angel tell me why I am here and how do I go up there,” pointing up, “to get him to fix this shit.”

         “Well first off you must speak with the beautiful one,” and Gabriel points down. “Well actually more like over there,” he points left. “See he makes the decision of who may appeal a case to the heavenly host.”

         “You mean the devil.” She says looking appalled. “Yes but he’s not a mean old lying thing like you fleshers think. He just got a little more will power than the rest of us invisibles.” Shrugging he continues, “Its all part of his plan.”  Then looking at her mercifully he says, “Ten minutes ok he’s a little busy with the Republicans?” 





2



         He was unbelievable his dark hair rolled in large curls down his shoulders. His dark eyes were more than soul full and his light skin was more like marble. His uniform was definitely gold and shimmered with the great light of knowledge.

         “Yes,” he says, “that is it exactly. The light of knowledge it happens from too much fruit.” He then smiles jokingly. That smile was beautiful and Jolene was almost overwhelmed but she easily found her courage.

         “I shouldn’t be here I was good I had kids grand kids a nice life.” Her rage burned from her dark lovely eyes. Though she died rather old at the age of 60 she looked about 20 because that was when her destine had been decided. “Jolene that’s why you’re here and not with me, all of the good you did in life was barely enough to get you here between, Sheol or perhaps…. yes you’d prefer purgatory. See you did something once that amended his plan,” pointing upward with emasculate hands.

         “What did I do,” She spat holding the dam of her tears deep. “I never did anything nor hurt anyone.” “Oh no Joe,” He asked looking deep into her reading her easily. “What about Evan Farrell? Do you remember him? Well he happened to be in Gods design. God had counted on thousands of years of evolution to create him. He was the mortal to show that by bringing all three religions together you make the right religion. But you were random one that is unseen in time. “

         “You caused him to value money more than anything when you once said and I quote. ‘You need money I like material things and you have to provide me with them.’ Do you remember this?” “Fuck him,” she whined. “Yes see still you have no forgiveness for yourself. Remember when you put suicide in his mind before he tried it. And yes he was unsuccessful but it made him what he became didn’t it? Cause twenty years later with all that charisma God had bestowed him with was used to start a cult that ended with him and 6000 other people into a suicide pact. Does this make sense to you Jolene?”

         She was stunned but angry and had the perfect rebuttal already bubbling threw her mouth. “He forgives me he has always tried up to the end he always tried.” “Well I am pleased you are honest Joe,” the devil said slyly. “Cause if you were always aware of this and always chose hatred over forgiveness then you will return home with me.” She was panicked running wasn’t an option and neither was fighting. So she just put her head down and touched his robe.



         “The greatest punishment to all is to know heaven is there, but always inaccessible.” Quote from an unknown author.

By Eric Z Fox 9/4/04 8:00PM MST