12:09

S: Are we there yet?

A: No.

S: What about now?

A: No, and I would advise you to stop asking.

S: When are we going to get there?

A: It’s looking like 12:09.

S: How long from now is that?

A: Not that long.

S: Why do we have to go?

A: Well, we aren’t going anywhere. Just you.

S: Just me?! By myself?!

A: No, you won’t be alone.

S: Well, then, who else is coming? Jimmy? Erica? Kyle?

A: No.

S: Well, then, who? Do I get to choose?

A: No.

S: Well, who?!? Who’s coming with me?

A: No one’s coming with you. But you won’t be alone once you get there.

S: Oh. Well, who’s going to be there when I get there?

A: You’ll see soon enough. They’re nice people.

S: Oh my God, people I don’t even know?!?

A: They’re nice people. And they’ll be waiting for you.

S: What if I don’t like them?

A: You will. Pretty quickly, actually.

S: How can you be so sure? What if I don’t?!?

A: You will. And if not right away, you’ll come to.

S: Will I be able to get someone different if I don’t?

S: Why do I have to go?

A: Because.

S: Because what?

A: Because you do.

S: That isn’t an answer.

A: Look, you just have to. You aren’t the first, and you certainly won’t be the last.

S: Is that supposed to make me feel better?

A: I’m just telling you. It must happen. It’s the order of things.

S: The order? Whose order?

A: You know who’s.

S: What if I don’t want to?!

A: It doesn’t matter. You will anyway.

S: Can you make me??

A: No, but He can.

S: What’s it like there?

A: It’s…decent.

S: Decent?!? That doesn’t sound very good.

A: It isn’t bad or good. It’s decent. Decent is okay.

S: No it’s not! Especially not compared to here! Why do I have to leave here for just ‘decent’?

A: You just do. And hey, it might be better than decent for you. The experience greatly varies.

S: 'Greatly varies'? So, that means there’s a chance it can be bad?

A: But there’s also a chance it can be good—very good. You never know.

S: I’d like to know…something. Knowing would be nice.

A: You aren’t the first to say that, even there. Everyone wants to know, although I don’t know if they want to, really. Nonetheless, unfortunately, that isn’t possible. You’ll just have to wait and see.

S: That doesn’t sound fun.

A: I didn’t say things were going to be fun.

S: They won’t be?

A: I didn’t say fun. I said decent.

S: Might it be both fun and decent?

A: It might. Or it might not be.

S: Well, can you at least tell me something about the people I’ll meet there? Like, what are their names? What are they like? Are they good people?

A: I told you they’re nice people.

S: I asked if they’re good people. Nice and good aren’t the same thing. Some serial killers have been known to be nice.

A: Well, they aren’t serial killers.

S: Do you know that for sure? Especially with everything else so uncertain?

S: Oh, you don’t. Great.

A: They aren’t serial killers.

S: Yeah, your pause just now was totally convincing.

A: They aren’t serial killers.

S: Maybe they aren’t yet, but do you have the ability to look into their futures?

A: Well, no, but—

S: Then, how do you know they won’t continue to not be serial killers? How do you know they aren’t serial killers in the making?

A: They…aren’t.

S: Will I be the youngest one there?

A: Well, duh.

S: Oh, brother.

A: But probably not for long.

S: How long not for long?

A: I don’t know.

S: But you know they aren’t serial killers.

A: There will be others. I don’t know the specifics.

S: Will the others be serial killers?

S: Ok, so, how shall I introduce myself?

A: You won’t have to introduce yourself.

S: What?

A: You won’t have to introduce yourself.

S: What do you mean, 'I won’t have to introduce myself'?

A: You’ll see… Soon enough.

S: No, I want to see now! Why wouldn’t I be able to introduce myself?

A: Because it won’t be necessary.

S: Umm.. And why not?

A: They’ll know who you are.

S: But how, if I don’t tell them?

A: Your arrival will speak for itself.

S: Well, what shall I call them? What are their names?

A: Also not important…yet. You’ll learn with time.

S: Why can’t I learn now?!

A: Because. It won’t make a difference.

S: What? What does that mean?

A: Look. You won’t need to introduce yourself, nor will you need to call them by any name, for a while.

S: But I’ll learn their names eventually.

A: Yes, that is correct.

S: Well, what interesting things am I gonna do there?!

A: I don't know.

S: What cool places am I gonna go?

A: I don't know.

S: Who all will I get to meet?!?

A: I don't know.

S: But you know they aren't serial killers. Ok.

S: I at least can’t wait to finally get to see a bunch of places on foot!

A: You won’t be able to do that for a little while.

S: What’s 'a little while'?

A: At least a year.

S: What?!

A: Yes, and quite a bit longer than that, unguided.

S: So, in the meantime, how am I supposed to get around?! Will it be like how we move around here?

A: No.

S: Well, then how?

A: They’ll get you around.

S: But how?!

S: Are we there yet?!

A: No. Stop asking. Just enjoy the journey.

S: It’s kind of hard to enjoy when you aren’t telling me much about the destination.

A: You’ll find that’s often the case. Might want to get used to it.

S: What time did you say we’re supposed to arrive again?

A: If all goes well, you’re supposed to arrive at 12:09.

S: 'If all goes well'? What in the world does that mean?!

A: It usually goes well. But not always.

S: What? So, so what happens if it doesn’t?!

S: Hello?? What happens if it doesn’t?!?

A: You’ll be okay either way.

S: Is there a way I can make sure it goes well?

A: No. Well, other than making sure you’re on time.

S: Oh.

A: And I’ll of course see to it that you are.

S: Unh-huh. And 12:09, you said?

A: Yes.

S: In the morning or at night?

A: Uhh… The morning. Although, I don’t think it will make a difference for you either way.

S: {sighs}

A: What’s the problem?

S: Why do I feel like I’m walking into a lion’s den?

A: It won’t be a lion’s den, I can assure you.

S: Doesn’t sound like it. Sounds a bit suspect, if you ask me.

S: So, when am I coming back?

A: Hopefully not for a very, very long time.

S: What? Why would you say that?

A: Trust me. You’ll wanna stay a while.

S: But I won’t get to say goodbye to Jimmy, Erica, or Kyle?

A: Who knows, maybe you’ll see them again one day. Maybe there, maybe here.

S: ’Maybe’?

A: By different names, of course. But I assure you, you soon likely won’t care.

S: Ok, so, what am I supposed to talk about with these people who might be serial killers, whose names I don’t even know?

A: You’re not.

S: Huh?

A: There won’t be much to talk about. Well, they might do some talking, but you’ll just mainly listen.

S: What? Why? Why can’t I talk?

A: I mean… you can certainly try.

S: Don’t tell me they’re the types who just like to hear themselves talk and don’t really let others around get a word in edgewise?

A: Uhh... Something like that.

S: Will they at least be able to understand me?

A: Actually, at first, no.

S: What?

A: Look, you’ll have everything you need starting out. How are your lungs?

S: Huh? What do you me—

A: Bye-byyyeee, little one.

D: Yes! That’s it, Mom! Keep pushing, keep pushing!! We’re almost there!

F: Come on, honey! You can do it! You’re doing great!

D: Yes! Yes!! That’s it. You’ve almost got it. Almost. Keep going!

D: Push!!

B: {crying}

M: {crying}

N: 12:09am!

D: Congratulations, Mom and Dad. You have a healthy baby boy.