The wall directs you straight on into the blue abyss. But the carpet invites proceeding at an angle towards a deeply shadowed arch. Make a sharp turn, and a steep and rickety ladder beckons upwards.
To be honest, I’d expected the sounding of trumps, archangels with fiery swords, at least an old man with jangling keys. The exquisite torment of choice was the last thing I’d anticipated.
Walk the red carpet one last time, Harve. Was that the voice of a serpent, or a phantom in my head?
Perhaps I’ll just sit a spell and consider my options.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Perhaps the bench is there to consider a life well-lived, or perhaps not so well-lived. Great take.
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Thanks so much, Sandra, The bench is there for those who procrastinate
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This was an excellent short, Neil. I think he best sit and ponder a while longer.
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Thanks so much, Dale. Perhaps an aeon longer
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At least!
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Dear Neil,
Harve might as well face the music. He earned it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much, Rochelle
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I’ll bet there aren’t any do-overs if you don’t like your first choice 🙂
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And not choosing is also a choice
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Indeed.
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Great job of pulling in so many features of the image. Who wouldn’t want to “walk the red carpet” one more time.
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Thanks so much, Jade. Ah, but what’ behind the shadowed arch at the end of the red carpet?
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Hmm, seems like a big choice, although if you’re dead anyway, might as well think about it. You got all the time in the world, I’d assume. 🙂
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Best thing is to be a classic hero. That way you can pass in and out of the underworld and Elysian fields at will
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Time to consider, indeed.
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Thanks so much, Dawn
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if he’s married, i’ll let the wife choose for him. 🙂
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Sadly, he was never able to decide between alternatives there either
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Ooooo I really like this. Such a choice. Sitting for a bit to consider sounds like a good plan. That rickety ladder up is a bit ominous actually.
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Thanks so much, Laurie. Frankly, none of the options look great
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You know what they say, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it.” It seems like he’s fortunate to have options at the fork at which Harve have found himself.
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Or are the options simply their own devilish torment?
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It’s always nice to find a bench to ponder (or procrastinate) a while! I’m with Harve.
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Thanks so much, Brenda
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That’s what the bench is for, haste makes waste.
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The bench is, of course, its own torment
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I like this take on the prompt. In life and the after life there are always choices to be made!
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Thanks so much
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I loved your take on the photo. One last choice, and which to choose?
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Thanks so much, Angela
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Definitely take time with this choice. A lot of time.
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When the pie was open the birds began to sing
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