(Altered the Death’s emotional state. Exhausted.)

As you came too after drying, again, you’re expectantly met by Death’s apparition.

​

Once again… met by Death’s apparition…

“Welcome… *Screech*” Death’s greeting had been faltering for sometime now.

I’d previously tried changing my name a few times in a vain attempt to alter the outcome. The result used to be funny, when it sounded like a couple dozen names spoken over the top of each other.
Now it is literally Deaths’ wail.

“So,” Death continued whilst producing that damned item from somewhere in the many folds of its’ shawl. “Shall we play again?”

If there was a face, it would have to be the picture of exhaustion.
I however couldn’t stop the grin coming to my face thinking about my next move.

“Hmm, you’ve thought of something again, haven’t you?” Death pondered aloud.

“Oh have I.” Time to dance this dance. “If I win, in the what should now only a theoretical chance, I want to be reborn to when I had lived to be 1,808 years old.”
I fell back into a chair that rose to meet me. I had learnt to do this, before. My elbows coming to rest on its’ arms perfectly, my fingers a steeple. An attempt at arrogance. “And, I want to see your working out.”

There it was, the kicker. I had tried this before, I think. It didn’t work then, I think. This time had to be different though. With these kinds of stipulations, not only does Death have to work it all out, I would get to spend however long I wanted to proof read it. Maybe even query it too.

“All of it, no truncating a single second.” I lent back in my chair gloating.

If there was a face, it would definitely be glaring at me. I mean, I have to have won.

Time had slowed for a moment, I could now feel it again, silently trickling pass us.
Death was thinking this through, it always did, every scheme was met and answered in kind.

There was a sigh. Ever so delectable.

“You’ve never lived beyond 80 years. It is not feasible.”

I see, Deaths trying to out manoeuvre me.

“Now, now, I said when I had lived to be 1,808 years old. That can mean time accrued.”

Death sighed again.

“There are other ways.”

“No. Flip the coin.”

A coin brought to view. Showed once between bony fingers. Then tossed high, “Call”

“Heads, as always.”

A clap.

A pause.

An answer.
“Hea-”

“Screw you.” I yelled in frustration, “I expect to see some quality penmanship.” A jab for good measure.

Exasperated, I laid back in the chair to wait. It wouldn’t be long. Once Death left this bubble, this void in everything, any amount of time could pass without me being aware.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before I could hear that life persistent office cart noise. That one with a squeaky wheel which just happened to be in every office I’d ever worked in. The same one I eventually would fix. Then eventually not. Then I would again.

When it came into view Death was shuffling close behind.

If there was a face. It was broken.

“It is done.” Death announced.

I rose up and waltzed to our mutual destruction, and my assured victory.

“Just going to proof it.”

Death’s sigh was, everything.

I began to flip through, is this a copier print out? Hmm, I guess that’s actually logical. Long enough ream and you can print indefinitely. I wanted grueling handwritten work though, guess this will have to do.

“How about this,” Announced as my hand came to rest on the first page. “Best 2 out of 3?” Death produced that damned silver coin.

“Yes, God yes.” I'll keep going till I lose.

A coin brought to view. Showed once between bony fingers. Then tossed high, “Call”

“Heads, as always!”

A clap.

A pause.

An answer.

“Best 3 out of 5?”

----
Error.
File corrupt.

Ending Printout.

---

“Wait,” I turned to look at death after having read the most hilarious biography, “you’re telling me it took this person that long to ask to see the coin?”

“Yes.” A one-word reply.

“And it was fake?” I laughed. And cried.

“Yes.”

“Idiot.” I chuckled wholeheartedly.

“So,” Death began whilst producing a dull silver coin from the folds of its’ shawl. “Shall we play again?”

Again? We’ve played before? I ignored it.

“Sure.” I wonder if I’ll win.

An old coin brought to view. Showed once between worn bony fingers. Then tossed high, “Call”

“Heads, like always!”

A confused expression.

A clap.

A pause.

A pleading answer.

“Please stop playing…”

*NOTE*

Sorry if it's spaced or lined awkwardly. Just pasted it in from word, will hopefully remember to fix later.