I'd got a leaflet from the temple earlier and was flicking through it. The scotch in one hand was nicely dulling the pain while I glanced at what the temple was offering. A full range of voluntary euthanasia packages:
Friend and Family Final Party - A sumptuous party with 5 course meal, live music and a guaranteed Black pill to end your personal party quickly and painlessly on the stroke of 12. Cremation and service to follow immediately afterward. Cost: 2000 plus 200 dollars per cover. Minimum of 10 people.
Hmm. Not quite my style. No family to speak of and my friends seem to have departed since the cancer got worse.
Home Alone - Budget Black pill special. Do it yourself where you feel happiest. We contact the authorities and do the clean up afterwards. Cost: 1500 dollars
Well better but I don’t really want to be by myself.
The Big Splash - For the more adventurous. A three minute delay Black Pill lets you experience the final high dive and free fall from a hot air balloon 5000 feet up to the depths of the ocean. With special weighted burial at sea suit, you'll go from exhilarating action to gentle sleep to final rest in the depths. Cost: 6000 dollars
Oh. My stomach churns at the thought of that one.
The Final Bang - A bevy of beautiful people (sex/orientation of your choosing) will take you and make your last night the one memories that you'll never forget whereever you're heading. Instead of the usual Black Pill, the Red Pill will keep you revved up and going all night long until you finally pass away in ecstasy into the depths of oblivion. Cost: 8000 dollars.
Now that’s more like it. The only way any red blooded man has always wanted to go regardless of the dire psychological impact it might have on his partner. Well, these temple people must be properly trained and counselled for this job, meaning it was okay to pander to base needs for the final farewell. Hell though it was a lot of money. I'd only just have enough. Ha. You can’t take it with you anyway you fool.
I reach over and grab the telephone before I change my mind. Dialing the number off the brochure, I try to think when to do this. The pain was slowly getting worse, and the doctors had given me less than a month. Probably the sooner the better, I don’t think I could put up with the end being totally bed ridden and in a morphine daze for the pain.
"Hello, Temple Solutions," a sweet sounding girl answers.
"Hi, I'm interested in your final solutions package, emmm the final bang", I say with a bit of embarrassment in my voice.
"That’s fine sir, a popular choice. Can you give me your details so that I can get the paperwork sent to you." I relay my name and address to her.
"Okay Mr Arroway. That’s no problem. I'll have that sent to you promptly. You will need to sign the documents yourself in the presence of an authorised witness, and also you will need your doctor to sign to confirm mental stability. Have you any time scale in mind for this?"
"Well, the sooner the better," I reply.
"Well its short notice but we do have two openings at end of next week. I can pencil you in for Thursday or Friday night, if either of them are suitable?"
"Friday would be good. Gives me time to sort things out." "That’s fine sir. I'll send the paperwork by courier to expedite things. Until next Friday bye."
***
Friday Checklist Cancelled milk
Tick
Arranged for utilities to read meters and take final accounts by direct debit
Tick
House clearance firm to arrive tomorrow.
Tick
Drop keys with neighbour to forward to Landlord.
Tick
Die... Well not quite yet.
On my way to the Temple. Talking my last stroll through this dusty city. Last breath of fresh, well not so fresh air. The pains gnawing at my insides again, but an anticipation overwhelms that, part excitement part fear. I arrive outside the temple its quite a sombre mock gothic building, all grey stone and towers.
I enter and approach the pretty looking receptionist.
"Hello, I'm Mr Arroway, I have an appointment scheduled for," I glance at my watch 7.45pm, " 8pm".
"That’s fine Mr Arroway, let me get someone to take over here and I'll take you through." Ah the same girl I spoke to the other day. She walks out of the reception area, she's a little on the plump side, dark hair cut in a short bob. Hips swinging from side to side. A little too plump for my tastes.
She's soon back, with another young woman who's a bit skinny and definitely not as good a looker. My plump one, gives me a smile and beckons me to follow her.
"Sorry about that Mr Arroway. I'm Vicky and I've been handling your case."
I look at her carefully, "So you're not just the receptionist then?"
"Ha no, I was just standing in while Gerry had her break," another nice smile flashed in my direction. "I checked your paperwork earlier and its all in order. The bank transfer has come though so we are lights green. You're still happy that this is the right thing for you?"
"Well, I haven't got much longer anyway, and this seems the best way to go, before the pain gets worse"
"That's fine as long as you're ready. We're just heading down to our clinic, where our Doctor will take a last look over you, certify you as sane and competent, and then provide you with the Red Pill."