Time's Up

Time’s Up

I answered the ringing telephone.

“Hello?”

“Marcus Checkley? Death here. Your time is up. Be ready in three minutes.”

“But you told me I had at least another month!”

“Sorry, change of plan. A bit behind with the quotas actually. Can’t be helped I’m afraid.”

The voice -- soft, mellifluous and very British -- didn’t sound sorry in the least.

“It’s grossly unfair. I won’t do it!”

“Ahem, you don’t have a choice in the matter. However as it’s such short notice you can choose painless or painful.”

“Gee, thanks. I guess I had better go for painless. When will it happ…”

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