The following entry won 3rd prize in an inter-college creative writing competition, the line provided was, “It was a pleasure to burn,” from the book Fahrenheit 451 by Raymond Bradbury.
It was a pleasure to burn. Orgasmic almost.
The searing heat filled my insides and tingled down to my fingers. I could almost see a burnished glow emanating from within me. Each step further inside caused sparks to rise up and bite me. The embers glowed beneath my feet and lit my surroundings with a deep rose bloom.
Hot air rushed past me as I entered the chamber, I could see a figure huddled at the centre of the room. The shrouded figure began to rise, it slowly unfurled its arms, I could see tiny blue flames licking and dancing around the edges of the robe.
There was an ethereal feel to the entire proceedings and I felt excitement bubble through me as I saw the figure reveal itself to me.
And, the bell rang.
I had been called back. I can’t believe She did that to me. Why did someone have to die now?
I nervously shook off the last of the fire that was within me and tried to assume a more angelic expression.
Pulling on my robe, I trudged up to the Pearly Gates and resumed my duty as the gatekeeper. A nervous old soul was standing outside; this was one of Her picks.
For some reason, she always picked nervous old folk. But then again, perhaps that’s the reason for the excellent reputation.
I asked him the usual, who are you, where are you from, are you happy etc. he answered like a straight A student, which he probably had been anyway.
I opened the gates, directed him to his cloud, and sent him on his way.
I sighed; there couldn’t be a more boring job. Gatekeeper of the Gate. Like it wasn’t enough having to be white and floaty all day.
I much preferred Lucifer’s place. I had been offered a job there, a much more interesting Entry Desk. This was where anybody who comes through would have to talk to me and tell me why they deserve to burn.
This job came with only one requirement. Lose the halo, literally and figuratively.
My earlier visit had been cut short because I did not want Her to know what I was up to, or any of the other old sods for that matter. I was one of the few young ones who gained entry into Her house. Now, I was learning what I missed.
My job interview had been disrupted and now, sitting at the gates, I closed my eyes and tried to reach the fire in my mind.
Once again, as I passed through the invisible barrier, I felt the rush of heat assault my senses.
I felt my face glow and I relaxed into the feeling it brought. I made my way towards Lucifer’s chamber. He slowly revealed himself to me.
It was the most gorgeous face I had ever seen.
Once I got my breath back, I told him, I would take the job. He nodded once and told me to start work immediately and that he would tell Her where I had gone. It was one of his favourite things to do, he told me, a very evil gleam in his eyes.
It took a little while to comprehend what her was saying, his voice was a rich chocolatey baritone and gave me such comfort that I had to drag myself out of my fantasies to nod a yes.
His stunning secretary took me to my desk. It was not so much a desk than an odd looking couch.
No sooner had she left than my first guest came through the smouldering drapes. He was only a notch below Lucifer in looks.
He said hi.
I couldn’t catch my breath in time.
He told me I looked beautiful, he started to lean closer to sign on his submission form. He looked up at me and I saw the most enchanting green eyes ever, I could stare at them for eternity.
The purpose of the couch became clear. As he started leaning into me, I felt my pulse increase, the fire within me raged like an inferno, I felt his lips close to mine, his breath burning mine.
And, the bell rang.
“Ah hell!” I muttered.
