Ahh, good evening, I’m so pleased that you have managed to drop by. My name is Mr Mortimer, but feel more than free to call me Mort.
I know for some of you this is the first time to one of my little gathering, so please allow me to introduce you to some of my other guests....
Hex- Well a tale of great humour, casting Death in the role of an adolescent outsider, searching for nothing more than to be accepted by its peers is a masterly stroke. I’m not sure what I think of it but, then it made me laugh so much I felt as though my bones were rattling.
Khayos - A story that is reminiscent of some very dark times. It is powerful, saying a lot within the limited context of so few words. It catches the sense of futility, loss of hope and desperation perfectly.
Remedy - A rather nice poem, that is epic in it’s own right. The loss of a father is a bad enough thing to bear, but when the man is a king there are greater implications for his offspring. And sometimes it is not the crown that is the most sought after prize but being reunited... A wonderful idea.
Springs - Oh I had to chuckle, I had to rattle. The curse of many a writer, that time spent investing a character with life and then knowing it had to end, when you have come to love them so. I will let you into a secret - fictional or real, a life so invested becomes a life and all must be collected.
Quellist - Oh how I so wish this was true. Investing death with a depth, with feeling is powerful, giving a truly heart rendering end to a simple tale. What is a fine ending, is turned into something so much more wrenching with that sad little twist. But alas beneath the clothes you see through death’s bones and there is no heart.
Victoria - There is a dark element here, that truly catches one of the immutable truths in the nature of death. Although the rest is an excellent story, it warns one and all, that sooner or later you will all meet Death in the end.
Farntfar - This one was so off the cuff, that I had to doublecheck the name of the writer. It could have been Starbeast (that’s a compliment). Doctor Who. Ahh, I am not meant to have time for such nonsense, but I do so like a good yarn, and the fantastic idea of a man who can regenerate as Death approaches... Well what could be more of a fantasy than that?
Juliana - what a cute idea, turning the whole concept of death into a clever acronym. It makes for a soundly amusing story - even the name Roger made me smirk for some reason. But then I do seem to be always smiling. The whole thing works?
Alc. - I do not know where sssuch ssssibilant enuncccciation came from, but I will... Oh I like that... Sssix ssswanssss sssswam ssswiftly... Uh, excusss... I mean excuse me. An excellent story that is full of humour, with some powerful touches. I particularly liked the touch about the equine hospital... Poor Binky. And the elephant riding a mouse... That’s an image you don’t see every day.
telford - For every representation of Death, there are those that serve the concept. Millions, billions driven to death by others, but sometimes the question of whether they regret their actions is not asked, and that all they crave is the final escape of their own.
Bowler - Unfortunately Mr Mortimer is unable to offer a comment on this particular entry. He did mutter something before departing, about some books needing cooking, his accountant, and the tax office. Impossibly he seemed to be sweating. Funny how such a light and amusing story could shake him to his bones.
Martin321 - I’m sorry I hate all this officialdom and self righteousness, because it snowballs, and then what have you got? Things go mad. Straight bananas and red tape you could wrap around the world, until it hangs itself, and everything chokes. You have to know where to stop. This story shows that perfectly.
Teresa - Does love outlive death? Or could it be vengeance? A twist on a classic story, a moment at the end of the day for a truth revealed and a dance that can only end one way, no matter how it concludes. Strangely beautiful, you cannot help wishing the dance never ends. But like life it inevitably will.
Well, that is the end of the first round of introductions, I hope such... unique individuals did not overwhelm you. Please, help yourself to a drink, maybe some nibbles, I’ll be back shortly, there is someone I need to see.
Honestly...
