Story The death of Ricky

[Peter van Velzen]

When Ricky died

Ricky was thinking. That Ricky was thinking, does not proof that Ricky exists, for Ricky can very well be a fictional character in the mind of a fiction-writer, but off-course Ricky thought that he existed, for else Ricky wouldn't have been able to properly think. Ricky always spent his time thinking while the elevator was bringing him up to his workplace in the world trade center. It was a fixed part of his everyday life. As soon as the elevator started moving, Ricky started to think about life, the universe and everything. Logical, when you are 42 and on your way to your everyday work. . Ricky thought off Pascal’s wager.

This time Ricky thought about the improbable probability that he would find himself in the afterlife in stead of in oblivion. What if there was life after dead after all, and Ricky would find himself in hell? In eternal torture of the eternal flames? What if – so Ricky pondered – I find myself in intolerable pain, and there is nothing and nobody that can put me out of my misery as I am already dead and there is not a body around?

But how – Ricky wondered – can I have pain when i am dead? How can I feel pain, if I do not have a body, but just an eternal soul? How do I experience pain, if there are no pain-receptors, to give me that experience of pain? The pain of a body less soul must indeed be just an illusion. I guess, I shouldn't worry about such pain. All I have to do is realize it is an illusion and the pain will go away. If I can just convince myself that the pain is off my own making, that it does not physically exist, I can probably spare myself an eternity of pain. The life of a body-less soul should indeed be like a lucid dream. No less and no more. And I should be able to control that dream. While Ricky was thinking like this, the elevator had reached the floor where Ricky was working, and came to a hold. The doors opened. Ricky stepped out of the doors, turned left and entered Hell.

Ricky - for no reason at all – turned towards the wall on the right, only to find out the wall was turning to him alsp. The wall and everything behind. And behind it was something that had a distant resemblance to the front of an airplane. Something spooky and gross. Something big and angry. Is went through the ceiling and it went through the floor and it came at him with a vengeance.
Whether due to air-pressure or parts from the wall that hit him, Ricky was thrown back throught the wall behind him. The wall gave way and Ricky and the debris and the hulk out of hell, all went though it and entered another room, hitting chairs and office desks, waste bins and computers and anything that was there. For the first second, Ricky felt nothing. That the pain started. It started everywhere and would not cease. While flames started to lit op all around him. Ricky lay dying in the ruines around him.

The pain remained. The pain could not be stopped. Not moving would not help, the pain now became het pain of fire. Why was there no end to the pain? Why didn't his nerves burn away? Ricky looked around, and all he could she was flames. Why was he not dead yet? He tried to lift his arms. But it seemed like he had not arms. He tried to turn his head, but it seemed he had no head. He tried to move his legs, but it seemed he had no legs. All there was, was pain and flames. “Where has the world gone?” Ricky thought. Why can I only see flames. Why am I not dead? Or am i? Could this be hell?

To be continued.

[Peter van Velzen]

Ricky in hell.

Ricky couldn't think straight. The pain was all absorbing. He tried to meditate. He tried to concentrate on his breathing, but there was no breathing. He tried to concentrate on his heartbeat, but there was no heartbeat. There was nothing but the pain. So he tried to concentrate on nothing. Nothing should be there. If he had no body, nothing should be the only thing.

Suddenly he realized there was no pain. Maybe there never had been. Even his memory of the pain was faint and almost non-existing. He tried to look around again. The flames were still there, but did not hurt him anymore. So Ricky tried to see beyond the flames, and behold: The flames became transparent. And beyond the flames, was a being so ugly and horrible as ever he had imagined one. It looked like the devil, it looked like what Ricky had imagined the devil to look like, It look liked everything he had imagined the devil to look like. Ricky spoke. He didn't hear his own voice, but he felt the power of it, He said: “Is this hell?”

“That’s what everyone asks me, when they get used to the pain, so I guess Hell must be the proper name for this place”, the being answer. Again Ricky did not hear the words, although the resonated greatly in his mind. “Are you the devil?” Ricky continued. “That’s what everyone asks me, so I guess Devil must be the proper name for me. How come you adjust to the pain so quickly?” replied the devil. (Ricky now thought of him – was it a him? – as the devil). “I am lucky” Ricky said, just before the catastrophe happened I had a thought about pain, when there is no body, and I decided it must be imagination. So I imagined there was no pain, and then there wasn't.

“O, how wonderful”, said the devil. “You make me happy, This is the first time since I am here, that I meet someone, who is not in pain! All others are suffering so much, and there is nothing I can do for them”. “Where are the others?” Ricky asked, Why so I see nobody except you? “Well”, the devil said, “I am not sure, but I think they have no body, so it seems logical that you don’t see no body. I don’t know why I can see them. Or see there pain and hear there thoughts. Not that they think so much .most of it are thoughts of pain. But you are different.

“You said, “since I am here” so you came from somewhere else. Where was that?”, The devil explained he originally was in another place, that was full of pleasure and delight. There was an almighty being there that ruled the place, and the almighty called the devil Lucifer. One time the almighty had ordered Lucifer to bow down and obey a new person called Adam. Lucifer protested. Why should he - a perfect being by subjugated to the will of a newcomer? Why couldn't they act as equals? The almighty had been angry. “If you do not want to subject yourself to man. Than I will put you in a place where man is subjugated to you!” And Lucifer fell down from the place of pleasure and delight and ended down in Hell, where men where suffering and subjugated to Lucifer’s will. But Lucifer had found no pleasure, in his reign. Only the pain of seeing men in pain.

“So you came from heaven”. Ricky concluded. “If heaven is what you call it, then heaven it was” said Lucifer. I wish you could be there. I wish all men could be there, and I wish I could be there with them. Enjoying there happiness instead of suffering there sufferings”. Ricky pondered. Was there any way he could help this poor devil? “Why are people down here?” he asked Lucifer? “Well, it seems they are here because the didn't believe in the almighty. At least that is what some of them tell me. Some believed in a way. They said, they took “Pascals wager” but apparently the almighty did not believe they were sincere, and punished them anyway. I couldn't really believe that, and tried to find out what they could have done to deserve their horrible fate. Some of them did bad things all right, but others had hardly hurt anyone ever.”

“That’s not right” protested Ricky. “That shouldn't be so, People should not have to suffer, because they didn’t believe in what they never ever witnessed. Why, those who never have hurt anyone ever, should be in heaven!”. “I wish I could bring them there” Lucifer responded. But there seems to be no way. If I try to go up, there is just more off hell. Going left or right, backward or forward, I come back to the same place, which is here. And downwards there is only more and hotter fire. I wouldn’t bring them there. Their suffering is to much as it is”.

Ricky started thinking again. Was there really no way out? Was there only a choice between hell, and something hotter than hell. Ricky suddenly remembered something. It was a joke of course, but was it really a joke? He had forgotten the logic behind it, but he clearly remembered the funny conclusion: “Heaven is hotter than hell”, Ricky said to Lucifer. “Let’s go there!”. Lucifer didn’t answer. Instead he somehow took Ricky by the hand he didn't have. And together they descended further down in Hell. There was a lake of molten lava. And Lucifer looked at Ricky. “Are you sure?” he asked. “No” Ricky said, “but I am sure, we can only stay here forever if I am wrong: Let’s jump in!

And they jumped. . .

To be continued. . .

[Peter van Velzen]

Ricky in heaven

With Lucifer beside him. Ricky splashed into the Lava lake and there was no more Lava. There were no more flames and the cave of hell gave way for a blue sky, with pretty clouds, like newborn sheep. The ground was covered with grass, and blooming flowers, and there were grapevines everywhere. Just in front of them lay a man on a soft bed of pink pillows, surrounded by dozens of pretty young women. The girls were dressed in harem-like outfits, which differed in color and in see-through property, They looked gorgeous like black-haired versions of a young Barbera Eden.

The man startled on seeing Lucifer. “Go away Shaytan!” he shouted! “Go back to hell, were you belong, you awful enemy”. Ricky responded in Lucifer’s place. “Why do you think poor Lucifer deserves to be in Hell, and you deserve to be in heaven sir?”, so you condemn him just because of his ugliness, or do you have reasons for your dislike?

“How can someone look so horrible and resemble the Shaytan that much, if he is anything but Shaytan himself?”, said the man, who now freed himself of the arms of the women nearest to him. “As for me, I deserve to be in heaven amongst 72 virgins, for dying bravely in the jihad against, Shaytan which is the USA. I flew an airplane into the World trade center, killing dozens of infdidels!”
Ricky was shocked. This was his murderer and he as in heaven. How great could injustice be?
“Why you murderer!” he replied, “how dare you enjoy the fruits of heaven, after having done so much harm and killing so much innocent civilians? How dare you spoil the innocence of young women, even after death? Why, if they are virgins indeed. They deserve better than you. Who are you, but an infamous murderer?”. The infamous murderer, stood up, and stared at Ricky. “I am Mohammed Atta, and I fought a noble jihad. 72 virgins are my spoil”.

“Is that so?” asked Ricky. “is that so, or are you just enjoying a misreading of the next? Was it really virgins, or was it just grapes?” and while he said this, each and every young lady, turned into a bunch of grapes. Mohammed was shocked. “Who are you? are you the real Shaytan? Are you Iblis, the deceiver, who makes us believe lies? These are virgins, not grapes”. He looked around him, but the grapes did not change back. How indeed – Ricky thought – could he turn pretty women into grapes, He was no god. Or was he? Where was this line Genesis that read “If they eat from the tree of eternal life, they will be like us gods?”. If his soul was immortal and he was now just a soul without a body, he might indeed be equal to the gods.

“No Mohammed, my name is not Iblis, it is Ricky, and I am neither devil nor angel. Just a victim of your murderous deed. And I will have my vengeance on you. Not for my sake but for the sake of righteousness!’ He was interrupted by a thunderbolt from the bleu sky. A being of shear light, had come whith it, and it’s thundering voice, said: “What is this? Why aren’t you in Hell? How did you escape my wrath”:

To be continued . . .

[Peter van Velzen]

Ricky and the almighty

“What is this? Why aren't you in Hell? How did you escape my wrath”:
Ricky pondered a little over the question. Apparently this was not a omniscient being. For an omniscient being would have no questions, only answers. Meanwhile Lucifer responded:

“This human who you judged to be subjugated to me, did not submit, but indeed proved worthy that I might submit to him. He found a way back here that I in half an eternity did not find. HE found a way to dismiis to pain. He is truly worthy of my praise.”

“What the devil? He is a unbeliever one who denounced me! Back to hell with you!” The floor or was it a cloud beneath Lucifer and Ricky opened, but Ricky held Lucifer ugly arm, and neither one felll. “I have not denounced you before,, enlightened one, for I never believed you could exists, and never believed you could be so unjust. But I will denounce you now!” Ricky said. You put people in eternal agony only because they did not believe such an unjust power could really exists! Meanwhile, you let this – my murderer – into heaven to enjoy what he did not deserve. Truly I say to you: Those who did wrong should suffer as long as they have enjoyed their wrongdoings. No more and no less! I despise your injustice, and if I can help it, it will end!”

The lightened being grew dark, it grew awesome and looked at Ricky with hatred. “Did I give you an immoral soul, so you can do that to me? Despise me? Denounce me? Even hate me?”.
“No” Ricky replied. How can I hate you. By giving me an immortal soul did you not make me equals to the gods? Did you not give me a free will, so I could reject injustice and embrace justice? I truly thank you for that, but as you made me, I can not do anything but reject evil and embrace good, So it must be that justice will prevail, for anything else I cannot accept.”

The Dark one now looked at Ricky in fear, the ground – or was it the cloud – below him gave way, and it gave way under Mohammed Atta and they disappeared into the abyss. Ricky and Lucifer stared at each other. “What happened?” Ricky asked. “what did I do? Why did the lightened being grow dark and looked at me with fear? Where did he go to?” Lucifer, scratched his horns. “Well I guess he enjoyed his injustice for an eternity, so he will probably have to take my place for twice as long as I have taken it. We should expect to see good persons in heaven now. Not obedient persons. You are truly wonder full Ricky!” You may not understand what you do, but you do well!

Than the grapes which were pretty girls before changed again and became angels, and the angels sang to Ricky, “glory to you our savior, what can we do to thank you, but sing your glory?” Ricy shrugged. You can stop worrying and be happy! I want nothing more.

To be continued . . .

[Peter van Velzen]

Ricky and the forgiven ones

Ricky and Lucifer looked around. They saw scores of young children, and adults in their prime. No was seemed old en worn out. A barefoot man wearing only a single piece of cloth, came towards them: “Tell me, great Demon” he said to Lucifer. “Am I born again or am I really enlightened and is this Nirwana where we feel no more suffering?

“This is Heaven, dear Siddharta. Now the almighty has gone away for some time it offers a place for every soul that did penance. Thanks to Ricky our Benefactor” here. “No, No” Ricky protested, I am no benefactor, what I did anyone could have done, for as long as we embrace good and denounce evil, we are all almighty.
“It seems however” said Siddharta ”that you practice compassion even in death. That is the art of a true benefactor, but tell me: why penance?” “I’m not sure” Ricky said “But many people hunger and thirst after righteousness. And as finite penance, can suffice to earn eternal blessings. Justice will be done that way, maybe you can detach yourself from justice, but not all of us can”
“There is nothing wrong with justice and righteousness, surely when the call for its is finite. If indeed we live eternally without further suffering, we will detach ourselves from the thirst for righteousness soon enough.

A small man came towards them, with very long hair. “who do I hear speaking of hunger and thirst? Has righteousness come after all? And where is our heavenly father? “I am sorry Jehosua” Lucifer said, “but alas your “father” wasn't very righteous, and now suffers the punishment he has inflicted on others. People like you and Ricky are the true fathers of Humanity.”
“Has my faith been in vain?” Jehosua asked. “It did not save you” was Ricky’s opinion: but your good heart has, and if we wish, it will stay that way. Even the unjust father, will be forgiven”.

Another man approached. “Donnerwetter ein Jude1” he spoke. “Because of the heavy punishment i have suffered, I guess I have to ask him and his fellows for forgiveness. I suffered for a lifetime, so I suppose, all what I have done must have been wrong”. Can you forgive me?” “I don’t know you” Jehosua said, “but if you have paid the price for your wrongdoings, those who do know you can surely forgive you. If not, how can their own sins be forgiven“. “I hope you are right” de German with the small black mustache said, “but I see only strangers. Where are my followers? Surely they cannot have been punished more than there Fuehrer”

“Maybe” said Ricky “It is better for those who followed your bad leadership, to first meet people who have always been better persons and only after having been purified that way , again meet people like yourself herr Hitler…. I presume” “Who was good and who was bad?”. Adolf asked. “My enemies too killed women and children. Surely I am not the only villain in history. But what is der Teufel doing here? Has he come for me again?”

“No” said Lucifer “I do not want to let anyone suffer. I have seen enough suffering. Your worst enemy was about as bad as you were and some of your henchmen actually did some good” As he spoke another man arrived. He took of his hat saying “Gruess Gott Satan, Gruess Gott mein ehenmalige Fuehrer. I don’t now whether I am any good, but in my selfishness I seemed to have done something right”. “Was Nietzsche than right anyway? Is pity wrong … meinherr?” Adolf asked “Arthur Schindler, with your permission. Pity may be wrong but empathy probably is not. My selfishness made me keep some jews alive, so they could work for me. But in doing so, I started to care for them, and in the end I kept more of them alive, than my own benefit needed me to do. Now everybody calls me a good person, But I have done the right thing merely by chance, and only in hindsight concluded it was right”.

The two of them strolled of, exchanging memories of their shared past. Siddharta and Jehosua went another way, while discussing compassion and love. Ricky looked at Lucifer. “What is left for us to do Lucifer? When even the evil ones have turned into good and the good remained that way, we are done. Or is there anything I can do for you?” “No said Lucifer. ”Now I know that suffering will end, I am happy. Thanks to you Ricky! “No, Lucifer! Thanks to yourself, for without I might have been of no value. It was you who made me realize the injustice in eternal suffering. Ugly as you may seem, in your heart you may be the most beautiful being I know”. Lucifer’s eyes literally lighted up and to the utter surprise of the eternal bachelor Ricky, the devil transformed into the most adorable being he had ever encountered.

He gave Lucifer a real big hug and said: “I’ll be damned”