Monday, July 24, 2006

Moot Paragraphs

Here are three paragraphs of a story inspired by the word "moot," as requested by Fuse#8:

A lot of people in my family like to start arguments. They thrive on the sport. One of my brothers, Moros, told me, “If I don’t have at least one confrontation a day, I don’t feel like a real demi-god.” It makes a certain amount of sense. When you consider that my brother was the personification of impending doom and destruction (not to mention the fourth of six children), sometimes the persistence of conflict is all you have to keep yourself from appearing to be just one of the crowd.

I’ve always been more of an argument-ender. Technically, it’s not part of my job description, but I doubt Hades would have hired me for post of Underworld Ferryman had I not displayed a certain sense of thrift and expediency. Two things are inevitable: death and taxes. To enter the Underworld properly (i.e. by ferryboat), you need an obolus coin. The third most common question I get (after “How can I possibly be dead?” and “Aren’t you supposed to be a guy?”) is “How was I supposed to know about the obolus?”

I don’t make the rules. I just take the money and cross the river. This is a non-negotiable statute. Once you get to the other side of the river, though, there is room for debate. Contrary to what you may have heard, you do actually get a say as to where you live after you die. We have a forum called the Afterlife-Moot. People gather there to discuss local issues, discuss the meaning of death and trade house-mates.

I'm done for now. This is probably why I am not a novelist. My brain trickles away after three paragraphs. Then again, it could be the effects of the heat.


Earlier adventures of Karen the Ferryman: King/Coin/Ferryman/Dog

6 comments:

John said...

"GLEE GLEE"

I have the first shout of glee.

Even 3-paragraph attempts are amusing. I need to go back and get caught up on the inter-stellar IM story.

Liz said...

You crack me up. Karen the ferrymen-too much.

I liked it, of course it contains mythological references so how could I not.

I'm with you, I can write a really good chapter, just not a whole novel ;)

Saints and Spinners said...

Hitman J: The interstellar IM story is currently on a cliff-hanger. Aiee! Any suggestions?

Nonny: We are in the same boat. How many chapter ones do you have lying around in the vaults? I've got a few. One made it through chapter two, whoo whoo. It was about Beethoven and his "immortal beloved." Five years later, the movie came out... but not with my script!

fusenumber8 said...

Love it! Now I wish I'd chosen an even more enticing word. But "moot" has never been better illustrated in a novel-like fashion.

Saints and Spinners said...

Thanks! You can always give me another word, too.:) That goes for the rest of y'all out there. Note that "The Muse is IN" even when I'm not.

Lone Star Ma said...

Wonderful. Although I have similar difficultes with finishing books, I am afraid that yours are too good to allow them to remain unfinished. Write some more! Whatever hapened to the Alkelda and her niece story?