Heaven's Gates

Ree sat in a leather chair in a spacious hall. The sunlight passed through the wall of glass and illuminated the surroundings. Outside, mountains of clouds ponderously drifted through the infinite sky.

Multiple identical leather chairs were arranged in endless rows throughout the hall. Most of them were empty; several were occupied by men and women with vacant expressions on their faces.

Recently deceased were swiftly brought to this divine distribution center. They were briefed on how the things stood, and now they waited their turn to take an interview with the Angel. The Angel would decide whether they would be admitted to Heaven or sent to Hell.

For the most part, those Rookie Immortal Souls looked stunned. The quick succession of the events overwhelmed them, and they couldn't yet come to terms with the fact that somebody was going to judge their earthly deeds, after all. Most of them suspected that they would naturally end up in Hell. Like, even without remembering what exactly was considered the Sin, they assumed that most likely they unknowingly did enough to ensure their Damnation.

A guy sat in a chair next to Ree. He wore an immaculate business suit. As opposed to the listlessness of other Immortal Souls, he looked cheerful and fresh and had a mischievous glint in his eye. He smiled at Ree good-naturedly and introduced himself as Luke.

"So what happened to you?" Ree asked politely.

Luke smiled. "I was sentenced to death, and then I died. Now I'm looking forward to a better life in Heaven. The way the things stand."

Ree became curious about the source of Luke's confidence.

"What was your crime?" Ree asked "Maybe, it was, like, one of the Sins, you know, the thing those religious books say you mustn't do. So, maybe, you just warranted yourself Eternal Damnation, place in Hell, and stuff."

Luke looked Ree in the eyes and smiled amiably.

"I killed eight people. As Jesus said, it's easier for the camel to get through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to get to Heaven. I killed them and took their money."

Ree wanted to ask how did it make any sense, but at that moment the voice from the loudspeakers announced, that it was his turn to be interviewed. Ree proceeded to a small, stuffy room. The Angel, wearing a nightgown, sat behind the desk, cluttered with papers and files. He looked at Ree without interest.

"So, how is it going? Did you sin?" the Angel asked wearily.

Ree thought for a second and fell in his earthly habit of being sincere and self-depreciating.

"Yes, I can say, I was selfish, callous, and didn't care much about those who were close to me."

"So, you think you are a bad person?" the Angel asked, fidgeting with the pencil.

"I guess, I am," Ree said, casting his eyes down in embarrassment.

"Ok, it's no problem," the Angel said briskly "You go to Hell then."

He pressed the button, and the voice from the loudspeakers invited the next person to come in.

"Ok, you now go outside and wait until you are escorted to the place of your Eternal Damnation. Next." concluded the Angel. The interview was finished.

Ree sat in the hall dumbfounded. The sit next to him was empty. Apparently, Luke was going through the interview.

---

When Luke returned, he had a broad, friendly smile on his face. Mischievous sparkles danced in his eyes.

"Ok, as I said, I'm going to Heaven. Hope, it won't take too long."

"Wait a second?" Lee still didn't understand "You killed eight people. This is Sin. Or not? I don't understand."

"As I said," Luke said politely "It wasn't my fault. I did what I had to do, what I was supposed to do. You lead your normal life. Sometimes life might seem unfair, but you can make it fair, equalize the odds, so to speak. When it's necessary. Then you continue as usual. I don't think; there is something wrong with that, do you? I think you don't, and neither do the Angel."

Then it dawned on Ree. He felt a bit of a deja vu. He experienced a feeling that was, in fact, very familiar.
"Ok," Ree said and relaxed in his chair waiting for the Demons to arrive.