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And there came a time when Reverend Verthaine was all alone in the world. He was confused and depressed, for he did not know who he truly was. It was after a particularly boring night at the goth club that Verthaine found himself wandering the deserted streets in search of the meaning of his life. A heavy rain began to pour. So Verthaine zipped up his black leather jacket and sought the shelter of a lonely bus stop just up the street. He fished out his last cigarette, placed it in his mouth, then realized that he had nothing to light it with.
Verthaine looked around, but saw no one on the deserted sidewalk he could bum a light off of. He was about to place 'cig' back into his pocket when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He spun around, only to be momentarily blinded by the flame of a Zippo. He lit his cigarette and surveyed the stranger that stood before him. It was a middle aged man, ashen faced and grey of hair, with a matching grey suit. The man attempted a smile, but it came off looking more like a sneer. "Miserable night, isn't it, Verthaine. My, my, my, you look so sad," the grey stranger said, his voice a deep humorless rasp. "ERIS has abandoned you in this, your dark hour of despair. She cares nothing for you, my young gothic friend. But I do. Follow me and I will give you all your heart desires." Verthaine realized who was before him. "The only thing I desire, Greyface, is to be allowed to be me." The grey-suited man laughed a laugh that was devoid of any mirth or warmth. "Bow down before me, Verthaine, and I will give you the normal life you were so cruelly denied." The world exploded around Verthaine, and then he found himself in a nice suburban tract house. He was a loving husband with a normal life and normal kids. He had an office job, credit cards, mortgage payments, a boring sex life, and membership in the local country club where he played golf on the weekends. But Verthaine was not happy (actually he was bored to tears) and he cried out "Take me away from this, because this is not ME!!" He was back at the bus station. Greyface smiled once more. "That didn't work for you, huh? That's OK. We'll find something else for you. Worship me, Verthaine, and I will give you wealth beyond your wildest dreams." And lo, Verthaine found himself sitting by an Olympic-sized pool on the grounds of a huge mansion, a martini in one hand and a bevy of sexy young Hollywood starlets around him. Verthaine enjoyed himself for a while, but soon found this lifestyle empty and devoid of spirituality. He was secretly in debt, and the Mob was hot on his ass. Verthaine screamed out, "This sucks!! This unfortunately is still not me!!" Again, Verthaine was standing by Greyface in the cold bus stop. "Give yourself to me, Verthaine, and I will give you power beyond your wildest dreams!!" Verthaine thought it over for a second, then grabbed Greyface by the collar. "Get thee behind me, Greyface!! No more of your lies!! I serve the Goddess ERIS!! Only She can grant me my desires!!" All of a sudden, a big gust of wind blew from the south, and Greyface disappeared. The rain stopped, and Verthaine thought he heard the delicate sound of laughter, the sound of ERIS. She appeared before Verthaine, ruffled his hair and said "You're a good kid." Then she proceeded to get on the cross town bus. Verthaine waved to Her, and ERIS pointed at the bench as the bus sped away. Verthaine turned around and noticed an un-opened pack of cloves, a pack of Camel Wides, and a brand new Zippo lighter. He pocketed his finds, smiled and said "Hail Eris!" then turned and walked out of the lonely bus stop. |
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