Heaven

He hadn't expected such a stereotypical view of death. Here he was, standing on a cloud in a line of souls leading up to a large gold and silver gate. From his end of the line, Adam watched as one by one, the souls of the dead stepped up to the angel guarding the gate, spoke a few words, then either entered the kingdom of heaven or fell screaming through the white fluff. He was near enough to the edge of his cloud to see pits of fire far below. He was surprised to see how few people actually dropped to Hell.

After a time, he came nearer the head of the line. He watched apprehensively as the person ahead of him stepped up to the angel. Adam had spent some time getting to know this person while waiting in line. His name was Mark, and he had been a multi-millionaire owner of a movie company. He seemed rather smug, and was certain that he would get into Heaven despite the zealously hedonistic lifestyle he had led. In fact, he found it amusing, seeming to know that his ‘evil’ nature would not prevent his entrance into paradise.

Adam was skeptical, until the angel asked Mark about the debauchery in his life. Mark did not answer, but offered the angel five one hundred dollar bills. The angel accepted, and Mark walked gaily through the gates of Heaven while Adam stood there gaping. 

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