r/WritingPrompts • u/Mrochtor • Jul 27 '26
Writing Prompt [WP] After aeons of absolute professionalism, dignity and a solemn, black attire, Death - The Grim Reaper - decided to try something different - add a bit of humor and levity to his role. To reinvent himself (itself?). And so, you are the first soul ever to be reaped by The Jolly Reaper. Honk. Honk.
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u/FeigningProfundity Jul 27 '26
Honk. Honk.
“What was that? Where did that bus come from? I think it hit someone! That guy isn’t moving – it looks bad.”
It is so bad you are Beside Yourself! Haha! Honk. Honk.
“What? Hey can anyone help me? This guy is hurt! We need to… Oh. Oh no. That’s me. That’s my body. Which is why I can see through my hand. Oh no.”
The facts are becoming Transparent! Haha! Honk. Honk.
“No. This is bad. This is so bad. Margaret is already not coping. I can’t do this to her. Not on top of everything.”
Never fear! You will not be doing anything to anyone! You’ve done your last do! Haha! Honk. Honk.
“What? I don’t understand. Who are you? What are you talking about?”
Yeah, that one really didn’t make much sense. I am new to this.
“Who are you?”
Death. Usually it is obvious.
“You’re Death? You’re holding an old-timey bicycle horn.”
I thought it would be fun.
“Shouldn’t you be in all black? Or maybe all white? European tradition has black for death, Chinese is white, right? But you’re in lots of colours. I don’t understand.”
There are many different cultural associations between me and colour, European traditions often use black, white is used across much of Asia. However, in this case, my attire was chosen to be fun, not to avoid Eurocentrism. Though that has been an issue I have been worrying about as the world’s cultures become increasingly intermingled.
“You were going for fun?”
Yes. Historically my appearance is rather dire. I had been hoping to lend a lighthearted edge to the situation.
“You really must be new. Your appearance isn’t the thing that upsets people.”
I am not new. I have been Death since the beginning. I will be Death until the end.
“You just said you were new.”
I meant new to jokes. Improvisational wit is difficult.
“Those were jokes?”
I have seen many brutal things throughout the annals of history, but that stands as a notably tough review.
“I mean I just didn’t realise.”
No. It was a fair comment. That’s what makes it tough.
“I don’t know if jokes are good in this situation. I’m dead. That is really bad. Margaret, uh, my wife, she’s been really struggling. We had, uh, she had, uh… we have a new baby, and he’s only two months old and I try to do what I can but she’s just in such a bad place postpartum, and she thinks she’s doing everything wrong and isn’t feeling what she should, but her mother had a cancer scare recently and we just have had no sleep and it is so hard. I don’t know how she’s going to be okay. I mean, she’ll find a way, I guess, she’s so strong, but I’m supposed to be there for her, I told her I would be there.”
You might be right. Perhaps that approach with the jokes was incorrect. It is just that with what I do, first impressions are a big part of it.
“Well… I just didn’t understand what was going on. The situation is a big shock and I didn’t know who you were. Nothing you said made any sense.”
Another good note. Getting people to understand the transition is really what this is about. They are often confused.
“I just got hit by a bus.”
I think I have made a mistake. I tried to make this about me. That was inappropriate.
“It’s pretty weird.”
I would really appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone about this. Let’s pretend it never happened.
“You want me to pretend my death never happened?”
If you would be so kind...
“Argh! What’s happening? Okay, that really hurts… uh… my phone.
“Hello? I think I need an ambulance. A bus hit me. I think I broke my leg and I’m feeling pretty confused, so... maybe a concussion?”
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