Sex, Murder and Fun 1 Purgatory

The man walked into the Diner soon after he pulled over in his car. His car was an ancient Buick 1972 Model Skylark; V-8 engine with the two doors feature and his color was the original royal blue but given the years he had the car the shade of the royal blue was a fading blue. Like the car, he was past the marker of the middle age and was reaching his late fifties. He was wearing the corduroy light brown jacket double-breasted over the white collared shirt and faded blue jeans. He had on a pair of worn moccasins with the shoulder bag slung over his chest. His hair was waist length and held at the forehead by the red bandanna. It was not his Western dressing that impressed his looks but his set of blue eyes with the high cheekbones that caught the first impression. He had the slim frame but on a closer look, you could see the muscles rippling there with every move.

The man saw inside the Diner was five sets of tables and chairs lined up on the front next to the windows, while the long counter covered the length of the Diner and was lined up with eight seats. There were five persons patronizing the Diner; three were seated on the counter facing the two waitress and behind them was the kitchen with three staff. The other two were seated singularly on the two of the five tables.

The man took a seat on the counter and then grabbed the menu card. There were some flies on the menu and were shooed off by the man.

“Hello, Mister. What would you like?” The man was greeted by one of the waitresses named Alice. He in turn also shooed the flies. The man who had taken the seat looked to the menu and then voiced out his order.

“Coffee and burger coming up.” It was a simple order. The man then looked at the clock on the wall behind the counter. It read ten minutes to six in the evening. He saw the waitress took his order and then relayed the order to the kitchen. He was served his coffee soon after.

“Is that your dog out there?” The waitress at the counter asked. The man turned to look and then shook his head. The dog was seated on its hinds outside the Diner’s and looking in.

“Nope. It was in my car and must have followed me here.” The man added on. “The dog is still not mine.”

The waitress then walked off to collect the order for the man. When the waitress returned with the order, the man asked for Maple Syrup.

“Did you say Maple Syrup? I doubt you will add that to your burger. It was for a waffle or our pancakes but those are served in the morning.”

“I do like the Maple Syrup, please. I once read that the best Maple Syrup is from these lands. Could I try some please?” The man smiled.

“Did you not read the town sign before you turn in?” The waitress raised the question.

“Uh-huh. I read the sign but could not make it out. Some crows were perched over it and they had the sign smeared with droppings. I doubt that your Maple Syrup. Just for curiosity, what is this place named?”

“Huh.” The server paused on the reply. “Its Purgatory.”

“As in Purgatory in the place where the demons are banished to?” The man asked. “Well, I may be in the right place. But could I have the Maple Syrup please?”

“What gives, Mister? You are in Purgatory and you said you were to be here.” The waitress behind the counter snapped back. “Mister, I am not pulling your leg here. This here is Purgatory. And we don’t serve Maple Syrup here.”

“Well, if you are not serving it, then I will have to get my own.” The man reached into his slung bag. He saw then his shoes. It was on his feet. He looked at the waitress and then continued on. “Please don’t take my moccasins. It belonged to me ever since I learned how to wore one.”

“Aha, here is my Maple Syrup. Do anyone want some?” The man looked at the waitress and then the other patrons who were looking at him.

“Mister, I think you are not wanted here. Please continue your drive and don’t stop here anymore.” The waitress glared at the man.

“I did not chance here. I came here to perform the task provided to me.”

It was then the patrons of the Diner all stood up from their seats to face the newly arrived guest. There were three men and two women. They were all dressed casually but the missed one attire; they were shoeless.

“Oh, am I in trouble here?” The man stood up holding the Maple Syrup in his right hand. “If I am, please allow me to explain what the Maple Syrup means to all of us.”

“It’s the syrup of life. It’s used for healing and at times casting out of demons.” The man spoke to the others who had then revealed their true selves. “The inhabitants of Purgatory need not fight me. I am not here as your enemy but to seek a lost soul. She came here on the pretense of leaving the family but her desire to be with them still lives on.”

“No one came to Purgatory without a reason. And that reason is only one. The termination of an evil life. Here in Purgatory, they are given the sanctuary of the next lifetime. We welcome them here to serve their new life here. Once they have cleared the penance of their evil ways, they will be moved to the next level which is the heavenly level. Or remain here as demons in Purgatory.” The waitress named Alice replied.

“I can assume that what was Purgatory was about; the transit point for the redemption of penance in their life. Have you also innocent souls that were deceived to be here?” The man hit back.

“How dare you invade our sanctum and lay those insults before us? Who are you?” Alice asked.

“I am Hatai the Shaman of the Nation People.  I am also the giver of life to the Nation People. I am protected by the Dog who is the Guardian.” The man who had said himself to be a Shaman introduced his companion. “Heed my caution, demons. The Dog is the Guardian of the Nation People. We are here to bring back a lost soul taken by the Skin Walkers. The soul that was misguided and led here to serve a lifetime of penance when there were none.”

“No soul is without penance.” Alice snapped back. “All souls have penance to redeem.”

“Well said, demon but are all the souls that passed on arrive here?” Hatai challenged the demons. There was no reply from Alice. “There would be many that are innocents that do not come to Purgatory, as there are flies that do not stay on the food you served.”

“Flies are alike to the ones that held penance. They are drawn to Purgatory.” Alice replied while the swarm of flies landed on the counter.

“No, the flies are here because of the Maple Syrup. It was attracted by the smell. Or shall I redefine it? It was lured here.” Hatai placed the Maple Syrup on the counter. “It’s the nectar of sweetness to the flies. Like Purgatory, it’s the place drawn to by the evildoers. Unfortunately, there is an innocent soul taken in by the evildoer here. I am here to return that soul back to its rightful realm.”

Alice glared at Hatai and then retreated to the kitchen window. There she was seen to speak to the kitchen staff. She then approached the Shaman.

“We heed your words, Shaman. The soul will be expunged from Purgatory and so were you and the Dog. Neither of you is wanted here.”

The Shaman took his leave and left the Diner. The Dog jumped into the side seat and the Buick was seen on its way. When the car reached the junction that had the direction signboard, a child was seen standing there with moccasin shoes held in the hand. Hatai stopped the car and opened the passenger door.

“Come, my child. You are going home to your mother. She cares for you.” Hatai smiled at the kid. “Next time, do not accept sweets from strangers. Even if they tell you its Maple Syrup.”