And now, for the grand finale! (Click here for Part 1 and Part 2. Yes, it’s definitely best to read them in order for context.)
Jeremy nodded slowly, finally understanding. “I thought I was crazy, thinking being Dead was a gift, but when I think about it, it makes sense. Like video games? You’ve got all eternity to play them! Ever had a question you couldn’t find the answer to? It’s here! Well, somewhere. You get the point.” He was ecstatic. “I just had a great idea! I could help you welcome them! We could give them the grand tour!”
Death grinned, amused. He let himself laugh at the thought, then told Jeremy, “You act as if this were some beach resort in Florida. Or Hawaii.”
“Don’t you get it?” Jeremy asked, still bouncing up and down as if Death hadn’t said anything. “We could make it one!”
Death sighed. He hated to burst Jeremy’s bubble, but it was so unreal. Somebody had to. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, Jeremy, but this is the Underworld. I don’t think it’s just going to magically zap into a tropical beach resort.”
Jeremy’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” But even though he seemed to, Jeremy hadn’t given up hope. He studied for days and nights, reading every piece of written material in the Underworld.
“Woah! You’ve got all eternity to read! There’s no rush!” Death exclaimed, walking into Jeremy’s office where he was greeted by a turned back and typing fingers. He looked around and noticed piles of books scattered everywhere, each labeled with a little tag.
“Oh! You’re just in time! I’ve just finished those books.” He pointed to a short stack of books about Florida. “Could you return them to the Underworld library?” Death grabbed the stack and carried them to the library, where Miss Arkik gratefully checked them back in. Miss Arkik had been a librarian as one of the Living and was happy to do the same job as one of the Dead.
“Got it!” Jeremy yelled as Death walked back into his office.
“Got what?” Death asked, confused.
“The solution for how to make this place a tropical resort! Do you want Florida or Hawaii?”
Death sighed. “Hawaii, I guess.” If anyone could figure out a way to make the Underworld a beach resort, it was Jeremy.
Jeremy started rattling on about what they would need. “You get the sand and the salt.” He said. “I’ll get the building materials and the furniture.”
They left, returning a couple hours later. They poured several tons of sand out across the Underworld and then filled the rest with water. Then they added salt into the water and fish native to Hawaii.
Next, they started building hotels and houses around the sandy areas. After they paved some roads, they equipped the Underworld’s upper walls and ceilings with sprinklers and leaf blowers to serve as precipitation and wind.
Jeremy stood at the edge of the Underworld Executive Balcony looking out proudly at his work of art. “You did it.” Death said beside him, smiling in awe at the scene before them, including the water lapping the beach’s edge.
“No.” Jeremy corrected him. “We did it.”
And, there you go! The third and final part of my story. What do you think? Which part was your favorite? Did you like the story?
