The Grim Reapers' Dilemma
A picture inspired story42 total reviews
Comment from Grammies
I loved this story and the play of words on death for the characters names. You added just the right amount of comedy relief and the thought processes for the second last paragraph was terrific.
One little error you may wish to edit in the second last paragraph:
- and I've think I have an idea ( and I think)
Great story.
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2012
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I loved this story and the play of words on death for the characters names. You added just the right amount of comedy relief and the thought processes for the second last paragraph was terrific.
One little error you may wish to edit in the second last paragraph:
- and I've think I have an idea ( and I think)
Great story.
Comment Written 21-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2012
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Thank you so much for the review and the nice comments. I really appreciate you pointing out the type I missed. I'm so glad you liked the story.
Beth
Comment from Mike Battaglia
Hello Beth
Well... What have we here? It never ceases to amaze me the stories I come across on this website - some of the most clever, most entertaining, well-written pieces of literature that I have ever come across - published or otherwise - anywhere. Your story, madam, snuggles comfortably into that catagory.
The idea of using the photo of the three reapers as inspiration was... inspired. The photo itself cries humor, and that's exactly where you took it. But your humor was subdued and subtle and told with a straight face, and for me that only made it funnier. The dialogue between these three out-of-work laborers is entire believable for what they are. Your sentences are tight, and your details sparce, as they should be for a piece of this nature. Not only that, but underneath the dry wit you managed to slip some social commentary in on the sly. I'm onto you (;
Conclusion: A professionally written, exemplary piece of satiracal fiction (or is it?). Set in a waiting room with no decorations, no props, no ambience, written almost entirely in dialogue, yet it couldnt be more visual. Humorously entertaining and highly readable with a natural, almost silky flow. No tricks up your sleeve at the end with a clever twist because the whole story is a clever twist. In essence: Brilliant. Well done, madam.
(;
--11g (Mike)
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2012
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Hello Beth
Well... What have we here? It never ceases to amaze me the stories I come across on this website - some of the most clever, most entertaining, well-written pieces of literature that I have ever come across - published or otherwise - anywhere. Your story, madam, snuggles comfortably into that catagory.
The idea of using the photo of the three reapers as inspiration was... inspired. The photo itself cries humor, and that's exactly where you took it. But your humor was subdued and subtle and told with a straight face, and for me that only made it funnier. The dialogue between these three out-of-work laborers is entire believable for what they are. Your sentences are tight, and your details sparce, as they should be for a piece of this nature. Not only that, but underneath the dry wit you managed to slip some social commentary in on the sly. I'm onto you (;
Conclusion: A professionally written, exemplary piece of satiracal fiction (or is it?). Set in a waiting room with no decorations, no props, no ambience, written almost entirely in dialogue, yet it couldnt be more visual. Humorously entertaining and highly readable with a natural, almost silky flow. No tricks up your sleeve at the end with a clever twist because the whole story is a clever twist. In essence: Brilliant. Well done, madam.
(;
--11g (Mike)
Comment Written 21-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 21-Aug-2012
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Wow! Mike, I am so flattered by your review. I think I'll print this our to read when I discouraged. I'm so glad you enjoyed this story and found it worthy of such praise.
Beth
Comment from Mastery
Outstanding writing, Beth. Flawless in your imagery and dialogue and the story holds up very nicely. I love your sense of humor here and there like this line:
"Well, guys, we've got a real dilemma on our hands," Yama said pushing back his hood and scratching at the top of his skull with the tip of his scythe. LOL
Very good candidate for story of the month in my opinion, beth. Best of luck with it. Bob
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Outstanding writing, Beth. Flawless in your imagery and dialogue and the story holds up very nicely. I love your sense of humor here and there like this line:
"Well, guys, we've got a real dilemma on our hands," Yama said pushing back his hood and scratching at the top of his skull with the tip of his scythe. LOL
Very good candidate for story of the month in my opinion, beth. Best of luck with it. Bob
Comment Written 20-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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BoB, I really appreciate the six stars. I enjoyed reading your comments. When I saw that picture, I wondered it there would be a way to make it humorous. Several people have called it dark humor. LOL
Beth
Comment from AlvinTEthington
This is quite amusing. But having gone to Yale, I don't get the reference to "Skull And Bones"; would you be so kind as to explain it to me? I do like the reference to Chicago. Good work.
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reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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This is quite amusing. But having gone to Yale, I don't get the reference to "Skull And Bones"; would you be so kind as to explain it to me? I do like the reference to Chicago. Good work.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 20-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Hi Alvin, I'm surprised you don't know about The Skull and Bones Society. President George Bush was a member of it. Adewpearl said she knew someone who was a member when she was doing graduate studies at Yale. From Wikipedia:
Skull and Bones is an undergraduate senior secret society at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. It is the oldest senior class landed society at Yale.
The society's alumni organization, which owns the society's real property and oversees the organization, is the Russell Trust Association, named for William Huntington Russell,[1] who co-founded Skull and Bones with classmate Alphonso Taft. The Russell Trust was founded by Russell and Daniel Coit Gilman, member of Skull and Bones and later president of the University of California, first president of Johns Hopkins.
Thanks for the review. I am surprised it is only good as you are the only one and I've got many sixes but I do appreciate you reading it. Since you didn't understand the reference, I'll put this info in my notes.
Beth
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I know about it, but the secret rituals are rather arcane. They really don't mean anything.
Comment from Meta~Mark
living in Chicago I can relate to this grim reaper and the violence that ensues.. Murder, War, and Suicide are all good fields. Gang Violence is another. I've heard they're hiring over in Chicago." excellent!
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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living in Chicago I can relate to this grim reaper and the violence that ensues.. Murder, War, and Suicide are all good fields. Gang Violence is another. I've heard they're hiring over in Chicago." excellent!
Comment Written 20-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Thank you so much for the review and the nice comments.
Beth
Comment from N.K. Wagner
HA! This is funny, Beth. I like the idea of specializing Reapers being put out of business and requiring retraining. Your names were creative. Well written. :) nancy
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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HA! This is funny, Beth. I like the idea of specializing Reapers being put out of business and requiring retraining. Your names were creative. Well written. :) nancy
Comment Written 20-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Thank you Nancy, I teally appreciate the review and comments. I'm glad you got a laugh.
Beth
Comment from marion
Hi there
When I read something that reeks of originality, it is always a contender for one of my six star reviews. I sometimes tire of reading the same thing, but this is a breath of fresh air! I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I did the play with words. Marion.
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Hi there
When I read something that reeks of originality, it is always a contender for one of my six star reviews. I sometimes tire of reading the same thing, but this is a breath of fresh air! I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I did the play with words. Marion.
Comment Written 20-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 20-Aug-2012
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Wow! Marion thank you so much for the great review. That is high praise for a wonderful writer like you. I truely appreciate the six stars.
Beth
Comment from Belinda
Hi, Beth, this is a very creative and imaginative piece, in which I learn something too. Coat hanger? Wow, do they really do that in the past? I like your humor too (from cheekbone to cheekbone, ha-ha) and how they celebrate the career opportunity with Bloody Mary...:)
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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Hi, Beth, this is a very creative and imaginative piece, in which I learn something too. Coat hanger? Wow, do they really do that in the past? I like your humor too (from cheekbone to cheekbone, ha-ha) and how they celebrate the career opportunity with Bloody Mary...:)
Comment Written 19-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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Hi Belinda, Thank you so much for the review and the comments. I think the coat hangers and the quinine was before my time but I've heard stories that women used to bring on abortions that way. Pretty gruesome, huh? I'm glad you found the humor in this.
Beth
Comment from jaydub99
Very well thought out and a interesting statement about where we, as a society, is heading. I like that it was created from a photo and how you took that image and created a dialogue between the three. I really enjoyed reading this.
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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Very well thought out and a interesting statement about where we, as a society, is heading. I like that it was created from a photo and how you took that image and created a dialogue between the three. I really enjoyed reading this.
Comment Written 19-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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Thank you so much for the review and the nice comments. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Beth
Comment from Donya Quijote
wow! A bad economy and advances in science put the reapers in the unemployment line. What an interesting tale you have woven here. It was very well thought out and conceived. You must have had a lot fun as you were writing this. Wonderfully done. Thanks for sharing....
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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wow! A bad economy and advances in science put the reapers in the unemployment line. What an interesting tale you have woven here. It was very well thought out and conceived. You must have had a lot fun as you were writing this. Wonderfully done. Thanks for sharing....
Comment Written 19-Aug-2012
reply by the author on 19-Aug-2012
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Thank you so much for the wonderful six star review. It was a fun story to write. I really enjoyed your comments.
Beth