Strange
Sir Francis “walked own the familiar featureless corridor,” then “opened the familiar door,” but suddenly he stopped “abruptly.” “A stranger” sat at “his” desk. He thought he had confused the doors, really how “stupid” of him. Sir Francis “backed out and shut the door.” The man “studied it.” That was really confusing, for it had “his number,” so it wasn’t a mistake. However, “in the slot which had borne his name for twelve years” was now “a card type-written” with the name “Lorenzo Medici.” This imagery evokes a feeling of sadness, for Sir Francis can’t understand that he has been replaced.
The preparation
“Now, Mr. Barlow, what had you in mind?” asked Mortuary Hostess. “Embalmment” was an obligatory service, but “incineration” was “according to taste.” The crematory was “on scientific principles,” the heat was so “intense” that all “inessentials” were “volatilized.” One could choose “normal disposal” by “inhumement, entombment, inurnment or immurement.” However, the most popular one was “insarcophagusment.” That was “very individual.”Of course, it was for those with whom price was “not a primary consideration.” This imagery evokes a feeling of absurdity. Barlow just came to get his friend “buried.” Such a simple thing as that was made rather complicated.
The dream
Whispering Glades were “zoned.” Each zone had its own name and “appropriate Work of Art.” Of course, zones varied in “price” and “within the zones” the prices varied “according to their proximity to the Work of Art.” There were sites “as low as fifty dollars.” Of course, it was in “Pilgrim’s rest,” a zone they were “just developing behind the crematory fuel dump.” The most “costly” were those on “Lake Isle.” They ranged about “1,000 dollars.” Then there was “Lovers’ Nest, zoned and very, very beautiful marble replica of Rodin’s famous statue, The Kiss.” This imagery evokes a feeling of confusion, for it is as clear as a day that it is not an easy task to choose a proper place there.
