Grim

Trainee number five fidgeted in his seat in the dark classroom. He was clothed in a flowing hooded black cloak. His scythe was propped up against his desk. He was nervous, anxious for his first assignment.

"Class," said the instructor, "yesterday we went over the issue of the introduction, how to approach the subject. Today we will talk about the passage."

Trainee number five raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"What should we do," he asked, "if the subject refuses to go."

"Not acceptable. Everyone goes. If they're on the list, they go."

The instructor spoke about the finer points of ushering the subject to the other side. At the end of the lecture, each student received a slip of paper with a name on it. He called it a training assignment--a real person, but expected to be easy.

Trainee number five looked at his piece of paper. It said, "Harry Yorn. 45 Harrington Road Rotterville, NJ. Age: 47." Should be interesting, he thought. He'd never been to New Jersey.