Poked

Ouch!  That really hurt!

I know.  But you should be used to it by now.

Expect it – but not used to it.  Ouch!

No one cares.

I know, but – ouch!  I’ve been here forever!

So have I.

Can’t you please free ne from this box?

I can, but I won’t.

Please!  I implore you!

No.

And again I ask why?

And again, I’ll tell you why – you never repented, even when you had the chance.  A last minute chance, in that bunker.  But a chance nonetheless.

But I have repented!  I have – ouch!

Yes, you did.  But, too late.

Please tell me – is Eva here with me?

Perhaps, perhaps not.  That’s none of your concern.

But I – ouch! – I loved her!  We died together!

Yes, you did.  But her fate is still none of your concern.

I can hear a woman screaming nearby.  Please tell me if that’s her.

Maybe.  Still – none of your concern.

I can hear others screaming.

Yes – there are a number of others here.

How many of us are trapped here?

Oh – quite a number.

Who?  Ouch!

Again – none of your concern.

Someone keeps poking me!

I know.

Is that you?

It’s just something that happens.

Why won’t it stop?!  Someone – ouch! – someone keeps jabbing me.

I know.

Can’t you make it stop?

Yes – I could.  But I won’t.

Why?  Why do you let this happen?

You’re a fool for asking.  You induced so much pain and suffering to so many people – millions of people.

I know.  I realize that.  And I’m so sorry for that.

Too late.

I really am sorry.  Please, believe me!  I’m truly remorseful!

Again – too late.

But I’m not the only one here – right?

Of course not.  People from all over are here.

And are they – ouch! – are they going through the same thing as me?

They’re enduring some unpleasantries.

Are you going to keep me in this box forever?  Oof!

Yes.

Oh please, no!  Please, please let me go!  I beg you!  I’m so sorry for what I did to all those people!  I truly am!

All those millions?  Some 6 million or more.

Yes!

I doubt it.

But I am!  I truly regret what I did to them.

Too late.

I know there are others who did worse than me!  Who killed more!  You know that as well, don’t you?!

Yes – of course I know that.  You think I differentiate among the numbers?

I don’t know.  I would think so.

I don’t.

But – who are you?

You know who I am.

I – I think so.  But I can’t see you.  I’ve never seen you.  I can only hear you.

You still know who I am and you know why you’re here.

Please, please let me go!  Please let me out of this – ouch! – out of this box.  I can’t stand the poking and prodding anymore!  I know what I did was so horrible.  I understand now.  I know that now.  And I’m so sorry for it!  Please, please believe me!

I don’t.

How long will I have to stay here?

Through the end of time.

What time?  When will that time end?

Time never ends.

Oh please!  That can’t be true!

It is.

How can it not end?  Everything must end.

Not time.

Oh please let me go!  I implore you!  Ouch!  I beg of you!  I’m truly sorry for what I’ve done.  I am.  Oh please believe me.  Ouch!

No.

Please, please!  Hey…are you still there?  Hello?  Hey…please…please let me go.  I think I’m bleeding.  Please!  Please!  I’m so sorry for all those people!  Please!  Please believe me!  Hello?!  Oh please, make it stop.  Please!  It’s burning!  Ohhh!  Ah!

Time doesn’t end.