Southend U3A

Writing for Fun

A New Job - Gerry Miller

May 2014

I was excited and terrified and indeed all sorts of emotions were going through my mind. At last I had been given the nod that I could put myself forward for promotion. The choices weighed heavy on my mind, the instant drawback was that I did not know, nor indeed would I be told which of the top four positions was vacant. Was I up to each of them or indeed any of the four elite positions, would it make a difference if I knew what position it was.

'Trust' that was what I had been told I would not have been advised to apply had the great big chief not thought I was able. My training had been since birth and somehow my previous life experiences and the inherent wildness in my nature had terrified many in the past. I had loved to petrify all and sundry and had indeed grown in strength and power as I had done so. I had lured people to the wild side and terrified them to death whilst they were there. I knew that Nick had access to my total life history; the murders and mayhem I was deemed to be responsible for had not been seen a disadvantage. Yes I supposed I had lived life on the edge, I always believed that I was indestructible and had superhuman stamina. My parents had abandoned me at birth but had left me with the two T's, which is the ability to teleport and telekinetic energy. These in turn left me ensnared to the wild side.

As I thought about the skills I had and was indeed in the process of strengthening I became more excited at this job opportunity. I would be working with three others and the whole world was to be our workplace. This position would indeed not be a walk but a ride on the wild side, I was indeed coming home. If I was selected I knew that there would be a very short induction period and at a very select boot camp. I would indeed be the only one there and on completion of this I would be advised as to what position I would hold. Nick was everywhere watching everything, I did not always see him but the chill of his presence was felt. I knew the four colours representative of each position. In a pathetic way I did rather fancy to be the 'Pale Rider' if only for my long ago memories of Clint Eastwood in the film of that name. But what was to be would be and one of the four opportunities was to be mine.

I attended at the interview and was instantly selected and sent to the boot camp, boy did I work hard, and the whole twenty four hour nonstop lawlessness of the project was exhilarating. My stamina was beyond belief. I became more advanced in the skills of creating illusions and hallucinations and I must admit I gloried in this. I could see that my progress appeared to fit in with Nick's plans. A beautiful red Porsche suddenly appeared in the garage and stood alongside the stunning white mustang and the black Maserati; only the symbol of the so called 'Pale Rider' was missing. Maybe that was to be mine, whatever it was. Mind you a horse and car that looked the colour of rotting corpses did not have a lot of appeal!

I was given a stallion to ride and improved my cunning with a bow and arrows; it took practice in getting the arrows from the quiver load the bow and aim with some degree of accuracy at the targets set up. To do this as the pure white stallion continued galloping was no mean feat. I knew all the objectives for the four positions and knew that at times we would be working all together or in any variety of combinations. I was unsure if I wanted to be the 'Pale Rider' now and was uncertain if having to follow behind the others at times would suit my frenzied nature.

Without any warning I was sent to the Great Hall my investiture was imminent and I would start work immediately. Apparently the emptiness caused by the vacancy had already caused some concern and uncertainty in the world and people in high authority all over the globe were noticing a difference. This could not and would not be allowed to continue. Ready or not I was going to work and boy I would enjoy myself. After all I was only going to be bringing out what was already present in human nature. People are so easily corruptible all we provide are opportunities; no one has to avail themselves of these choices, or indeed choose the negative or greedy options.

As I entered the great hall Old Nick (or Lucifer as many call him) stood there in his glory. I could see the other three and I understood immediately that I was to be the red rider. The red stallion stood there snorting and pawing the ground, the red Porsche was parked alongside. The ring uniting the four of us was placed on my finger and the blood red great sword was placed into my hands. My task would be to continue to remove what peace was left in the world. I looked forward with great excitement to the creation of many hallucinations and illusions that would wreak havoc and drive people to levels of violence never seen before.

I remembered from my human life the words of T.S.Eliot.

Once again the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Death, War, Famine and Pestilence were united and to be set loose; the harbingers of the Last Judgement now rode forth into the world and the Prince of Darkness smiled as we left.

(1) The Waste Land, Burial of the Dead. T.S.Eliot

Death - The colour of rotting corpses -The Pale Rider followed by Hades, the resting place of the dead and often depicted with a Scythe (the Grim Reaper)

Famine - The Black Horseman carries scales on which grain is to be measured in famine, black used as a colour as only the rich would be able to afford the dye and they would drive up the prices and force the famines, the only horseman to have a voice.

War – Carries a Great Red sword the colour of Blood and Passion suggests the blood that is to be spilled.

Pestilence - The White Horseman carries a brass quiver filled with poisoned arrows containing the germs of all diseases.