Despair

A housefly flew into the hallway and landed on the ceiling. Then it rubbed its eyes with its front legs. It flew into the living room and settled on the floor. It looked around the empty room, then rolled over onto its back, extended its legs into the air, and died.

A black cat walked down the hallway. It briefly stopped to lick itself, then it continued until it reached the living room. It arched its back and hissed. It clawed the air. It sprayed. Then it tried to climb a drapery that was not there.

An infant crawled down the hallway. She stopped and looked this way and that. Then she continued crawling until she entered the living room. She cried out, "Mama!" But no one came.

A little girl skipped down the hallway, singing a lilt. Then she tiptoed into the living room and looked around the empty room. She imagined a dollhouse and began playing.

A drunkard staggered into the hallway. He fell and briefly passed out. When he woke up, he leaned against the wall to steady himself as he got to his feet. He staggered into the living room where he saw a large hole in a wall. He tried to step into it, but he fell. He got up and tried again to step into the hole. Once again he fell. There was no hole in the wall, but he saw it anyway.

A priest walked down the hallway, wearing his vestments and holding a Bible in his hand. He strolled into the living room. A voice spoke into his ear, “I do not believe in you. Instead of helping me, you just gave me less room on my deathbed."

The priest dropped to his knees and began tearing his religious robes into pieces, one after the other. He made knots in the remnants, tied them together and flogged himself.

A boxer entered the hallway after losing his fight. His face was bloodied and swollen. His gloves were still on. He lurched, then steadied himself. He walked down the hallway until he entered the living room. He touched the solid bottom of despair and began crying in spite of himself.

An actress entered the hallway and began walking toward the living room. Her makeup was impeccable. Her flowing blonde hair glistened. Her tight dress accentuated her curvaceous figure. She entered the living room and looked around. She was there alone. "My soul cries out," she said, "Where is my audience? I am nothing without you."

An old woman walked her blind dog down the hallway. She was limping badly. She stopped to rest. Then she continued until they entered the living room. She looked upward and cried out, "Why are there black holes in the sky? My dog can see. Why can't I see?" No one answered.

An old man slowly shuffled down the hallway. Hanging from his neck was a bag containing his prized photographs and keepsakes. His shoulders were stooped. His eyes gazed at the floor. He entered the living room and looked around. He suddenly screamed at the top of his lungs. Then he slowly turned around and shuffled back down the hallway.

The light in the hallway dimmed, then went out.