An Exercise in Dialog

by Richard Hannibal

Writer's note: Writers continually strive to write better, not for us, but for the reader. And, we all have our personal weaknesses. Mine is writing dialog and a writer friend of mine uses too much dialog in his stories. Therefore, we challenged each other — he would write a two-page story using only narrative and I would write a two-page story using only dialog. I didn't realize how difficult that was going to be. Even a screenplay has some narrative to describe such things as the environment where the story is taking place. My task was to do everything strictly with dialog. My story is a little esoteric, but I hope it causes some thought.

David - "Where am I?"

"You are with me, dear One."

"I am scared and it's so dark."

"Do not fear David, you are safe. You have loved a lot, and that love has given you great power. I am that power and I will keep you safe. Here, take my hand and I will show you the way."

How do you know me?

"Dear David, I know you because you and I are One. We have been together since the beginning and will remain until the end. Since there is no beginning or end, we are together for eternity. I have been waiting for you to understand this basic truth."

"I hear you and feel your hand, but I don't see it. How can that be?"

"You have been removed from the physical world. You are no longer limited by your five senses. You can now perceive everything — seen and unseen. At this place, communication is done intuitively. You do not hear. You do not see. We simply feel and communicate in the silent Now. Some call it unconditional love."

"I'm so confused, who are you?"

"I am everyone and everything that you have ever loved. Your ability to give and receive love in the physical world was great enough to provide you with a guide in this dimension. I am that guide. Like you, I have come from nowhere and everywhere. It is not possible to give a location of our origin. We just are."

"How did I get here?"

"Become aware, and that awareness will reveal everything that has been hidden behind the veil of life."

"I have not always done the right thing in my life. I remember a time of great confusion and despair when I was engulfed in the darkness of financial problems and the devastation of a lost love. I was without faith and hope and the futility of life overcame me. Then there was that final moment when a metallic taste filled my mouth, mixed with the bitterness of gun oil . . . and then a flash — Oh God, what have I done"

"Come"

"Where are we going? I see a bright light at the edge of darkness. Is that where we're going?"

"Yes, that light is all that there is — there is no more. We are all made from star-dust. Approach the light and you will slowly return home and realize you have always been one with the stars. Or, you can retain your feeling of separation and return to the physical world. You now have the wisdom to help your brothers and sisters overcome darkness and live in the Light. The choice is yours."

"I can see I was wrong and I took the easy way out. I am so ashamed."

"There is no right. There is no wrong. There just Is. We have a common interest, for we are all on the Path. We are all learning our lessons as we evolve to our place in Eternity. We cannot individually reach that place. We must all arrive together. Thus, the importance of helping each other, for in that, we help ourselves."

"Is it too late for me to return?"

"It is never too late in eternity, for eternity is all there is. What is your decision?"

"I want to return. I want to teach, and I want to learn. There is so much to learn."

"You have acquired great wisdom. Let love guide you. Now, go in peace."

"Wait, I have more questions . . . Wait! What's happening, I hear another voice, a sad and solemn voice. I am among tearful eyes and cold monuments."

"David was a father, husband and friend. However, he lived a troubled life and is finally at peace—ashes to ashes, dust to dust. You may now lower his casket gently into the ground. God bless you David."

"Where are you? I hear more voices among white walls, gleaming instruments and bright lights."

"Doctor, the head is crowning . . . the shoulders are out."
"Push Maria, push. One more push . . . that's it." Congratulations, you have a beautiful baby boy. Do you have a name picked yet?"
"I think I will name him David."