“Hello, My name is Flint and I’m one of the many operations managers here. I know some of you have several questions, some religious, and perhaps some ethical concerns. I want to assure you that one of our many chaplains on staff will address all your questions and concerns. Please hold all questions until you’ve been introduced to your assigned chaplain”
Flint, a tall lanky man, wore a silver suit, held his head up high, and smiled as he walked into the room. His perfectly crafted face gave them a reassuring smile. Flint spoke with warmth, as this man had hosted this same presentation countless times before. He had the confidence and charisma of a man who had spoken at many conferences in his past life. As the man stepped into the light of the projection, the words Continuation Inc. lay projected onto him. The man blocked a good portion of the screen behind him, his shadow left a silhouette that stretched out behind him.
“When you retrieve your file, please keep it close and don’t lose it, as you will need to take that file to your chaplain. Once you have your file, when your name is called again, please enter the door to your right. The door to your left is for Continuation Inc. employees only. Please listen to your name and follow directions, as failing to follow directions, such as losing your folder, or missing your name call may cause a delay to your passage to your next destination”
Flint continued to give a reassuring smile as he glanced across the room. An assistant walked out, with a not-so-welcoming expression. She wore a silver polo shirt and khaki pants. Around her neck was a lanyard that had a pattern of silver stars. An employee badge hanging from the end of the lanyard. Looking irritable, the assistant had one arm holding onto a stack of manila folders. Using her free hand, she tapped a square button next to the door. The lights in the room gradually lit up.
Flint turned and pointed towards the assistant, “Please listen to Trish. Once she calls your name, please walk up to grab your folder. Then please return to your seat, your name will then be called again when it’s your turn to speak to the chaplain. Remember, at that point, go to the visitor’s door on your right You’re chaplain will guide you from there”
Another assistant walked out, wearing the same uniform as Trish. This assistant had a stack of papers held tightly with both hands. She was avoiding eye contact with the crowd.
Flint gave the audience a smirk, “Don’t mind the new hire, she’s a little shy. Chelsea will be handing out a general F.A.Q. sheet.
Chelsea walked down the row, handing each person in the chairs to the left of Saylee a sheet of paper. As she did, she licked her thumb quickly before handing a flimsy sheet to the person with the same hand.
As Chelsea walked up to Saylee, Saylee spoke quickly, “Wait!”. The assistant Chelsea paused, a quizzical expression on her face.
Saylee, embarrassed by her own words, continued with a gentler tone, “Please don’t…please don’t lick your thumb before handing me my paper. I just always found that…unsanitary. It’s one of my pet peeves”
Chelsea’s check’s redden in embarrassment. She didn’t say a word, instead, she tried to take just one sheet of paper off the stack with one hand, while the other hand held the stack of papers. The woman started to fumble with the top sheet of paper.
Saylee started to feel awful as the woman started to appear frustrated that she couldn’t get a grip on the top paper.
Saylee stood up and easily grabbed the top paper.
“…Thank you”, Saylee said quietly, feeling an overwhelming amount of discomfort grow as she felt everyone’s eyes in the room staring at her.
Chelsea didn’t say a word, she continued past Saylee and easily handed Gabe a sheet of paper. She moved quickly as she handed out the remaining papers to the others seated in the row.
Gabe glanced at Saylee before covering his face with the paper, “I feel embarrassed for you”
Saylee leaned over to his ear, “Shut up”
Gabe lowered the paper slowly, and his amusement reached his eyes, “Sorry but that was hilarious. I don’t believe germs can affect us. I’m pretty sure we’re some sort of ghosts”
Saylee aimed her paper towards his head, swinging the paper halfheartedly like a blunt weapon. Gabe played along and dodged, the paper hitting his shoulder instead.
The goofy grin on his face only grew, as he let out an exaggerated “ow”
Flint coughed and then spoke up, his smile diminishing, “Hey, calm down back there or I’ll be forced to call security”
The two of them sat up straight. Saylee placed her face into her palm. Waiting for her smile to fade.
She glanced over to the paper she held, actively trying to forget the others around her looking in her direction with obvious disapproval.
She skimmed over the sheet’s questions and answers. Saylee took a deep breath.
Deciding that this was information important, she took her time to read the information:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to ask any questions not listed here to your assigned chaplain.
Why am I here?
Unfortunately, You died.
What happens next?
You will be going through processing to start a new life on what is called New Earth. It’s an inhabitable planet that looks and feels like Earth, but better!
What is Continuation Inc?
A thousand or so years ago (depending on when you’re reading this) the deity Chrestotes spoke to the Cosmic Council of the Gods (C.C.G). The deity spoke on behalf of humans and the humans on Earth, asking the C.C.G. to consider offering more time to humans whose lives have ended too soon, before receiving their final judgment. The head of the C.C.G., the deity Dyna, liked the idea and so the other council members unanimously agreed. Dyna put Chrestotes in charge of overseeing the project. Dyna selected a few human souls to oversee the project. Those lucky humans selected to be part of Continuation Inc., will receive Chrestote’s blessing during their final judgment.
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Why is it called New Earth?The first occupants on the new planet couldn’t agree on the new world name. Chrestote’s, patience winning thin, had decided on the name New Earth, as all of the new world’s first occupants unanimously agreed that the name was terrible. The planet has been referred to as New Earth ever since.
What should I expect on New Earth?
There are plenty of opportunities and fun during your stay on New Earth. You’ll be there during the remainder of your soul’s journey.
What happens if I die again on this New Earth?
You’ll be at that point, guided by one of our many friendly reapers to the beyond to face judgment.
What did I do to deserve this?
We can assure you that you didn’t deserve this. You have died before your allotted time. Regardless if it was due as a result of someone’s actions or something else out of your control. Your soul’s journey has experienced an inconvenient pit-stop, an unforeseen pause in your soul’s set time of judgment. We apologize for this inconvenience. We are glad to inform you that you will be able to continue your soul’s journey, for the remainder of your soul’s allotted judgment years, on the New Earth.
I have unfinished business, Can I go back to say my goodbyes and prepare before I continue from here?
Unfortunately, you cannot return. We kindly advise you to avoid trying to plot a return back to the old Earth. Only authorized personnel are allowed to travel to Earth at any time. Per the deity Dyna’s decree, no one may return to their prior life. No exceptions. Anyone found to be breaking this ruling will suffer the consequences determined by the authority of the C.C.G. Depending on the severity of the crime, the punishment for breaking this decree may result in eternal damnation or your soul being wiped from existence.
I feel that my peculiar case would warrant an exception. Can I put in a request for an exception to the C.C.G. to be made to return to my old life?
No.
How much longer before I face my final judgment?
The time frame will be provided by the chaplain. If you choose to expedite the process to your final judgment, please let your chaplain know and they’ll discuss the options available.
I have a complaint, or would like to give feedback on my experience, who do I talk to?
Please share your feedback or complaint with your assigned chaplain.
I do not consent to being here, as it goes against my religion or beliefs. What are my options?
I’m sorry for the inconvenience, please bring your concerns to your chaplain. We will accommodate the best way can here at Continuation Inc.
Is there food or drinks available?
Food and Drink will not be provided and is not necessary during the processing phase. Once you have been placed into a physical form, you will be able to eat and consume once again.
Where are the restrooms?
Bodily functions are not active while you’re in a spirit form. You will feel those functions return once you have been placed into your physical form.
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Saylee put down the paper, placing it on the floor under her seat.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, she kept to her thoughts, as the people around her got up to grab their folders when their name was called.
None of this makes logical sense, is she still dreaming? Is this a nightmare? Did she drink too much caffeine before bed? That would explain the vividness of this dream she thought.
Gabe tapped her shoulder, “Hey, hey, um, what was your name again? It was Saylee, right? I think they’re calling your name. You better hurry, I wouldn’t want to keep that worker waiting.”
Gabe was tapping her shoulder repeatedly, Trish noticed and glared at Saylee.
Saylee looked up, shaking her thoughts as way. She noticed Trisha looking at her with a fierce look of impatience.
“Oh, I’m sorry”, Saylee stood up, walking past the others in the row of chairs. The people with their folders were browsing their files with an assortment of emotions.
As Saylee grabbed the file that was handed over to her, she heard her name called out from behind her.
“Saylee Shinma. You’re next”
What, so soon? she thought.
Saylee turned around, and a man in a white lab coat was looking around the room from the visitor’s door. The man wore a white lab coat that covered his button-up shirt and jeans. He had a bow-tie with a pattern of different planets.
Saylee raised a hand, holding the file tightly with her other hand, “that’s me”
He adjusted his glasses, gave her a friendly welcoming smile, and waved her over, “Come with me! I’ll be your chaplain”
The man held the door open as Saylee. She noticed Gabe, giving an exaggerated wave along with a goofy grin, “See ya on the other side!”
She felt a pang of sadness as she left Gabe behind. She barely knew him, but he was the only one so far who had shown her genuine kindness since her death.
Now she was on her own with this unknown man. She felt anxious as she passed the man holding the door. When she walked in, she heard the door slowly closing behind her. The man walked ahead, waving his arm forward once, “Follow me.”
Saylee held her file tightly, glancing around the hall. It was a long hallway, with dozens of identical doors. Bright white fluorescent lights sporadically lined the ceiling tiles. Each door had a plaque with a name. At the end of the hallway, were double doors.
“This looks more like an office building than a space station”, she accidentally blurted out loud before.
The chaplain glanced back once with a nod, he continued walking forward, “This is intentional, the higher-ups wanted this place to feel more familiar, in comparison to what you’d expect a space station to look like. We’re almost there”
They continued in silence for another minute.
The man stopped and opened a door to his left. He looked back at her as he held the door open, “You first”
Saylee awkwardly walked around him and entered, “Thanks”. She stood there awkwardly in front of a desk. The room had wallpaper with the design of an office, with life-sized images on the walls, an assortment of filing cabinets, frames of degrees and awards, and a bookshelf. There was a fake window behind him, which was an in-wall TV that had a fitted picture frame around its border. A moving beaching was on a loop. The TV was on mute. The desk in front of her only held a tablet, propped up with a stand. There were two chairs, bolted into the ground, one in front and behind the desk.
The chaplain closed the door softly behind her, “Please, please, have a seat”
The man walked past her, to stand behind the desk, pointing at the empty seat in front of him, “Please, relax, I imagine you’ve been through a lot and have a lot of questions”
Saylee slowly took a seat, before slowly presenting the manila folder in front of her, “Um, do you need this?”
The chaplain, with a chipper disposition, adjusted his glasses before taking a seat, “Oh yes, please, and thank you”. He reached over grabbed the folder, and placed it on his desk. He clapped his hands once and stood up with a look of embarrassment. “Sorry, how rude of me, let me introduce myself. My name is Dr. Randy Benn, but you may call me Benny. I’m your assigned chaplain. I’m essentially your all-in-one support counselor, your go-to emotional support therapist, and your career coach…basically, I’m your new life support. I’ll be there to help however I can, you can reach me 24/7. I’ll be helping you adjust. The one you can rely on. Strictly platonic at all times, of course, I’ll be there for you for the rest of your life here on New Earth”
The man leaned forward over his desk with his hand out towards her, “It’s nice to meet you Saylee”
Saylee stared at him, speechless. She gave a limp handshake.
Benny nodded, taking a seat, before looking in her direction again with a pleasant smile, “any questions, if not, I got a few questions. Then we’ll be able to proceed with your career placement, your accommodations, and what day to expect your next death”