Ah, I see. Well, that only adds validity to your feelings, hon. That means everything really does make less sense. I hear you. No need to be embarrassed about that, none at all. Well, if you need anything at all, I…I’m here. I know we’ve only just met, but I’m more than happy to help. And, I have a spare room as well, if things ever get to be too much. You have a safe space, I mean. If you want the truth, though, I’m not sure anyone ever really feels like they’ve learned to be an adult. That’s good, though I’m sorry you had a tough night. Do you want to talk about it? Any specific questions I might be able to help answer?
Fantastic lol! Well, feel free to ramble any time! Oh, nineteen. So young. I’m sorry, darling. For whatever it’s worth. Sweetheart…I’m not going to pretend to know your life, or to even be able to guess what you or your mother is feeling. But you know, this isn’t the end. We know now that there is something more, something beyond the devastation of the Earth. She won’t hurt forever, and even though it may not seem like much now, hold onto it.
Thanks for listening to the mess that I am.
I, would I be able to stay with you? Just for a week or so until I get my feet in this place. I understand if not but you’ve just been so kind and I’m grateful. Somewhat, it depends. Can I confess something to you?
You’re good at public speaking and motivational ones at that. I am kinda coming to terms with everything. I had pizza and salad for dinner. One good, one bad thing. I watched some TV and tried to find some sort of schooling. I hope your day was good. I guess it can be as you can just choose what you want to do.
Just you and your mom? That’s fair enough though, I get what you mean. The days start to blend and it gets easier.
Keeping busy and keeping active are never bad things, especially if it keeps you out of trouble, I think people would try to tell you can’t get in trouble here but…. one only has to look to the gossip to see maybe that’s not so true. Like I said, five miles every morning, let me know if you want to join.
That’s valid. Few people get away with calling me Hunt, but I always knew I was in trouble when Mother or the Colonel broke out my middle name and called me Hunter William.
Yeah I didn’t know my Dad. Mom- I didn’t know about him until I was a teenager and didn’t really get chance to meet him. It wasn’t his fault but I still kinda feel- y’know. It’s complicated. Do- do you have kids? Did you want them?
5 miles? Well, I’ll do my best, I trained for the 5000m run. That usually about 3 miles or so. My endurance is good- no, I got this. Sure. 5 miles. Let’s go.
You went to a military school right? I mean- I get that from Colonel. You Mom sounds nice, she thought a lot of you, from the concern I mean. It’s a mother’s weapon to pull out the middle name. William is a good name, I should know.
Did you have a house before? You seem kind of young but then again we can choose what age we want to be. You have a punching bag? Do you like to box? I run 5 miles every morning, you’re more than welcome to join me if you’d like.
Alright… Just Will. That’s strange but, at least Just Will distinguishes you from the Architect Will.
No, my Mom and I lived in an apartment. I dunno, I mean, It’s hard to consider what age I’d want to be when didn’t make twenty? I don’t know how to picture myself at thirty or how to act like I’m thirty..... I’m doing well for Day 3.
Like is a strong word, it was more of a past-time. Kept me busy when I was bored and it’s a way I worked out other than running.
Well- uh- yeah William Jacobs is my name... I prefer just Will though. Only my mothers and teachers called me William. I feel like I’m in trouble when I hear it.
What was their focus while they were alive? Were they working? Were they in school? Were they a student? Were they well off, middle class, or poor?
William Clarington was a senior, finishing out his last year of High School.
He had every ounce of drive and ambition in his bones but that didn’t stop him from struggling academically. For that reason he was held back a year to help him catch up. Will was somewhat uncomfortable about that but he found advantages and positives to the situation; just as his mother taught him.
The young man played on the school baseball team and had also been chosen for the school track team. He took both of these sports with great seriousness and dedication. His passion and hobby for baseball seeped into his love for the game and he often worked towards game dates.
He grew up in a poorer family; where the dishwasher only worked if you gave it a hard kick; lights chose when they wanted to work; and they always seemed to be short at the end of the month. His mother often worked night-shifts and while she tried to get sitters for him or the old lady down the corridor to watch him, he was trusted to be on his own from a young age. Will didn’t really know much family outside of his mother in the run down apartment in downtown Vegas. His skateboard saved them money for the bus and he got used to little habits and ways to save money.
He was once pulled up by the principle for selling candy and other unattainable items in school, which in an argument he confessed was to help pay for the rent. Telling her that he felt useless and wanted to contribute than watch her struggle, plus, the fact it meant she could be home more often.
How does your character see their newly ended life right now?
How do they see themselves as a person?
Will is confused right now. He’s still trying to process everything going on. His main emotion is fear, he’s afraid of the unknown. He doesn’t have his mother for a comforting hug or to whisper a cliche “it’ll be okay.”
He has anger inside him, he’s angry he was robbed from the opportunity of a life. He never really knew where he was going and what he was going to do but he’s angry he wasn’t given the chance. He had nineteen years of school and that was it. He hadn’t made something of himself yet.
Finally, Will feels guilt. He’s shed tears for his mother and hates the thought of leaving her alone. He doesn’t know of his death for fear of what happened. Nothing ever happens in his plain, little life. He worries how she’s coping on her own and blames himself for leaving her on her own.
What is the truth of what they were like as a person while they were alive?
Will was a good kid. He stood up for what he believed in, which was sometimes disliked by his classmates. Will could be short tempered and quick to jump into fights if someone disgraced his family name or the lack of a father in his life. His mother had tried to get him into a good school, which was where most of their money went. Yet, William felt like he never fitted in. It was like they knew he wasn’t one of them. He was kind and considerate even if he was naive and a little gullible. He could sometimes be careless with his comments and that could mistakenly lead him down a path of trouble,
I suppose if you are into that, yes, Emma can get you one.
There is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to the comforts of home. We do what we have to to get by. It is a pretty great neighborhood. Have you discovered the ways in which your house has been perfectly designed for you? For instance, I have a small home gym and a pool. Oh, I’ve been here for a while. I could tell you how long but it might not make sense because as I’ve been told time is kind of fluid here, especially in reference to the Earth. So if I said a week, it might only be seven days, but I could have died on Earth hundreds of years ago. And I think the answer to that is no, never. It is very unnerving being someone who’s been trained their whole Earthly life to anticipate anything…. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to anticipate her.
I’m Hunter Clarington.
My house- that still feels weird to say. It’s like a city apartment. Kinda like home but with a lot more fancier things and electronics that work. It has a punch bag in the game room but that’s it for a gym. I’m more of a track runner.
I never had any pets so I don’t know the answer to one. And there is access to literally anything you want to see.
Although, I wonder if we can have pets here…. maybe something cute and fluffy might be good.
Welcome to the Good Place.
I’m still learning that everything seems to be on-hand and whenever.
I’ve always wanted a dog. The apartment I lived in had a policy so we never could get one. What pet would you get? I’d probably get a puppy but a turtle would be quite cool. Is there a zoo here? I feel like there should be.
Once again, I’m rambling. I’m sorry. Thank you for the welcome.
You could ask Emma or the Architect. We do have Netflix– or, well, every show that’s on Netflix and then some. You can definitely catch up on shows here. And I guess you’ve got the time, so why not?
Spend the rest of my life-- hold on, should I say “rest of my death?” -- still trying to figure out the whole lingo around here. Did you know we can’t swear? I spent my whole life being scolded by my mother and told I could do what I wanted to at twenty-one. Now I don’t even get to do that. I never introduced myself. I’m Will.
I thought of the second question, but not the first. We’ve got all the tv in the world here, luckily. If you’re into Game of Thrones, stay tuned into the gossip blog; they seem to be trying to craft a new season, the Good Place edition.
I haven’t seen any animals here yet but surely there must be right? If I can’t be reunited with my old hamster, maybe I can befriend a new animal. The Gossip Blog? Great so we’re all going to go to war and battle over a chair; lovely.
While I can appreciate sticking to the comfort of routine, you can have literally anything besides cold cereal. It does take a while to get used to everything. Wait until things show up when just a day or so ago you were talking about them. Like those creepy facebook ads for things you spoke about recently. The Architect or the Good Place Emma can help you with anything you need though. They’ve got the real scoop.
Wait, things just pop up out of no-where? I finally got my Hogwarts letter.
I think home comforts are the only thing I’ve got right now. I will say I spent a little more time wandering around the neighbourhood. I- how long have you been here? Do you ever get used to Emma just materialising out of no-where?
Paradise, the Good Place…I think in my own mind, they’re essentially interchangeable. I mean, Paradise was said to include a mansion, designed to your own preferences and specifications. While I wouldn’t call my home here a mansion, I can’t say it isn’t everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Paradise was described as a place of joy, happiness, an eternity of no worries, freedom from the bonds binding us to human life. Here, there is a sense of joy, I think. In many ways. Places. The concept in and of itself is joyous. I don’t know about you, but no longer having to worry about bills and food and work and all the other stresses of life has been pretty incredible. Here, there is freedom, it comes with being released from those responsibilities. But…I will say, I see the cheekiness of everything I just mentioned. After all, we aren’t completely free from worries, or the niceties of being human. We’re still wearing clothes. Having relationships. We’re still feeling. I think there’s something there I’d like to explore, actually. I’ll have to think on it a while, though.
That’s alright, that’s a perfectly normal feeling. It’s a lot to process. Death, this new way of ‘life’, new rules, new faces…I understand where you’re coming from. From what I can tell, almost all of us are surprised. This is certainly nothing like the Bible stories we were told as children. I think in some ways, it has created some turmoil for some folks, which is sad. But, self-reflection is never a bad thing, if you ask me. After all, we now have to live with ourselves for eternity. A little understanding will go a long way once we all start getting sick of each other. Though, I wonder if that will even happen? I mean, from everything I’ve seen, we are still capable of feeling negative emotion, despite being in the Good Place. So it would stand to reason that we’d eventually experience feelings of claustrophobia at some point…But, then that would defeat the purpose of eternity in the Good Place and…Oh, my. I apologize. I’ve begun to ramble. At any rate, you shouldn’t feel bad, This is a learning curve for all of us, dear. How old are you, if I may ask? No, no worries. I understand what you mean. I’ll tell you a secret- I cried for my mom my first night here.
I guess before this I didn’t have to worry about those either. My Mom did, I was just short of finishing high school. I got held back a year. My Mom worried about the bills and food and stuff like that. I just did my homework and made sure to do my chores. I guess it’s why this place is so confusing. I’m not used to being on my own. I don’t feel ready to be an adult. I don’t, I think I’m a little more accepting of being here after a restless night sleep but still confused.
No, I ramble too. I suppose we have that in common. I’m nineteen, my name’s Will. I could use some lessons on being an adult. I felt the same all night. I feel guilty. Growing up it was just Mom and I. Now she has no-one. I also didn’t ask to know how I died and now I’m wondering what kind of state I left her in.
1) Are my old pets here and where do I find them?
2) Do I have access to Netflix? --- I finally caved and started watching Game Of Thrones. I did not go through all of that to not see how it ends.
Okay, okay, I’ll admit… getting to have as much of whatever I wanted for breakfast was great. But I have a feeling strong character will be needed to control impulses. What did everyone else have for breakfast this morning?
Breakfast. The same as it has been the past 19 years. Cheerios. I guess old habits die hard. Can’t say I’m used to this place yet; just got off the bus.
I can’t lie, it has been a tough couple of days, for being in paradise and all. Still, things have to get better…Right? I’m considering making grilled chicken salad for dinner. If anyone is interested in joining, just let me know! I can always make more.
Paradise? I thought this was The Good Place?
I have to be honest, I’m still about 63% still in denial about all of this. I presumed we’d all have our own cloud and then just be able to materialise chocolate fudge sundaes whenever we please. Is there like a daycare for people who haven’t a clue how to look after themselves? Now, I wish my Mom was here. Wait, is that a bad thing to say. It’s not like I want her dead but- I’m gonna shut up now.
“I’m actually starting to kind of like it here. Maybe death isn’t so bad after all.”
I love how calmly you said that.
Am I radiating with newbie vibes yet? Why does this feel like the first day of school. Uh, well here goes. I’m Will, I’m 19 and I never learned how to forking read. Is vine still dead here or did it get revived? Wait, how old are you? Do you even know what vine is or are you a grandpa? Oh that was rude. I’m sorry.
I thought I could avoid asking how I died for a least a couple more years but curiosity got the best of me. Well safe to say that as a nurse I should’ve known better than to text and drive.
I feel like I’m the only one weirded out by all this. You’re cool with this whole... thing? I mean, I can’t do anything about it. I don’t really- I probably sound like such a newbie. So this is what happens after? Excuse me, I’m thinking out loud.
Let’s start over. Am I supposed to say I’m sorry to hear that? I need a manual on how to be dead. I don’t think I’m doing this right. Uh- right.. Hi, I’m Will. You’re probably regretting being the first person I ran into here.
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