Suddently, I found myself at the end of a very long line of people standing about four abreast. I'm not sure how I got there. The line is slowly shuffling forward. People are joining in behind me at the end of the line. They are all types of people, mostly old like me. I cautiously step out of the line to look around. The line is very long. Not much to see except a very bright but pleasant light up ahead. I am slowly coming to the conclusion that I must be dead.

Unbelievable. I recognize the surroundings as that reported by The National Enquirer. Of all things, the National Enquirer! They would be proud . . .

I didn't feel bad or upset, just a bit concerned. Then someone strolled by telling us that not to worry: "This is the lineup to heaven. he said. Then he explained that if we were in this lineup we would be admitted to heaven. With that reassuring thought we all relaxed.

Looking around I saw a man who looked exactly like Hitler. Having nothing better to do, I elbowed my way to him. "You look exactly like Hitler." I said.

"Yes," he replied, "I am Hitler."

I laughed and said, "No, I mean the evil Hitler of fifty-odd years ago."

"Yes, I know. I am he."

"That's ridiculous," I said, "Hitler was the most evil of men. He would never be admitted to heaven."

"That's true, said Hitler, "when I arrive I was placed in the lineup to Hell." A group of people gathered around, interested in the conversation. They looked a bit silly, circling around us, all shuffling slowly forward, some shuffling backwards, and some sideways, all most interested.

"Fortunately," he continued, "the decision to send you to Hell can be appealed. So I appealed." That brought a few laughs from the crowd.

"On what grounds could you possibly appeal on?" I demanded.

"Well," replied Hitler, "I claim I am not responsible for my actions."

"Insanity? Insanity? You have the nerve to claim insanity?" I cried.

"Oh no," said Hitler. "I was and am quite sane. I acted insane on a few occasions but that was for show. My claim is that I was given a defective brain. Who or whatever gave me such a defective brain is responsible for my actions. In my opinion they have a lot to answer for."

"But this is fifty years later. Surely Heaven does not work that slowly." I said.

"Well, yes and no." replied Hitler. "For the appeal I was entitled to legal council. Lawyers are a strange lot. When no money is involved, they are very moralistic. No one would assist or defend me. So I have spent the last fifty years looking for a lawyer, appealing my case or waiting in line for a hearing in the next higher court.

"There are many levels of appeal. At each level I presented my case. Not having legal representation, they gave me great leeway. Each court could not make a decision so they passed me up to the next level of appeal.

"Finally I exhausted all levels of appeal. They decided I should meet with the Big Guy for him to decide." Big Guy? I thought; What a flippant attitude to take, considering where we are.

"Don't look so smug yourselves. Others can appeal your entrance to heaven. For the dead, they appeal in person and for the living, their sole can appeal, claimed Hitler. Now that caused a lot of concern within the crowd, I included . . .

Just then, a cloud, a mist, a form appeared amongst us. We were in it and yet we were not. The mist, or whatever it was, gave me a subtle warm feeling of safety, joy, and so many other nice feelings.

"Big Guy?" the form spoke, "You called me Big Guy? Well I am here. State your case and it had better be good."

Hitler paled. For him, this was for all the marbles. Heaven or Hell. No further appeals, no further delays. Slowly Hitler gathered up his courage and spoke. I must admit he put on a good defense. Calm, logical, detailed, while not denying his actions or the evil he caused.

"That's it? A defective brain?" roared God, "That's it? You mean to tell me you have bluffed your way to this level with that argument? I can see a lot of early retirements are in order in the Appeals division. You should have never made it past the first level of appeals, lawyer or no lawyer."

God then spoke to us: "Surely any of you can see the flaw in his argument. You have twenty minutes to detect it. When you explain it to him, and he is off to Hell. Don't fail yourselves and do it quickly." With that, the form disappeared after giving us a personal welcome to heaven.

Except for Hitler. . . Hitler quietly accepted the inevitable and walked away without saying goodbye or waiting for our answer.

And I ask you: What was the flaw in Hitler's defense? If you want my answer, sign in on my guest page at www.smartjobhunting.com

James Roe2006