PLUTO

THE FERRYMAN :

Come with me.

(They descend into The Underworld)

PLUTO :

Excuse me.

Thank you very much for coming.

It makes me happy that you ... Goodness gracious.

RAPHAEL :

A problem?

PLUTO :

Forgive me.

Sit down.

Can I ask your name?

RAPHAEL :

Raphael.

PLUTO :

Raphael.

A beautiful name.

It is unfortunate that we have to meet, us, under conditions all so dismal.

What we do here — It's a show, immune to the spotlight.

Can I offer you refreshment?

Take a drink.

Tell me —

You're afraid to die?

RAPHAEL :

Are you?

PLUTO :

No.

No, no I do not have fear of dying.

Today I consider that death is.... an absolute necessity....

metamorphosis

It may be that - Death is painful

Death is something something subtle.

If we suffer at birth, the day we came into The World, then it is normal to suffer in The End - 

It's like a transfiguration....as if we solve an equation.

Have you ever seen a woman give birth?

The face is deformed.

Full of sweat and anguish.

But strangely, punctuated by joy.

You see, somewhere Raphael

I feel an affinity, a communion of our spirits.

To see with his eyes a horrible death can be a great source of inspiration for those who remain.

Thus they see how we can be tough once the time comes.

To resist death, is absolute courage.

It is a delicious torment.

And — Forgive me.

But the more one sees Death appear finally before us the more we must -

welcome him wholeheartedly.

It seems today that the closer you get of death in our lifetime plus the passage into nothingness are effortless.

And in our  parting,  the most beautiful gifts we can offer to our loved-ones is the courage to face death.

And this is the finest and largest contribution that a man can make to another man.

RAPHAEL :

Whatever ....

How much will you pay me for that?

PLUTO :

Well, if you want to be realistic, the amount will depend on Your courage and your good will.

Plus how you’re able to hold, mentally and physically

But the sum will be important.

Yes, I know, it's always..... how to say offensive, injurious to give value to life.

But we must render unto Caesar what is Caesar's

And unto God what is God's.

So - I say $ 50,000

I give you one third immediately.

RAPHAEL :

What if I split!?

PLUTO :

You know, I spent a good half of my life to develop an instinct -

An instinct about people.

With a man of your caliber,

Your culture,

Your honesty —

No, I do not think that you would do that.

Get it now

And respect your commitment

RAPHAEL :

Yes.

When should I return?

PLUTO :

Say in a week.

Yes, one week.

Goodbye my friend.