[ WP ] Its your last day of servitude to a man who offered you eternal life , for a thousand years of service .

`` Do you know what time it is?'' 
 
 `` 11:43 AM, sir. That leaves plenty of time to make it to your twelve'o clock appointment.'' 
 
 `` That's not what concerns me.'' 
 
 `` I'm not sure that I follow, sir.'' 
 
 `` As of now, you've been in my service for 999 years, 23 hours and 54 minutes.'' 
 
 `` Has it really been that long?'' 
 
 `` Yes Bob, it has. I'm really not looking forward to finding a replacement for you.'' 
 
 `` Wait, you're firing me?'' 
 
 `` Did you forget our deal?'' 
 
 `` No, not at all. It's just... What am I going to do with myself?'' 
 
 `` You'll be immortal. Do whatever you want.'' 
 
 `` About that; by immortal, does that mean I wo n't die from old age, or does that mean I ca n't die period.'' 
 
 `` I'm not really sure. I guess you'll continue in your current state indefinitely.'' 
 
 `` Wait. You do n't know how this works?'' 
 
 `` Nobody's ever lasted this long.'' 
 
 `` What do you mean?'' 
 
 `` Well, the closest I got was 724 years, 8 hours, 37 minutes and 44 seconds.'' 
 
 `` What happened?'' 
 
 `` He quit'' 
 
 `` And?'' 
 
 `` Ever watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?'' 
 
 `` Yikes'' 
 
 `` Yeah. Took weeks to get him out of the carpet.'' 
 
 `` Well, what are your plans?'' 
 
 `` I have to find your replacement immediately.'' 
 
 `` What's so urgent? You ca n't manage a day or so without help? Did you forget how to tie your shoes in the past thousand years?'' 
 
 `` No. I'm just as reliant on you as you are on me. You think I did this out if charity? Without a servant, I die. It's symbiotic or some nonsense. I do n't know, some wizard cast a spell on me shortly after the pyramids were completed and gave me some guidelines. You expect me to remember everything? The important thing is that I ca n't go more than 15 minutes without a signatory. That makes it difficult at times. I've hired vagrants on the spot only to release them when an ideal candidate becomes apparent'' 
 
 `` I imagine you had plenty of time to plan this time around'' 
 
 `` Well, I already have your replacement lined up. He comes highly recommended and we've already agreed to terms. We are simply finalizing the contract.'' 
 
 `` Is that your twelve appointment?'' 
 
 `` Yes. We're cutting it a bit close, to be honest. It seems your time is nearly up.'' 
 
 `` Yes, it does appear that way. How do we do this?'' 
 
 `` I told you nobody had gotten this far.'' 
 
 `` I do feel a tingly sensation. Maybe that's it? 
 
 `` Perhaps.'' 
 
 `` Well then, I guess this is goodbye.' 
 
 `` Indeed. Could you do me one last favor, as a friend?'' 
 
 `` Certainly.'' 
 
 `` If you see my noon appointment as you leave, could you send him in? I'm getting a bit anxious about the timing.'' 
 
 `` As you wish'' 
 
 **He leaves and closes the door behind him. At the far end of the hall, a sharply dressed man stands awkwardly. ** 
 
 
 `` Are you here for a twelve'o clock appointment?'' 
 
 
 `` Yes sir.'' 
 
 
 `` Are you aware of what's at stake?'' 
 
 
 `` I was promised eternal life in exchange for 1000 years of servitude. That obviously sounds like a fairy tale, but the pay is good.'' 
 
 
 `` Pay?'' 
 
 
 `` I thought that I could bear the ramblings of an eccentric billionaire in exchange for $ 250,000 a year.'' 
 
 
 **The now immortal, former servant eyes his replacement intently. ** 
 
 
 `` He promised you pay?'' 
 
 
 `` Of course. Why else take a job?'' 
 
 
 `` Did he tell you why he is in need of a new servant?'' 
 
 
 `` No.'' 
 
 
 `` I see. Let's just say that I had been in his employ for a very long time before the checks started bouncing.'' 
 
 
 `` That's unfortunate.'' 
 
 
 `` Quite.'' 
 
 
 `` Crazy and broke?'' 
 
 
 `` Afraid so.'' 
 
 
 **The sharply dressed man looked at his watch** 
 
 
 `` I forgot to pay the meter. If I get another ticket, I'll be towed.'' 
 
 
 **The sharply dressed man quickly exited the hallway into the foyer. An elevator quickly retrieved him. The former servant followed shortly after, leaving the building just in time to see a puff of dust escape from an upper window and be dispersed by the wind. ** 
 
 
 This is the very first short story I've written in over 15 years. I know it's terrible, but I liked the premise enough to stop lurking and submit. 
 
 
 Enjoy.
