Frank Morgan

Here’s a sketch of a movie idea about an excellent scientist and citizen, which I had had for some time, but which took further form during a cathedral mass in Granada in 1999. (There is also my “A Mathematician at Heaven’s Gate.”)

On the very day our scientist, Prof. Blake, retires he dies, and to his pleasant surprise finds himself at the Pearly Gates.

“It’s incredible, religion was right about this.”

“Are you concerned at all?”

“No, I’ve led a good life, and I’m sure this God must be good and appreciative.”

“What good have you done?”

“I’ve led the advancements in my field and been an upstanding member of the community.”

“What is good about such work?”

“Well, the purpose of humanity is to understand the universe, and I’ve contributed to that.”

“Do you think you did it because it was important, or because it appealed to you?”

“No, it is important.”

“Yes, though some folks find it easy to rationalize whatever they want to do. Why do you think you’ve been so successful.”

“Well, I’ve worked hard I guess, made myself organized and persistent and energetic.”

“And what do you think we should do with others who have been less successful, less organized and energetic?”

“Well, I guess you can’t just pretend it doesn’t matter. Maybe you could let them try again, with a fresh start.”

“Actually, we were wondering whether you might go back and finish up their work for them.”

“The work they’ve left undone? But it’s so disorganized and hopeless; it would be so frustrating; it would take forever. I’m not disorganized like that. I don’t see how you could think of asking me to do that. No one could do something like that.”

“No, it does seem unfair. But He did it,” nodding to the cross above.

A chilling realization comes over our scientist. “My God, I devoted my life to understanding the universe, and I didn’t understand a thing. You have to let me do it over, please.”

“But you’d remember all this.”

“No, surely you could make me forget somehow.”

“Yes, we could, but then you’d just do the same things all over again.”

“No, I’m changed; I can feel it inside. Please give me another chance. I would be different.”

“You are very persuasive, and actually convinced us, once. This was your second time. Don’t you remember.” (His memory is restored.)

“Oh my God, I did everything exactly the same again!” He leaves silently for hell.

Hell it turns out is quite a splendid place. For example, you can eat whatever you like without any exercise and still keep a good appetite and a trim, muscular body. One fellow spends the day in bed eating creampuffs. Another fellow spends the day in a basement room counting his money. There’s lots of TV, nothing new, but lots of old programs. There’s also lots of smoking and drinking, complaining, arguing, and especially, ridicule.

It’s always quite hot and dusty outside, so folks stay indoors, with lots of air-conditioning. The lighting is rather garish.

Eventually Blake prays humbly for forgiveness and finds himself transported to heaven. Heaven, it turns out, is a rather modest place, with only the simplest necessities provided. The inhabitants, however, share a deep appreciation of the forgiveness they receive from each other and from Him. Each acts with touching tenderness and kindness, a type of ultimate intelligence.

Folks spend a lot of time outdoors. Summers are warm with gentle breezes. Winters are snowy, and you need skis to get around and fires indoors. There is lots of activity in the arts and sciences, always unhurried, with equal appreciation of others’ work as of one’s own.

(The figures at the “Pearly Gates,” it turns out, were not His agents at all, but agents of the Worldly One.)

Luke 16:24-31

    24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

    25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil  things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

    26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

    27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

    28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

    29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

    30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

    31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.