DeathWhat are you doin'?
Death
You do that too much, you know what you get? …Fat pigeons.… That's from Mary Poppins. Did you ever see it?
Death
Okay, so what's the matter?
Death
I can tell something's wrong. I mean, look at you. Sittin' here, moping, pigeon-feeding. It's not like you.
No. Perhaps it isn't. I don't know what's wrong, but … You're right. Something is the matter. When they captured me, I just had one thought. Vengeance.
It wasn't as satisfying as I'd expected. Meanwhile, my kingdom had fallen apart. My tools long since stolen and scattered. And so I embarked upon a journey to find them. Which I did.
I'm now more powerful than I have been in eons. And yet …
Death
Here you are, feeding the pigeons.
You see, until then, I'd had a true quest. A purpose beyond my function and then suddenly, it was over, and … I felt disappointed. Let down. Empty. Does that make sense?
I was so sure that once I got everything back, I'd feel good. But in some ways I feel worse than when I started.
I feel like … Nothing.
There.
You asked.
Death
You could have called me, you know.
I didn't want to worry you.
Death
Oh, I don't believe it.
Let me tell you something, Dream. And I'm only gonna say this once, so you better pay attention.
You are utterly the stupidest, most self-centered, pathetic excuse for an anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane.
Feeling sorry for yourself because your little game is over and you haven't got the balls to go out and find a new one. You're as bad as Desire.
No, worse. Did it never occur to you that I would be worried about you?
Death
Exactly. You didn't think.
FFranklin
Heads up! [Death catches a soccer ball before it hits her, as Dream had just done a short time before] Wow! You're as good as your … friend there.
Death
He's not my friend. He's my brother. And he's an idiot.
I'm just feeding the birds.
Death
Look, I can't stay here all day. I've got work to do. You can come with me if you want, or you can stay here and sulk.
I'll come with you, I suppose.
Death
Well, don't do me any favors.
FFranklin
Sorry, before you go, umm… could I maybe see you again?
Death
Sure, Franklin. You'll see me again.
FFranklin
[surprised] Seriously?
Death
Soon.
FFranklin
Okay, cool! Yeah, let me just get your number and … [turns back toward them] Wait, how did you know my … [sees that they are gone]
Death
Can you hear it? [violin playing]
I know this piece. I haven't heard it in 200 years.
Death
Come on. [entering Harry's apartment as he stops playing the violin and coughs] No. Don't stop, please.
HHarry
Uh, sorry for the noise.
Death
It's not noise. It's Schubert. Keep going.
HHarry
I can't. He never finished it. All we have is a fragment. … Oh, forgive me, I … I am Harry.
Death
I know who you are, Harry. [walks to him] Do you know who I am?
HHarry
[gazes into her face] No. Not yet. Please.
Death
It's time.
HHarry
Can I just … There's something I have to say. If that's all right.
Death
Of course.
HHarry
Sh'ma Yisra'el, YHWH 'eloheinu, YHWH 'eḥad: Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is One.
I'm glad I said the Shema. My old man always said it would guarantee you a place in Heaven. If you believe in Heaven. Hmm? [sees his body] I look so old. So empty. … So, I'm dead. Now what?
Death
Now's when you find out, Harry.
Death
Do what?
This. Be there, for all of them.
Death
I have a job to do. And I do it.
When the first living thing existed, I was there.
When the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave.
And I'm not there for all of them. There are exceptions. Mad Hettie. And then there's your ongoing project. How's he bearing up after all this time?
Death
[nods] Hmm.
I don't know. I was forced to miss our last appointment.
Death
Well, I'm sure he'd love to see you. They're never too keen to see me, though.
Death
I actually used to think I had the hardest job in all our family.
Death
They fear the Sunless Lands, yet they enter your realm every night without fear.
And yet I am far more terrible than you.
Death
It was fine in the beginning. Dying and living were new things and people did them with the enthusiasm they always bring to new things. And then after a bit, it just got harder.
Death
I thought about giving up. Walking out. This was a long time ago, long before this world. It really started to get to me. I got kind of hard and brittle inside. I mean, people feel as pleased to have been born as if they did it themselves. But they get upset and hurt and shaken when they die. But eventually, I learned that all they really need is a kind word and a friendly face. Like they had in the beginning.
I find myself wondering about humanity. Their attitude towards your gift is so strange. Why do they fear the Sunless Lands? It is as natural to die as it is to be born.
Death
People may not be ready for my gift. But they get it anyway. No matter what the circumstance. At the end, each of us stands alone. The Sunless Lands are far away and the journey is hard. Most of us will be glad for the company of a friend.
It's funny looking back now. I used to think I had to do this all by myself.
Death
No. At the end, I'm there with them. I'm holding their hand and they're holding mine. I'm not alone when I'm doing my job. And neither are you. Think about it. The only reason we even exist, you and I, and Desire and Despair, the whole family. We're here to serve them.
It isn't about quests or finding purpose outside our function. Our purpose is our function. We're here for them. Since I figured that out, I realized I need them as much as they need me. I've seen so many cool things and people and worlds. I've learned so much. Lots of people don't have a job they love doing, do they? So, I think I'm really very lucky.
Listen, I've got to head back soon.
You've taught me something I had forgotten. I thank you, my sister.
Death
Aw. That's what family's about, little brother. … One last appointment, then I have to go.
I, too, am late for an appointment.
Death
Tell him I said hello.
SPSoccer player
Franklin!
Death
I have to go.
FFranklin
Hey. Did you see that? That car came this close to hitting me.
Death
This close, huh?
Death
Come with me, Franklin. I need to show you something. [takes his arm]
Death
See ya, Dream. Don't be a stranger, okay?
Look, I've seen death. I lost half my village to the Black Death. I fought under Buckingham in Burgundy. It's not like I don't know what death is. Death is … stupid.
BBarmate
You're a fool, Hob.
Nobody has to die. The only reason people die is … is 'cause everyone does it. You all just go along with it. But not me. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to die.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] Hobs, death comes for every man.
You don't know that. I might get lucky. There's always a first time. There's so much to do, so many things to see. Women to swive. Ale to drink. People to drink with.
Why would any sensible creature crave an eternity of this?
Death
You could find out.
Death
I could grant him his wish.
Do that, and he will be begging for death within a century, I assure you.
Death
This will prove very interesting.
BBarmate
What will you do with all that life?
I'll find better friends than you, I can tell you that.
Death
Are you gonna tell him, or should I?
Death
Very well, little brother. Very well.
Did I hear you say you have no intention of ever dying?
Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.
Then you must tell me what it's like. Let us meet here again, Robert Gadling, in this tavern of the White Horse in 100 years.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] A hundred years and I'm Pope Urban.
Don't mind them. A hundred years' time, on this day? [Dream nods] I will see you in the year of our Lord 1489, then. [Dream leaves].
BBarmate
Who was that, then, Hobsie?
Haven't a clue. But tell you what, I'll ask him in 100 years' time.
[100 years later, 1489 in The White Horse Tavern]
[sitting across from him] How did you know … that I'd still be here? Who are you? A wizard? A … saint? … A demon? [fearfully] Have I made a bargain with the devil?
[puzzled] Then why aren't I dead long since? Is this some kind of game?
But why? Who are you? Why are you here?
I'm here because I'm interested.
Nothing. You live your life as you choose. Then on this day, every 100 years, we will meet.
The Sandman · 41 quotes
