Large golden gates are present; two cloaked figures are waving goodbye to others as they go further into the clouds on the other side. One cloaked figure turns around and gets ready to keep moving on; the other figure cannot leave the gate.

 

Carl (turns back around): Hey, Dolores, I know you’re new to this job, but we can’t take a break.

 

Carl can’t make eye contact with Dolores, who starts to hold onto the golden gates and refuses to meet his gaze.

 

Carl (persistent): Come on, we have to keep going; there’s more people that we have to visit.

 

Dolores (voice cracks): Visit? Is that we call it in our line of work?

 

Carl (confused): I mean, you know that not a lot of angels choose this route, most prefer being guardian angels or cherubs for love.

 

Dolores (begins to weep): I know, but I never thought that it would be this difficult. How can you be so cold?! Don’t you feel bad for all these people who have died or been murdered by these I.C.E. monsters feigning humanity? Not to mention the innocent lives taken recently because of wars or protesting for their God-given liberties!!

 

Carl (stoically): I understand that you’re new to this, but we have to keep –

 

Dolores (interrupts angrily): They just shot two more people; they’ve been doing that first to people just because of the color of their skin, and now they celebrate murdering people!!!

 

Carl: You’ll understand once we get back down to Earth; hurry we –

 

Dolores finally turns to face Carl and grabs his cloak in fistfuls. Carl still doesn’t show his face.

 

Dolores (sobbing): Don’t you get it?!

 

Carl (calmly): If you just return to work –

 

Dolores (screaming and sobbing): To see more innocent people dying from Trump’s evil tiny paws?!

 

Carl (stoically): We just have to keep doing our job and –

 

Dolores (crying): Fuuuuuck!!! Is that it?!!?

 

Carl: I understand your pain and frustration.

 

Dolores wipes her tears and finally meets Carl’s gaze; she stares bashfully.

 

Dolores (sadly): Great, I cursed! Guess I’m banned from being an angel now.

 

She looks up to Heaven dejectedly and begins to walk away from Carl. Carl gently grabs the sleeve of her cloak, and she turns to face him.

 

Carl (revealing his disheartened look): Please, don’t go. God won’t punish you for cursing.

 

Dolores (gasping and sobbing): But, I –

 

Carl (sweetly): You’re not the first Angel of Death to cry, curse, or be outraged by the actions of a monster posing in human flesh.

 

Dolores (finding her breath): But, you seem so relaxed.

 

Carl: No, I just have millennia of experiences in my belt to reference, and some day, unfortunately, you will, too.

 

Dolores: I don’t know if I’m strong enough anymore.

 

Carl: Your wings.

 

Dolores: Yes, they’ve started to differ from other angels’. Is it because I’ve fallen from grace?!

 

Carl: No, initially everyone has white wings, but whenever they see a crime committed or a tragedy, their wings may start to turn grey.

 

Dolores: I’ve heard that Justicia has beautiful wings that are mostly grey.

 

Carl: Yes, she is a strong and amazing angel, but others didn’t always see her wings as beautiful but rather as a marker of difference and a notion spread that she wasn’t doing her job well.

 

Dolores (loudly): But, her wings are beautiful!!

 

Carl (chuckles): Exactly, and so, you should also see your wings the same way.

 

Dolores (blushes): I wonder if I’ll ever be able to meet her; I want to ask her, no, actually, I just want to gain some of her wisdom.

 

Carl (smiles): And someday you will, actually, a couple of my cousin’s new friends were coming over, but I alerted them about your heartbreak, and they want you to meet another angel who can help you dealing with this newfound sadness.

 

Dolores: So, you won’t be neutral in this awful time anymore?

 

Carl (smiles sadly): Trust me, I’ve never been neutral. Hurry, fairies are quick to spread the word, and my cousin is a stickler for time.

 

Dolores smiles for the first time, and Carl finds himself smiling as happily.

 

Dolores: You know, I haven’t seen your wings; now that I think about it.

 

Carl (blushing): It’s not that I’m ashamed of them, but it’s just –

 

Dolores (smiling): No matter what, I’m sure you should be proud of them and how strong you truly are.

 

Carl’s raven arrives and brings three little fairies and Father Time with them. The fairies meet and greet Dolores, who is quickly whisked away to meet Esperanza, the Angel of Hope.

 

Henry Time: Hey cousin, woah, it’s been centuries since I’ve seen you smile.

 

Carl (pretending to pout): Whatever, Henry.

 

Carl relaxes, greets his companion raven, and stretches out his jet black wings.

 

Henry Time: Woah, and it’s been a millennium since I’ve seen your wings!

 

Carl (sighs): Maybe, I should keep hiding them.

 

Henry Time (shaking his head): Every feather represents a heartbreak, but each good person is now in the hands of God, plus it would be worse to forget someone.

 

Carl (slowly smiles once more): You’re right; most people were too amazing to just fade.

 

BLACKOUT.