h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sapphire eyes, ancient eyes, smiled out from a seemingly too-young face, as she accepted the proffered drink and the clumsy compliment.

'Honey’, a nice word, a sweet word, she approved and rewarded him with another dazzling smile.

Of course, she'd been called far worse, and far, far better things, the list was as long as her existence.

She felt the warmth of the sun on her skin, clashing with the deliciously ice-cold liquid on her lips, marvelling at the way this body enjoyed the thrill of the opposite.

Summed the entire species up. The search for pleasure and the need for pain, just to justify their brief happiness.

Such strange creatures, some willing to spend lifetimes of abstinence and regret in the hope of something wonderful in the After.

Others lived solely in the Now, soaking up the delights on offer, but with the threat and worry of an eternity of punishment to pay.

One looking forward to a final reckoning, the other dreading the price of life's final bill.

The one who had called her honey - bought her an extravagant beverage, hoping to buy her favour with his charm and money - was one of the later.

She swirled the ice cubes around her empty glass, enjoying the sound, sunlight dazzling on the beauty it was destroying.

The man took her amusement for an invitation to flirt, he had no idea that his personal debt was due very, very shortly.

She'd give him until the ice melted.

She's probably not Circe, who seems to have had dark green eyes. Sapphire is usually blue. Not that sapphire can't be green...

In any event, if she *were* Circe, the guy would soon be tuened nto a pig.

But carry on anyway. I'm enjoying it so far.

Twas a dream I had last night mate, the reaper was a very sexy lady at a garden party..

Ah. The penny drops.

That is a masterful short story