Thousands of years before, Albert had opted to serve Death rather than die. He wasn't exactly immortal. Real time was forbidden in Death's realm. There was only the ever-changing now, but it went on for a very long time. He had less than two months of real time left; he hoarded his days like bars of gold.

"I, er... " he began. "That is -"

YOU FEAR TO DIE?

"It's not that I don't want... I mean, I've always... it's just that life is a habit that's hard to break..."

Death watched him curiously, as one might watch a beetle that had landed on its back and couldn't turn over.

Finally Albert lapsed into silence.

I UNDERSTAND, said Death, unhooking Binky's bridle.

"But you don't seem worried! You're really going to die?"

YES. IT WILL BE A GREAT ADVENTURE.

"It will? You're not afraid?"

I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO BE AFRAID.

"I could show you, if you like," Albert ventured.

NO. I SHOULD LIKE TO LEARN BY MYSELF. I SHALL HAVE

EXPERIENCES. AT LAST.

"Master... if you go, will there be -?"

A NEW DEATH WILL ARISE FROM THE MINDS OF THE LIVING, ALBERT.

"Oh. " Albert looked relieved. "You don't happen to know what he'll be like, do you?"

NO.

"Perhaps I'd better, you know, clean the place up a bit, get an inventory prepared, that sort of thing?"

GOOD IDEA, said Death, as kindly as possible. WHEN I SEE THE NEW DEATH, I SHALL HEARTILY RECOMMEND YOU.

"Oh. You'll see him, then?"

OH. YES. AND I MUST LEAVE NOW.

"What. so soon?"

CERTAINLY. MUSTN'T WASTE TIME!

Death adjusted the saddle, and then turned and held the tiny hour-glass proudly in front of Albert's hooked nose.

SEE! I HAVE TIME. AT LAST, I HAVE TIME

Albert backed away nervously.

"And now that you have it, what are you going to do with it?" he said.