Closed for Repairs

The Gardens of Purgatory

The young lady of refined sensibilities was enjoying her stroll through purgatory one morning when she came across a sign planted firmly in the rose beds.

“Public service announcement," announced the sign in carefully crafted letters. "Purgatory will be closed for repairs, Someday, Monday, and Tuesday.”

She looked at the sign with some puzzlement because it wasn't there the day before. Then she saw Mr. Devil standing off to one side, cleaning off his paint brushes. Perhaps he had something to do with the sign.

She approached him – cautiously, because she was aware of what she was dealing with by now – and said good morning.

"You wouldn't," she began, ”Happen to know what this is about? Seeing as you appear to be in charge of putting up the sign, that is.“

The Devil smiled broadly, as is his wont. An extraordinarily handsome man, he was beguiling in the extreme, and she immediately trusted him, even though she knew she shouldn't.

"As it happens, I do know. We are closing for repairs. On orders from the highest authority, of course.”

“I don't understand,” replied the young lady. "Wherever will we all go if the place is closed? Isn't Purgatory the only way station between earth, hell, and heaven?”

“Well of course,”agreed the devil. “But even purgatory needs maintenance from time to time, you know, and the place has been falling apart lately.”