Morgue story: Roger always liked things that could be considered… uncommon. He is very interested in the concept of Life and Death. And how biological organisms work. Since a child, he liked to dissect small animals, because he was curious in knowing more about their bodies’ functions. Roger sees Life itself as science. And its different forms as machines. Some more complex than others, and like all man-made technology, they will all come to an end, sooner or later.
And so, as a teenager, he wanted to become a medical doctor. Unfortunately, his grades weren’t enough for him to be able to get into an University.
Roger had to found another field of activity, related to his preferences. After finishing High School, he attended a 4 year degree course, in which he studied Mortuary Science. This gave him the required qualifications to work as a Mortuary Assistant, in a Hospital morgue.
This made Roger very happy. And he is discussing that with his best friend, Nick.
– It’s absolutely fascinating. I’m glad I can speak to you about it. We know each other for years, and you will not think that I’m some kind of creep. I mean, someone has to do these morgue jobs, right? Autopsies, funerals, taking care of the corpses, while they are not ready to be buried, or cremated. All of these activities, are very useful, and a manifestation of Modern Civilization itself. – Roger says.
– Yes… Roger, you are a great guy, and I’m glad you found a job that suits your… morbid passion. I’m also glad we are having a few beers, instead of sharing a meal… Well, it is a cool job. I will give you that. So… when you are working on the night shift, did you get scared already? – Nick asks.
– Why would I be scared? They bodies are very dead… Both during night and during day! – Roger answers, laughing.
– I don’t know… Strange things happen. And sometimes the bodies aren’t as dead as they seem. Historically, such cases were verified. Some people were buried alive throughout the centuries. – Nick states.
– That is true, but, these days, trust me, Nick… The medical staff confirms that no corpse is coming back to life. Anyway, precisely tomorrow night, I am doing the night shift. Do you want to come with me, so I can show you around? And you can keep me some company, while I work on some inventories. What do you say? Unless you are afraid… – Roger says, defying his friend.
– Very funny… And it sounds like a good idea. I would like to know how and where you work. As I said, it is an interesting job.
– Great! I will meet you at your place at 7 p.m. I suggest you have an early dinner. But we do have a cafeteria, you know. Where we can eat. We can buy sandwiches, during those hours. No hot meals, though. – Roger replies.
– Ok! Sandwiches sounds good. I can’t wait.
It was decided.
The day after, without further delays, Roger was driving to the Hospital, with his friend Nick sitting next to him.
Once there, Roger finally showed Nick the Morgue itself. It was indeed a sinister, silent, yet very clean place.
Roger showed some dead bodies, pulling them out from their freezers. And he explained those who were waiting for their autopsies, or to be harvested for organs, etc. Nick was indeed impressed. Specially with the bodies of younger people. Who died because of accidents, or were victims of murder.
– Man… I’ll tell you no lies. This is morbid… And creepy… I admit it. I respect what you do, and I’m glad I came, because it was a different experience, but I don’t think I’m coming back again… Ever! – Nick said.
– Hey… I understand. To each his own… – Roger replied, with a smile.
After a couple of hours of keeping company to Roger, as he was in the computer section (a lot more festive than the previous one…) writing something, Nick decided he wanted to go home.
– Don’t worry, Roger. I will call a cab. I know you can’t leave before your shift is over. Well, I believe tomorrow I will think of this evening as something fun. And the hospital sandwiches are pretty good, actually! – Nick said to his friend,
They departed from each other, and Nick was about to call a cab, when he realized something.
– Oh no… I left the keys to my house in the Hospital… I hope I didn’t drop them inside the Morgue… Great! – Nick said to himself, as he returned to the computer room where Roger was working.
But Roger wasn’t there. Perhaps he had to go back to Mortuary Room, Nick thought, as he decided to follow his friend there into the morgue.
And indeed, he saw the lights on, and he could hear there was someone there.
Someone who was… speaking. Roger was probably speaking on the phone.
But when Nick entered the Mortuary Room, he couldn’t believe what he saw…
Roger was kissing one of the corpses… The body of a young woman…
– Roger… What the… hell… are you doing, man…? – Nick mumbled, horrified.
Even more horrified was the expression on Roger’s face when he saw Nick.
– Nick!! You came back!! Uh… wait! This is… just a joke! To scare you!! – Roger shouted, trying to lie, as Nick was now, slowly, walking away from his friend.
In panic, Roger picked up a cutting medical tool, and he ran towards his friend. Roger’s eyes had pure hysterical madness inside them.
– No one can know about this… No one!! I’d rather go to jail!! – Roger screamed as he was now stabbing his best friend in the throat.
Nick choked to death in his blood. The young man didn’t even have time to process what had just happened, throughout the few minutes that went by, since he realized Roger wasn’t in the computer room, until his morbid and sick friend murdered him…
Of course, Roger was caught, arrested and convicted for killing his friend. But Roger’s forbidden dead fantasies were kept a secret from everyone else. Or at least, from everyone else from the world of the living…