Once. Upon

It’s Time.

 

The Hotel Elevator clanging, clattering shut behind

Him. Joe turned, grinning,

watching it go. Nostalgia and sentiment may decree

otherwise, yet. He knew,

 

that much of the Old. City

really should be replaced. Renovated at least.

 

Stopping in front of a. Door that matched His Call-out.

Hopefully,..

His last for the Night.

A quick check of His. Military styled Watch confirmed

the timing. Knocking

3 Times quite hard. Then almost shouting

 

“...Your Taxi’s Here… “.

 

Hearing the affirmation He. Turned, heading back, noticing

ahead in. The Corridor

several. Figures just emerging from the Room. Next

along the way.

 

Room 1212.

 

 

“…Can you take this Bag please.?. ”

The voice of previous affirmation, Female.

Matter of factly, though tinged with perhaps suppressed

emotion. Behind Him.

 

Turning, stepping back and taking. Hold

of a plain, sturdy Case.

“…No probs, i got it... ”

Looking directly at the Voice. Owner then and

smiling as He saw. Her

rather obvious state. She smiled back,

a little hesitant. Like Her walk.

 

Joe slowed His regular. Pace to match, as They

approached. The Elevator where

already stood. The small group seen earlier. 3

Men it seemed. Heading down.

Like Them.

 

The Elevator arrived, seemingly louder than before.

Whines, squeals and groans.

 

An Old City in deed, Joe mused again.

 

 

 

(Music Link)

 

As the Doors opened the 3 Men stepped. Back,

almost lining up behind them.

Joe smiled. Knowing too their innate respect, with

understanding.

 

Joe and Passenger entered first. The 3 trailing behind,

then moving.

Into the opposite corner.

Once in and settled, Joe poked the Ground Floor.

Icon.

Doors slid shut, noisily steeled.

With a hiccup and jolt they began to move. Down.

 

As they passed the next floor. A whine and thump from.

Below was heard.

A twang from above resounded, just after.

The Elevator stopped. Swaying a bit, then settling. Still.

 

Joe bit his lip as He started too. To press a few buttons

on the console.

Nothing.

No lights, no reactions, no Power it seemed.

 

Stopped still.

 

“…It’s Time…”

Joe’s Mind reeled. No, this cannot be. Not Here. Not

Now.?.

He looked around, as frantic His intruding thoughts.

The 3 Men, Elders, simply smiled. Earnestly. Vacantly. Back.

 

Turning to the where that Voice so arose. She was

nodding.

“… It’s Time... Now…”

Breathing faster, shallow. Insistent.

She blushed a little. Almost skipping, stuttering over

the Words.

 

She knew well their effect.

 

 

“… It’s Time…”

 

All Eyes were upon Her. Effectively

4 Sets. Male.

All synced and focused on that. Peculiar stillness

that had so been. Now.

Brought to a head with just those. Two Words.

 

Joe automatically rolled up His. Sleeves locking Eyes

with His Passenger.

“…You Sure.?.” though He already knew. Her breathing

and stance.

 

She nodded not trusting Herself to speak.

“…I’m Joe...”

“… Mary,.. Hi… Joe…” She so replied. In ‘tween the Breaths.

 

” Hello Mary… O.k. You’re… no… We,..

…are in Luck… Not only am i Your Driver…” As He chatted,

with deft and sure

movements. He settled Her into The Position. The 3 Men

too busied themselves.

 

One went to the Elevator. Phone console putting on

His glasses as he looked. At

the faded Instructions. The Other Two removed Jackets,

 

smoothly, efficiently

folding. Both into a Log Pillow, for Mary’s Back. As support.

 

 

“… I drive a Taxi now… I was in the Army not so long ago.

A Medic in Training. I know the Procedure… though I have only assisted…

 

Thus far…” smiling confidently. He hoped.

 

Mary, slightly bent over, looked up. Still

and so breathless.

“... That’s O.K. Joe… Am a Single New Mum-to-be…

My First as well…” then adding,..

 

…thus far…” whilst taking His hand, She squeezed trust

through Her fingers

whilst Her Body fretted in pain.

Joe squeezed back…” O.K. Mary… Let’s do this.

It’s Time…”

 

again smiling, now easily and honestly. She had Spirit

this One. Humor too.

 

His Training came back. Ordered. Controlled.

He turned to the Men, surprisingly calm and ordered

themselves.

Simply waiting it seemed.

 

“…Ok Guys empty Your pockets…

…Let’s see what We can use…”

 

As They reached in and around for their contents. Joe

opened the Case,

laying the Lid flat. To also use as a Board for His Equip.

 

 

“… Why did You join the Army Joe.?.” Mary asked,

trying to distract. Herself

from the pulses Her Body was letting out. Like waves

She thought.

 

“…oh… well… i was given a Suggestion,..

told to see the World… by a Judge…

 

...He disagreed with the Way i worked with Wood… I…

 

…i was one…

…of the early Tree-huggers and that got me into some strife,..

 

…so to get out of that... i went in. The Army instead…”

 

“… Did it keep You out of strife.?. She thoughtfully posed.

“… Mostly…

in Time…” Joe replied with that cheeky grin.

They both laughed at each others. Discomfort and their

own. Together.

 

Joe took and arranged several Items.

Water, Scissors, Gel Soap, Mouth-wash, small Cloths,

Wipes.

He didn’t need much if all went well.

 

‘Twas Nature and Mary. Did the main and hard work.

He read out the Labels, accentuating,

so highlighting the Names. There

Mary laughingly insisted too. On a taste of that

Mount Myrrha Mouthwash…

 

“… Sounds Yum…

To refresh Myself,..

…at least partly anyway… o.k.”

 

“…onto the next...”

A smile and determined grin combined. Residue

spat, cleaned, wiped, mopped up.

 

 

Joe shrugged, taking a swig and rinse as well.

First and Second Cloths, corner tossed.

Fresh breath. Breath fresh.

 

Well as then,

cleaning His hands with Soap and Water, a Flower

Essence

so filled the Air. Complex bouquets of Sweet

and Spice. Exotic.

 

Frankincense it seemed.

Antiseptic as well.

Third Cloth tossed.

 

The scented smell soothing, though filling the Senses

as well.

Placing it back and next to, The Scissors, small, golden

and sharp. Fancy,.. rather ornate… perhaps a Gift,

though well kept. With little signs of Age. Sitting still.

Awaiting their Turn.

 

As He and the Men sorted. Refilled Pockets

of the unneeded. Mary’s breathing changed. Joe, sensitive

and practiced,

adjusted Her Position. Slightly, to suit.

 

Her Breathing was louder, pains now more insistent.

Persistent as well.

 

Slightly unnerving as Joe could do little too. To Help

take that edge off. Wiping His own brow

as He felt. Movement next to Him.

“…We will do what ever You need Us to Joe...”

 

said the Man closest. Clasping

His shoulder for emphasis.

 

Joe looked Him square in the Eyes. Seeing humble

and open honesty dwelling there.

 

 

“…I’m Mel Auricson,..” automatically

reaching for a Business Card. Handing

One to Mary, then Joe.

Not to be outdone both the One. Next and then Phone

Caller did same.

‘…Casper Frankson...”  “… Belmont Mirrson…”

 

As Mary went to grab Hers, another wave struck. Gasping

and clutching. At the pain

Her Hands withdrew. Reaching over, Joe

took the Cards,.. nodding to Them

all. Looking down hurriedly, He noted the Logo…

 

M.A.G.I. Mel Auricsons Great Importiums...

 

 

...embossed as well, noted too. Placing them, His and Mary’s

in His top-pocket. He

turned back to where what mattered most. Mary had paled

some. He quickly

gave Her some Water from the Case, noting

in the background,..

 

Mr Mirrson seemed to be online with the Hotel Supervisor.

 

“…ok Folks…” He spoke up, Phone held loose.

His dark features crinkled though with smiles in His eyes,

as He overdramatised, like a solemn Reporter’s

Evening spiel.

 

“…The Super’s got the Crew on it. If it’s the usual problem,…

…We’ll be ALL out safe and soon. If not.?.”

He shrugged in the Way of those Destinies,

Fates. Letting it hang.

 

“…The Ambulance is also on the Way…”

He continued on, then pointing at Joe...

“… They’ll call here when they arrive.?.”

 

Then looking to Joe for confirmation. Joe in turn,

nodded to Mary, holding Her gaze. Simply stated

in reply:

“… It’s Time…

Now…

 

…They’re gonna miss out…”

 

 

They All laughed.

Then got down to work.

 

Picking out, checking. Over His Tools a breathe of relief

Joe now gave. He was Ready. They All were.

 

That too which moved within Mary. Was ready as well.

 

The act proceeding along naturally. Joe watching close,

encouraging

where needed, supporting when can. The Men kept busy

with the minor chores.

 

Sweating freely, Mary now, quite loud with some choice

winces, groans and gasps,..

at those sudden moments of tearing despair.

 

Mary’s face deep reddened as Times slowly ticked on. Sweat

and Tears

mingled so. Grabbing the cool Water, Joe

let some trickle behind Her

Neck. She smiled in ‘tween gasps and exhaled

more evenly. Settled somewhat more.

 

 

“...More Please… That Helps…”

came out at last. Joe complied, glad She felt some blessed Relief.

He had seen.

Her Hands constantly wringing, turning those pains away.

 

As New Life so then emerged, Joe tapped His Watch

without looking,

to record that Event. Hands then quickly back

and under, He watched in

awe. The Miracles of Nature simply unfold.

 

Secure in His Hands this small and squirming bundle

stretched

as if waking. A Hand came up,

then down in a movement and motion Joe

thought was rather Zen. To

 

then rest on His Thumb, in a steady and sure

grip. Content. At ease.

 

 

He…

 

They All... gathered around.

Simply Watched as a new Life soon gave voice.

 

Tying and Cord-cutting, with Scissors glimmering ‘tween

His Hands,

sharply, smoothly. He

then wiped clean that bright and brand new Face.

Wrapping up in a small Towel that was colored as bright

as Our Sun. A

golden Child, Joe thought as He passed Him

to where He now, so

 

Belonged.

In those Arms of His Mother. Mary. Just there. Then

as the phone so interrupted. Mr. Mirson took the handset.

 

“... Congratulations… A Son…” Joe intoned solemnly.

 

Small cheers, acknowledgements, chorused by All as Mr. Mirson

confirmed the good news.

That rose a lil’ louder as They began too. To so move again.

The Ambulance ready and waiting. So

 

Down.

 

 

A lil’ later.

On the gurney, through and out the Front Entrance,

Mary motioned Him close.

 

“… Thank-you Joe. For Everything…”

She smiled, that Glow All around.

Joe had to check His own breathing. Then.

 

“… Well Mary,.. I’m not going to say it was All a pleasure,

though indeed,..

It was a grand way to spend the night… no joshing there…”

 

…letting heartfelt Truth add depth of feeling to. His Words.

 

“…joshing… Josh.?.

 

…THAT’S IT… JOSH…

 

…Joshua…”

Mary almost blew the words from within. Breathless.

Timeless.

 

“… He… Joshua will be His Name…”

 

She leaned back as the Ambo’s readied Her

for Transport. Then

leant

forward quick, to converse with One.

After a short exchange She searched out to catch His eye.

“… Bethlem Royal...” She mouthed His way.

 

He gave Her the A-ok sign.

She leant back again. Stayed there, as Others now

did Their part. Joshua settled in.

 

Joe waved just before the closing of doors. Mary too.

He stayed, still.

 

Watching till They were finally lost. In the Night’s dark.

 

 

Strolling back to His Cab, Joe tapped. The Display on His watch

bringing up the Time. Of Birth that He had clicked on earlier.

 

The Watch flickered, finding the Time then displaying.

12:12

12:12,.. Born on the 25th... of the… 12th Month.?.

 

1212?

 

Wasn’t that their Room number.?. Too.?.

Those 3 Men.?.

He clutched at His shirt pocket,

feeling and grasping the Cards therein.

Mel Auricson, Casper Frankson, Belmont Mirrson.

 

Those… MAGI Men...

He’d give them a Call soon. To say Hi.

Thanks too.

 

Perhaps pick up a Gift for Josh and Mary.

 

 

(Music Link)

 

 

He put the Cards back in. Tapped the pocket.

“...It’s Time…”

 

With just two words, 5,.. no, 6... Lives did so meet.

 

6 Lives. One Night.

 

Looking down at His Hands, Joe smiled.

Remembering what just before had been there. So Full

of Life.

 

A blessing.

The Cards decided it for Him.

 

 

At least now He had a great excuse to visit Joshua

and Mary.

At the Old Bethlem Royal.

 

He was starting to so like Mary.

As for Josh,.. Josh, was a given.

A Gift of Life.

 

Joe walked on.

 

It’s Time.

 

 

Scribe’s Notes:

 

The above is/was... i, Shiro’s Attempt at. A Christmas

turned Tale of Fiction. So

Using the Legendary + Timeless Themes

of Birth, New Life.

 

Simply Enjoy.

 

 

The Cast:

 

Joshua : The Newborn. Gifted with Life. Simply Cute

and So. On.

Mary : The Mother. A Gift-Giver. Cute, so sayeth One

Joe.

Joe : Joseph, Wood-Worker, Asst. Medic,

Life-Coach. OK Joe archetype.

 

The 3 Men : The 3 Wise Men: THE MAGI.

Mel Auricson : MELCHIOR, the Gold-Gifter.

Casper Frankson : CASPAR, the Frankincense.

Belmont Mirrson : BALTHASAR, the Myrrh.

 

All… Persian, Olden. Sons Of Yore. Wiseass as Serpents

it seems in Magi in Deed. Also. (...Indeed as well...

 

…Btw’s… AURIC… That is. Is so and that:

An Yore/Olden Term for Our Gold...) Thereof. Herein. Be

 

A Christmas Tale.

That carries no stinger...

 

just some zing.

 

 

Our World Legends.

Be One.

It’s Time.

 

Wherever, Whenever, Whatever

You so Find... Your Self.

 

 

Next… So be in Our World. Legends

 

froms #I in Our A To. To Z.