Image copyright: Sandra Crook
“Synchronise watches.”
Those years in special army units had taught him the importance of time and timing.
“Time – it’s a matter of life and death.”
They checked their watches, their phones.
The taxi arrived. “On schedule,” he said.
The airport was bustling. Some delays. Not their flight. They checked the departure boards – all those hours and minutes.
Him in his wheelchair – first on the plane, but last off. He fretted, checked his wrist.
At baggage collection, they adjusted their watches – forward by one hour – this is Berne, not Bolton.
The smartly dressed driver held up his sign – “Dignitas”.
Written in response to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ seductive weekly 100 word writing challenge. Find it here.
patrickprinsloo 
Oh no, such a sad story. I had to read it twice to get the full essence of it, but that is often a good thing. The layers in this are so well done!
Thanks, Lori.
My pleasure, Patrick 🙂
I love it when you get to the end of the story and have to go back and re-read – all the layers of meaning become clear. This is great.
Thanks Margaret
Both beautiful and moving. Great story.
Thank you.
I had to read to find out what the sign meant. I understand now it was his final journey. You did it justice with your story.
Good of you to say so.
Very powerful. Time is omnipotent but fortunately most of us live in bliss not knowing how much we have left
Ignorance is the way I like it; but every now and then a part of my body threatens to pack it in. I seek the elixir of youth.
I too had to look up “Dignitas” Euthanasia is not legal in the US either. It is a very personal and moral choice. However, since I support Abortion rights I also support ones right to choose death. It is sad and tragic and should not be taken lightly, but sometimes necessary.
You obviously give these things a lot of thought. And rightly so.
Yes, we have had quite a few debates here about euthanasia and will for a long time to come I think. Powerful story Patrick, well done.
Thanks. It’s not something to be taken lightly. Long my the debates continue.
well done!
Thank you.
I didn’t see that coming. Brilliant.
‘About Harry’, my 100 words!
Thank you.
I’ve always been a procrastinator and the greatest achievement in that realm is being late to your own funeral. Don’t bother synchronizing your watches.
I might boycott mine.
Don’t you just love it when you get your readers to look up a word? This was wonderful, Patrick. We all have to go some day and if we can actually organise it… well… is that always so bad?
I looked it up too. It really made the story for me.
It’s scary, though.
But cool…
Very well done. I must admit, I had to look up Dignitas. Seems the hourglass makes many of us think about time running out.
It is a common theme this week, isn’t it. I suspect we all fear a poor ending.
Chilling story – well done. Birth is chancy and unpredictable, as is life. I think death should be too – but others would disagree.
Sometimes one wants to take control. Who knows, one day it may be …
You set up the ultimate ending very well, with a heart stopping bang. Great story
Thanks. Nice comment.
Oh, that was a shock. I liked the way you threaded time though the whole story.
Thank you. Sorry about the shock, though.
This breaks my heart a little. Controlled and disciplined to the very end. Euthanasia is illegal in Germany, too, and with a reason. I’m undecided. While a painless, dignified end would be what I wanted, too, I think this also puts a huge burden on doctors. A heavy subject, well presented. C: perfectly misleading from possible military mission to family outing to this. Great punchline.
Thank you. From Colonel to grave – that’s life.
Beautifully captured.
Thank you.
I can’t imagine the emotions that accompany a trip like this. You succeeded in showing us the man, rather focusing on the situation. Nicely done.
If it makes any difference, I knew something was up from the beginning, but you had me guessing about where they were going. I thought maybe it would turn out to be a stag party. How wrong can I be?
Could have a stag party en route. Why not?
I believe it would take a well ordered mind to be in control of one’s end. Certainly he fits the bill.
Sad yet dignified.
True. And he has a supportive family.
Had to look up the last word, then it all came together. A lot of impact, great job!
Thanks.
I had to google Dignitas.. somehow you capture the man with his sense of always being in control…and I do agree with your comment… there is something strange with a service like this being a so profitable.
That’s life, eh. And the other.
The older I get, and closer to death, the more I favor this kind of escape. I’m a planner too.
We are all watching the sands of time trickle away. Not that I’m old, you know. Twenty one next week (again).
Well happy birthday! 😉
Killer last line. So very well done, Patrick.
Thanks Sandra, and a really interesting hour glass. Well spotted and recorded.
Oh – I actually made an out loud sound on the last line – glad I wasn’t reading in public! Very well done.
Thanks. I try not to embarrass people.
🙂
Good story, Patrick. Some people have to be in control. I imagine he did well in the army. Well done. —- Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. It’s the way he was.
I like quiet stories that leave a powerful impact. Great story, Patrick!
Thank you. And now I’ll visit yours.
Excellent piece, Patrick, with ‘killer’ punch line.
A sad possibility for many of us, I think.
Thanks. Maybe better than long and drawn out.
Dear Patrick,
He’s a man who has always been on a tight schedule. It’s only natural he’d schedule his own death. I’ll admit to looking up “Dignitas.” Tightly, well ordered story served up with a side of chills.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Big debates here about euthanasia. Not legal in the UK but the law turns a blind eye to Switzerland. Dignitas is brand leader. And makes plenty of profit, no doubt.
Now there’s a thought.