On this bright morning day, a figure approached a solid wooden door. The ornate design of the door impressed the man, leading him to look in glore.

“Must be a homeowner of vast prominence” the shadowed figure mumbled.

Unwelcomed and uninvited, the man struck with force against the luxurious door. One swift kick, open wide swung the door. 

Past that barrier, before him sat a house of rich wealth and rampant materialism. In front of the man stood a small, doorless entrance. From there, it lead down a narrow hall into an over illuminated room. five walls in total, the angled room formed a unsymmetrical pentagon. From floor to celling, clear glass phased in the suns light. Inside of this showcase of a room, sat case after case; filled with the finest and rarest pottery from around the globe. 

“This man very much enjoys the fine aspects of life!”

Continuing from room to the next, the visitor was affronted by one material extreme to the next. Rooms adorned with expensive antiquities, paintings from the greatest of mankind, rare leather couches tailored in Italy and assembled in the heights of the Alps. Tables littered with diamond encrusted plates, mounted with heaps of uneaten food. 

I should surely love to meet the owner of this house, thought the strange man. 

Deeper into the bowls of the home, the halls became place to display the mans human connections. Large family pictures, collected kin. Each member looking successful within their own rights. Further and further, fewer occupants hung amongst the wall; until finally the man reached the last one of them all. 

Upon what hung, looked a man; faced wrinkled and sunken. Eyes, a window to the soul, bled pain and anguish. The drops at the end of his lips showed a life of much discontent then the average man. Hunched back posture, hinted at a life of much strife, no real prosperity. 

Past the portrait of pain, lead a door way down a twisting, turning lane. At the end of the circuit, sat a swivel chair; red and perfect. Locked in agony, immobilized by grief; alone sat the man. throne to his agony and master of his misery.  

“Hello, Samuel”

A despondent croak moaned from the chair, devoid of the proper oils. Face to face, house intruder to home owner. But Samuel’s face showed a sign of relief, as if he had been expecting this guest all along. 

Barely a faint whisper, “By god, you are real…I know it was soon, but not this early…I, I…I have atonements to be made, bills to pay, and a whole flock of grand children to share my nam-“

Cutting the spacial gap between them, the mysterious man pressed verbally as well, “DO YOU, Samuel? You have a story of your name to share? With your grandchildren? Is it a story worth hearing, do you think they are going to be interested in the life you lead?”

“Well…now, I…I need to tell it to them, for without the story, my name will fade and I shall be another nameless victim to the beautiful tragedy that is life.”

“Then by all means, Share with me this tale. That is if its a story with retelling. It is a story that I would enjoy, right Samuel?” The ambiguous figures tone suggested a hint of irritation.

The seated mans face changed from one of concern to disappointment. He cleared his throat of aging problems, his voice grew in volume. “Now that I think, I have no lessons to leave, just this house full of expensive things. Broken, smashed and tattered memories, as well as my regrets for the life I never had the spirit to lead. 

“Interesting. Very interesting. Well now, if there was a lesson you could leave if you would, please; what would your answer be?” With the pause in each breath, the shadowed man rocked back and forth on his heels. 

“I have just made my penance, I have no life, no insights, no moral complexity to leave in challenge, like those who have preceded me. I lived a life of over filling, under nourishing excess. An existence devoid of substance, and my soul should be judged as such.”

Now standing directly next to the seated man, he was seized up by the arms.

“Chap, since you professed your souls lack of redeeming qualities, I believe it best be time to get on our way.”

And with that, out dragged the strange, shadowy figure a man so petrified and ashamed of life, he had to reason to fight it.