*Carl, with a "C"

Karl shook the large brass di in both hands, he held it high then swung it low. "Sixteen, roll again." the dragon instructed. Karl rolled 13, 16, 14 and then 15. the dragon observed. "Not bad, not enough to be a Ranger, but enough to be a third-level Cleric. Hmmmmm." he made notes and calculated Karl's scores "You will get four level-one spells and two level-two spells... total of six... one suit of plate armor... metal helmut... chain meil optional... a mace. Now all you need is a name." "How about Carl with a 'C'?" asked Karl with a 'K'.

"Really, that's very queer, not Chuck, Charles, Carlton... Caralito?" he shook his head, no. "Have you considered a name that starts with a vowel? Options, lad..." He shook his head no again and tried on his new helmet, smelling it first, placing it backwards first and then wearing it correctly. The dragon gave him a questionable thumbs up with a scaley spur.

"If you're serious... that is who you will be... Carl with a 'C'." He put his claws to each side of his mouth and annouced. "Carl, the third-level Cleric, will be leaving on flight#9 from Newark Liberty!"

"You're allowed one hand-carry item, here's your itinerary, collect your Clerical accoutrements on your way out. You can trade that mace in later, at the next level." he handed Carl a leather sac and the updated Players Guide. "Keep these things together. I want you to spend mooooore time with the new spells, this time study them well. You can't 'turn' a giant ant 'undead'."

The dragon took Carl by the shoulders and turned him around examining the new Cleric's dress and disposition. He tucked Carl's collar back into his plate armor."You could stand to change your look a bit, but that's up to you." He pushed Karl's hair away from his face with wet lick. "Did you know that pomade tastes like Lemon-mint Ricola and cigarettes? Such a sweet face for a Cleric. Try scowling once in a while."

"Shouldn't I study this stuff before I go?" asked Carl "Cleric... the whole point of rolling is to take you to your next adventure, which does not take place here in the Big Darkness. Adventures only take place in the Other Life. You will learn everything you need as yougo." The dragon took a wiff, he could smell Carl's hesitation. "I should run through teh spells while I'm here, it should only take a few days. I'm not ready." protested Carl. The dragon poked a peep hole in the darkness and a little light leaked in. He jestured for Carl to peak into the hole, Carl obliged. "Take a peak at the Other Life, that's where you came from. Go ahead...What do you see?" asked the dragon, "Nnnnnnnn, nothing." said Carl.

"Look closer... squint... yes, yesss, how about now?" The dragon picked up it's large hind leg and cocked it back. He aimed his boney foot carefully at Carl's rear. "Still nothing" said Carl as he squinted with one eye. His new plate armor clincked and he adjsuted his helmet forward. "Keep looking... OK, now hold it!" The dragon gave him a kick so hard that Carl ripped right through the Big Dakness. Carl screamed as he flew through the deep blue space with his arms flapping about like a shiney moth. "Ahhhhhhhhh! Whyyyyy!" "It's for your own good Carl, now fly! Fly your way home Cleric, you know how! Flyyyyyy!" Voices faded as the hole in the Big Darkness closed over. Carl shot through the deep blue space like a plate covered bullet, then ripped right through the copper sunset making a loud boom, birds scaterred, then and finally he drifted into the midday squirrel grey sky of Kings County.

Carl was kicked so hard that he was flying backwards in time past yesterday. He could see all of Brooklyn below, he passed Monday's Anger Mangement session (AM#3 of 12): flying over 'the con' past 'the denial' and right onto the route to 'Domestic Violence'. He went farther, flying passed Super Bowl Sunday just stopping short of Saturday's Community Service crew, they were cleaning a church. Suddenly he he lost altitude and started to descend quickly spinnng down towards his apartment. Carl flailed his arms about and shut his eyes. Impact! With his back, he hit the dull red rug on the living room floor. Dust flew upwards and settled around him, books fell. The neighbors thumped at their ceiling with a broomstick. A dog barked throug the wall. Carl left the Big Darkness with a bang and returned to Other Life with a relatively benign thud. It was 2:20 am, Tuesday, February 7. The phone rang.