Death comes in with a gentle kindness though obtuse in his assertions. Maybe, he needs people to recognize that their time is up, or he is unable to tell them outright. He is firm in his proposition but explains the ways out that Lou Bookman could take. The last one suits Bookman’s purposes: he never got to make a big picture, one that opened the skies. Death grants bookman a reprieve and asks him when he thinks the pitch will be made. Bookman shuts the door on Death and shouts that he is done pitching.

Death follows Bookman pleading with him to reconsider and telling him there are consequences to his actions. Bookman refuses to listen until he hears squealing tires and one of his neighbor children is hit by a truck. Death had to take someone if Bookman wasn’t going to come willingly. Death will arrive for the girl at midnight, leaving Bookman to consider what has happened and what he can do to stop Death, who will no longer listen to Bookman’s pleas.

Bookman has two things in his heart. He has really wanted to make a big pitch and never gotten to, and he loved the children in his neighborhood. No one has to fear death who accomplishes in this life his or her heart’s desires and loves children. That’s true of Bookman, who has his last wish fulfilled and saves a little girl in the process. If there is something that you want to accomplish go out there and do it, but do it with kindness.