Azrael waited patiently while Charlie mulled over this new idea.

Charlie: “No, I don’t suppose I would. Doesn’t make me any less irritated to be here.”
Azrael: “Nor I, but we’re almost done. Let’s get this finished and over with.”

Azrael took a quick yet cautious look around before willing Charlie and himself directly to the location of the next soul they needed to collect.

Charlie: “I can’t wait to be back to traveling by bus. This is just too unsettling.”
Azrael: “We get the job done faster this way, and it certainly beats walking.”
Charlie: “I don’t disagree.”
Xero: “Oh damn it all.”

Azrael: “Don’t bother trying to run. I’ve already sealed off this room from the rest of time and space. If you pass through the barrier I’m afraid there won’t even be anything left of your soul.”
Xero: “Yeah, I sort of figured you’d have done that straight off. I worked in accounting, I’ve seen the paperwork.”
Azrael: “Did you really think they wouldn’t notice you’d gone missing?”
Xero: “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
Charlie: “I can, and do. I wasted my entire day tracking down watches and souls and all sorts!”
Xero: “Don’t try to tell me you didn’t find it at least a tiny bit exciting. It’s got to at least have been a hell of a lot more interesting than driving a bus back and forth all day and night.”
Charlie: “I happen to like my routine.”

Xero: “So what happens now?”
Azrael: “Now I’m going to send you back where we belong.”
Xero: “And once I’m back, then what?”
Azrael: “Oh I imagine they’ll have some sort of hearing. They’d probably have let you off easy if it hadn’t been for the gaping hole you left in your wake.”

Xero: “That wasn’t even my fault! I didn’t open the gateway in the first place!”
Azrael: “We know.”
Xero: “So what happens to him? He just gets away with it?”
Azrael: “I’m not open to discuss that with you. Come on, it’s time to go back.”
Xero: “What happens to the people I’ve talked to? Will they remember seeing me?”
Azrael: “Yes, they will, but not exactly in a crystal-clear way. They’ll remember seeing you, but in time they’ll wonder if it was all just a dream. As soon as I get you back I’ll take care of everything.”

Charlie: “Blah blah blah! It’s like being in a god-danged henhouse! Can we just get on with it?”
Azrael: “Why are you always so cranky, Charles?”
Charlie: “I’m tired of being up here. I just wanna go home, feed my dog, and watch Jeopardy.”

Azrael smiled patiently at the old man, then turned back to Xero.

Azrael: “Try to stay out of trouble this time.”

Instantly and silently, Azrael and Charlie were alone.

Charlie: “That it then?”
Azrael: “That was the last of the souls. The memory smudging should only take a few minutes; you can head on back now.”
Charlie: “Your little trick going to work on vampires this time?”
Azarel: “Everyone.”

Charlie: “Funny how one person can make such a mess of things.”
Azrael: “A single person can also make things better.”
Charlie: “Still have that unerring faith in humanity, eh?”
Azrael: “It’s faltered once or twice, I admit it, but generally humans aren’t all that bad.”
Charlie: “Poppycock. I’m going home to watch my shows and put today behind me.”
Azrael: “See you later, old friend.”