Thunder ripped across the darkened skyline as the bearded gentleman walked down the path. It was dark but in the distance he could see lights and, far out on the horizon, a beautiful dawn, one far different from any he had seen before. Just ahead was a gate. It was tall, with lighted poster cabinets on each side flanking what appeared to be a box-office-type cubicle. The gates connected to a fence that disappeared off to the right and to the left into the distance, so far they seemed to go into eternity. The gentleman knocked on the window to the cubicle and a slender man appeared from the back. He wore round spectacles and he had a brooding expression. He seemed slightly irritated but also friendly, he looked like he could easily present an array of contradictions in almost any context.
“Yes, how can I help you,” he said, perching himself on a stool while cradling an Epiphone Casino guitar.
“Where am I,” replied the gentlemen.”I don’t recognize this place and I am a bit lost.”
“I am Saint John Lennon. I am responsible for checking the rolls here at the gate. The system has a way of making sure you get where you need to be at a time like this but, I still have to check the rolls.
The gentleman replied, with some excitement, “You look very familiar and of course, the name; it didn’t have Saint attached to it years ago.” And he chuckled.
“Ah yes, you are from Earth so, you recall me as a member of a band called the Beatles.”
“Of course, no introduction necessary “ the gentleman replied excitedly. “Why are you at a gate?”
“Funny story, actually, I was giving an interview a number of years ago, been quite a few now, and I made an offhand comment about the Beatles being bigger than Jesus. I swear, it was just a dumb joke. After my passing, I was grateful to find out that God does have a sense of humor but, I still had to do some “time” so, here I am on the Gate. It’s not so bad though, I get to write and play.
Now about you, if you are here, like I said, the system has a way of getting you where you belong, you must have been a special musician. Who are you?”
“My name is Kenny Rogers”
“Hmm, I don’t see your name; could it be any other name?”
“Well, some knew me as the Gambler; it’s a little nickname from a song I performed.”
“Ahh, there you are, you were country music. No worries, you have a lot of friends here. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Glenn Campbell, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, and George Jones among others, are already here. Music is more universal than we ever realized. That being said sir, welcome to Rock and Roll Heaven sir; we have a hell of a band.” (If you believe in forever, Then life is just a one-night stand, If there’s a rock and roll heaven, Well you know they’ve got a hell of a band, The Righteous Brothers.)
The gate swung open and one more musical treasure made his way home.
“…somewhere in the darkness, the gambler he broke even…”