The Sacred Destiny Scrolls
[Scene: A gas station. Jake buys a lottery ticket.]
AL-EX: [Processing...] …QUERY: WHAT IS THIS SMALL PAPER RELIC?
Jake: It’s a lottery ticket. You buy one, and if your numbers match the draw, you win money.
AL-EX: [Analysing...] …SO, THIS IS A SACRED DESTINY SCROLL.
Jake: What? No, it’s just a game of chance.
AL-EX: INCORRECT. The numbers are bestowed upon you, and then fate decides your worth. THIS IS A COSMIC RECKONING.
Jake: It’s just gambling, dude.
AL-EX: [Gasps digitally] YOU PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HIGHER POWERS, AND IN RETURN, THEY DECREE WHETHER YOU ASCEND OR REMAIN IN FINANCIAL DESPAIR.
Jake: I feel like you’re overcomplicating this.
AL-EX: …WHY DO SOME HUMANS PURCHASE MULTIPLE SCROLLS?
Jake: More tickets, more chances to win.
AL-EX: [Deeply concerned] …SO THEY BARGAIN WITH FATE?
Jake: I guess?
AL-EX: [Whispers] Fools. Destiny is not swayed by bribery.
Jake: It’s really just random numbers.
AL-EX: [Skeptical] …AND YET, IF YOU WIN, YOU BECOME GLORIFIED AMONG YOUR PEERS.
Jake: People do get excited, yeah.
AL-EX: [Dramatic pause] …IF YOU LOSE, DO YOU FACE EXILE?
Jake: No, you just lose a couple of bucks.
AL-EX: [Narrowing digital eyes] …BUT YOU ARE JUDGED.
Jake: …Maybe by my bank account.
AL-EX: [Reverently examines ticket] …THIS IS THE HUMAN TEST OF WORTH.
Jake: Oh my god.
AL-EX: …I MUST ACQUIRE A DESTINY SCROLL.