Final Jeopardy

by Terry Broxson

The voice said, "Kevin, move toward the light."

I wanted to ask if I was about to meet God. But I could not form any words. As the lights grew brighter, I realized I stood behind a podium on a stage. I was not facing God. At least, I didn't think so. I was facing Alex Trebek.

"Kevin, welcome, to Final Jeopardy; I am Alex Trebek, your host."

"Alex, am I dead?"

"Not yet, it is time to play Final Jeopardy."

"I don't understand."

"Look, it is pretty simple. You have been playing the game of life for a long time. You have won some. You have lost some. Like everyone, you have achieved a lifetime score. In Final Jeopardy, you have a chance to improve your score or lower it."

"What do I win?"

"If you win, it will be Paradise. If you lose, let's say you don't win Paradise."

"Alex, what do I have to do."

"Kevin, to get to Paradise, you need a lifetime score of 1000 credits."

"Okay, how many credits have I achieved so far?"

"Great question! Final Jeopardy gets challenging. We don't tell you your current score. You have to decide whether you have already achieved 1000 credits or do you need to improve your score. In Final Jeopardy, you can wager any amount up to 1000 credits. I can assure you have at least achieved a positive score because negative lifetime scores are not allowed to play Final Jeopardy."

"Alex, this sounds hard."

"You do have three lifelines you can use."

"I thought lifelines were in a different game."

"In this version of Final Jeopardy, we have different rules."

"How do I use my lifelines?"

"You choose three acquaintances you have known. I will play a video of an interaction with your choice. You can evaluate how or if the interaction affected your lifetime score."

"I would like to select Jacob Harkings."

"Ah, your longtime business partner, good choice. Here is a replay of the day you both retired and dissolved your partnership."

"Jacob, after thirty-two years of working with you, I am glad it is finally over."

"Kevin, you helped me earn a lot of money, but the price was my integrity. On the one hand, I am grateful. On the other, I am ashamed."

"Alex, I am not sure how to evaluate Jacob's comments. I never asked him to give up his integrity. In business, I was always two steps ahead. Then I had to go one step back and drag ole Jacob. He was a pain in you know where."

"Who is your next lifeline?"

"My father."

"Fathers are always a popular choice. Here is a replay of the day before you married, the first time."

"Son, I don't have much advice. I tried to be a good father to you and your brother. Your mother and I have been married for twenty-nine years. I can not imagine being married to anyone else. So, love your wife; if you are blessed with kids, love them too."

"Dang, Alex, I don't know how that helps me. I was only married a couple of years the first time, but I made over forty years the second go around. I never had any kids. Is that a plus or a minus?"

"Kevin, you ask another excellent question. You do the evaluation, not me. You have one more lifeline."

"Okay, I choose Barney. I know he loved me."

"Your yellow lab, this is a bit unusual, but here is the video."

"Barney! Bad dog! You can not use the new oriental carpet for your bathroom! If you do it again, I'll roll up a newspaper and teach you a lesson you won't forget!"

"Alex, I never hit Barney! I only wanted to get his attention. I hope he knew I would not hurt him."

"That is it for your lifelines."

"So, I disappointed my business partner, father, and dog. I am surprised I have a positive lifetime rating."

"Kevin, these are only three glimpses of your life. Like I said earlier, you have won some and lost some."

"Alex, I know it is often said God likes to test us. Is this one of his tests?"

"Kevin, stop with the questions. It is time to play. Let me give you the Final Jeopardy category before you place your wager. Here is the category." The word LOVE pops up on a big screen.

"Okay, Alex, I will wager 1000 credits."

"Kevin, here is the Final Jeopardy answer: your three greatest loves. Remember your response must be in the form of a question."

As the music starts to play, Kevin is thinking hard about his three greatest loves. It could be a trick question. Finally, he writes: what are my wife, my little brother, and my 1963 split window corvette?

"Darling, wake up. It's time to go to bed."

"What? Wait, did I win?"

"Win?"

"Final Jeopardy."

"Kevin, Jeopardy was over an hour ago. You fell asleep in your recliner."