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In the evening, the trumpets called. Seven times rang the wide-belled bugles of the Kingdom of Heaven, the seventh swaying the world gently to rest. Thumping with intensity ran the preacher's slippers across the floor of his home, opening the curtain and hollering for his wife.

"Judy!" He panted, breathless. "Judy, wake up--- damned useless woman, wake up!" The preacher shook his wife by the shoulder as golden light rained through their window. Judy rolled over, white dress wrinkling beneath their starched high-count sheets, mumbling something about dinner in her drowsy stupor. "Judy, the--- the angels, the angels are comin'! The rapture's here!"

As the white glow of Heaven danced on the floor of their bedroom, Judy's eyes widened, taking in the scene before her. "You don't mean---"

"That's right, sweetheart." The preacher donned a smile. "We were all right. All right all along. It's all over for them."

The archangel Gabriel descended from the clouds, voice soft as he tossed his golden hair over his shoulder.

"In three days from this hour of thirds," he said, "we will retrieve those destined for Paradise. We are giving those who will ascend ample time to part and say farewell to loved ones, as well as prepare the world to move on without you.

"You may call on any of our angels and ask any question, besides your final destination. Thank you for your cooperation."