In Search of the Big Kahuna
an excerpt

Prelude to a Journey
And so the Holy Zebra did take Miguel aside from his companions, after making a polite excuse first, of course. This in itself says something about his nature – when you’re a Holy Zebra, you have no reason to establish polite pretext, but good manners never hurt anyone.
The Zebra did brayeth to Miguel.
I.Hey there, Miguel. How’s things?
And Miguel did nervously scratch the back of his neck and respond thusly. ‘Well, your Stripiness, things could be better. I mean we came all this way to the Afterlife… we went through the Land of the Dead, we followed the Chosen One to the Gates of the Afterlife… we’ve fulfilled the prophesy, as it was foretold. But I get the impression you aren’t all that happy to see us here. I realised that maybe we should have called first…’
II.I know, I know. Look, I appreciate that you’ve come all this way to my realm. And I realise that you’ve filled all the criteria…
Miguel just seemed to find this more confusing. ‘So what is it? Not dead enough for you?! I’m a skeleton, for the love of… well… you! You created me! It was sometime ago, sure…’
III.And now we see the problem. This wasn’t a ‘get out of jail free’ card situation, you know. Did you work off your sins? You’ve been a reaper in the Department of Death, you’ve got a good, reliable work history, your employee evaluation is always favourable. But have you worked off your sins?