
When the Gods Get Bored
by Ray Koziel

"Loki!  Loki where are you?!"

"Why Thor, how are you doing?  What's all the fuss about?"

"Loki, Father Odin has asked me to talk to you about some of your
mischievous doings of late.  He wants you to stop playing your pranks
immediately, and to leaving California alone."

"Oh come on Thor!  Give me a break!  What is a god to do nowadays?
Those humans down there have forgotten about us up here in Asgard!
All of them, caught up in their material things - their homes and
cars and computers.  Or they are too busy!  Running of to this
meeting and that conference!  To be honest Thor, I'm just plain
bored." 

"Bored?   Loki, you are a god of Asgard...how can you possibly be
bored?!" 

"I didn't think it could be possible either but it's true.  It was
kinda fun at first.  Let's see, there was the Bermuda Triangle.  That
lasted quite some time before humans just stopped going through
there.  Then there are the UFOs!  Those still work in certain places.
And then they invented the computer!  I'm still having a ball with
those!  Computer viruses, system crashes, the possibilities are
endless!  And they're putting together this information highway to
link 'em all together!  Hooboy!  I can't wait."

"See Loki!  I'd say you are far from being bored."

"Ok, ok.  But you have to admit, it's just not the same!  I mean even
you have to admit that a thousand years ago you had 'em shaking on
Midgard every time you slammed your hammer and sent thunder through
the air.  And what's all this about me leaving California alone?"

"Well haven't you gone a little overboard?  Fire, riots, mudslides,
earthquakes - how much can one area take?!"

"Oh, all those pompous, rich idiots make me sick and I had to teach
'em a lesson.  Why they want to live on top of a fault line is beyond
me anyway.  And what are you getting on my case for, Mr.
Thunderpants?  How about you and that little flood you got going in
the Midwest, huh?" 

"Ok you got me!  I see your point.  It has been so long since I've
been able to express my strength and power.  It just got pent up
inside me and I had to let it go.  You're right Loki, things are not
the same anymore and there just isn't anything for a god to do."

"Hey, come on, don't be so glum!  I know!  Let's go see how my latest
prank is unfolding.  I've been sending Wall Street on the wildest
ride ever.  This should keep those starched shirts and bean counters
on antacid for a while!"

"I'm glad to see some things haven't changed!  Let's go!"       {RAH}
--------------
Ray Koziel is a systems programmer/analyst for a consulting firm in
Atlanta.  Since Ray has started contributing to RAH, his wife has
become more at ease now that he has a new target for his weird sense
of humor.

