A Morality Tale

The following story is true; some of the later details are sketchy because they were passed on to me third-hand, but the broad strokes are all accurate.

Last November a dog-walking acquaintance named Ron suddenly collapsed and died of a heart attack at the premature age of 57. A single gay man, he had no partner but a lot of friends; his only close relative was an estranged brother, Avi, living in Israel. Avi flew over quickly and abruptly assumed all of Ron's affairs, but to the extent of defying all of Ron's wishes. He ignored the will that Ron had typed in his computer but never certified, which left his condo to a friend. The estate, consequently, legally defaulted to him. He then tried to have Ron's dog destroyed, but a neighbor rescued her in time. Finally Avi insisted, against Ron's inclinations, that Ron be buried in an exclusive cemetery so orthodox that only other Jews were permitted to touch the casket.

The day after the burial Ron's neighbors feted his life in a memorial buffet held in his condo building's rec room. After several people spoke in Ron's honor, Avi rose, and the crowd expected him to acknowledge their contribution to the event. Instead, Avi unscrolled a prepared statement, and proceeded to condemn all the people in the room, man and woman, gay and straight, for being part of the sinful city of Los Angeles, and helping cause Ron's demise. This was the last straw for many, and after a shouting match, Avi retreated to Ron's condo, where he remained in communicado. His only comment was to paint Ron's door black and sprinkle it with glitter, in a sanctimonious and contemptuous comment on his life.

Several days later Avi returned to Israel, but after having stolen the inheritance felt displeased that California law would still tie up the estate with its cumbersome probate system. So Avi decided to appropriate Ron's identity. With a switch of passport photos, and the liberal use of Ron's credit cards, Avi went on a spending spree, culminating in the purchase of a car in Canada, which he drove back into California. Unfortunately for him, the fraud was discovered, and he was arrested.

While he was held in custody for a few days the local authorities changed the lock on Ron's condo. When Avi was released from custody he bee-lined back to the condo but couldn't get in the unit. Angrily he confronted the manager of the building, demanding entrance. Once he became bellicose, the police were notified. When they appeared and tried to restrain him, the agitated Avi stood up, clutched at his chest, then fell down dead.

Really.

I don't know what conclusion to draw from this story, which reads more like a dark parable or a "Twilight Zone" scenario. Theists would speak of divine justice (I'm reminded of Julia Sweeney's play entitled "And God Said 'Ha!'"); secular humanists will marvel at its just desserts. Religious zealots and holier-than-thous might not want to comment at all. What most resonates with me is that everyone who heard this tale, including me, responded with delight. But that satisfaction is muted by my contemplation of what could motivate a private person to act as he did--a life cloaked in righteous indignation so hypocritical that its end results in universal glee.