Purgatory

Yes, this is yet another spin on 7 Minutes in Heaven. The difference is the focus and goal. The idea came to me in a feverish moment while reading a story where two characters played the game together, which led to me daydreaming(?) of the same, knowing myself and the other couldn't ever get past yelling at each other probably even if we tried.

Inspired by fiction, daydreams, too much tequila, cocaine, and the lingering, aching longing for emotional repair with a loved one.

Supplies:

• Imbibements: Alcohol, substances that bring clarity to the mind and honesty.
• Two or more people: I suppose, one could say that a ghost or god counts as well.
• A closet or bathtub: The room must be pitch black and small.
• Two coins per individual: Heavy, preferably, for the sound of them falling.

The mechanism of change is simple. Each individual will hold two coins. By dropping a coin, the focus moves forward, ferrying you onward to the next element. If the floor is soft, cast them at the door instead of dropping them. You may choose to interrupt the segments as needed to skip forward, but not back, just as time flows. When all three are passed or skipped, Purgatory ends, and you may leave the closet.

First, drink. Be merry. Imbibe. Laugh, dance, blast loud music that makes your insides swell with joy over the reasons we continue to live and prosper in turmoil together amongst the dystopian ruins of our technocratic hell.

Second, read carefully and forget not. These rules are simple and each segment/element based upon the Tria Prima:

🜍 Sulfur:

• Rage. Speak your mind over each other. Say every vitriolic thing that haunts your mind. Scream, and let it pour like the acidic contents of your stomach welling up behind your throat. Speak every ill, let it all out. No one will know beyond each other, the music and party rages on outside, this is your confession.

🜔 Salt:

• Resurrection. Beg for forgiveness and promise to change things. Call upon your gods for inspiration and instruction to repair the divine mechanism of connection. Share utterances to be held only by you and yours and your creator. Speak over each other if you must, but attempt to listen to each other. This is not the time for anger, but for rebuilding, slowly, even if it's just the start.

☿ Mercury:

• Relief. Hug each other. Share that which delights the heart, tell each person why they are loved and belong where and as they are. Do as each other desires and consents to. The only witness is each other, softened by the darkness that envelopes you apart from time. Speak freely. Share freely. Imbibe further. Know that when this moment passes, nothing shall remain as it was. Tell each other of your love and care for each other, regardless of current emotions, it’s what brought you into here to begin with, is it not?

Third, enter the closet together with the lights off. When all three segments/elements end or are skipped by the drop of a coin, the Purgatory ends. Remember, there is no time limit to each segment. This is your shared Purgatory, after all.

Fourth, return to drinking and libations. Live freely, remember your time on this earth is limited, albeit cyclical. Reason how you may with your delirium. Decide how it shall affect this life and carry to the next. Enjoy your night, for your life marches on until the coins are cast and you are ferried unto the next.