"Charon," David said. "Charon, look at me." He waited until the boatman had turned back toward him. "You told me there is no concept of time in this place, right?" The head within the hood nodded, slowly. "So, it can't matter very much if I arrive now, or later, can it? Whoever is waiting for me on that other shore will be waiting for me regardless of when I actually get to my destination, correct?"

"I...yes. I suppose that is correct," Charon finally answered.

"Well, what can it hurt if we take a little side trip, then? Who knows, maybe this river runs in a huge circle and we'll eventually end up right back here, again, anyway. But perhaps it goes someplace else--someplace new and different. A place you have never been before. Aren't you willing to take a chance and find out?"

"I have never strayed from my purpose...before," Charon said, quietly.

"Hey, I've never died before, either, but I'm not letting that little fact get in the way of possibly expanding my horizons a bit." He leaned forward and reached out a hand toward the boatman. "I just need someone to show me the way. If you help me, we can do this together, my friend," he told him.

Charon stood transfixed for quite a while, then slowly leaned forward, reached out his own hand and grasped David's. The boatman's skin was cool and dry, almost leathery in texture. "Very well, 'friend,'" Charon said. "We will do this."

"Yes!" David nearly shouted, then pumped Charon's hand several times. "Let me just turn around, so I can see, well, whatever there might be to see." He released the boatman's hand and carefully turned himself so he was facing forward, as Charon kept the punt steady. "Ready whenever you are," David announced.

Slowly at first, Charon poled the punt down river, reveling in this new experience. He soon worked up a steady rhythm and their vessel glided smoothly through the water.

David smiled as they skimmed over the river, not really caring if they saw anything different or not, just happy to be heading in a direction that was unintended. His new found happiness must have been shared, because behind him, he was sure that he could hear the sound of contented humming from within the darkened hood of his companion.