THE DECISION MAKER.

His parents, convinced Europeans,had given him European first names Hans, Pierre, Luigi. He had risen rapidly through various political ranks to become one of the foremost decision makers in that catastrophic European melting pot called Brussels. His over-indulgent way of life in these high places had resulted in a massive heart attack.

When he came to he was standing in the doorway of a well appointed living room, tastefully furnished with a dark blue sofa, two matching armchairs and a low table. On this table was a tray with a bottle of Scotch, a soda syphon, a crystal glass, bowls of assorted nuts and crisps
and a box of cigars. There were books in several book cases and some interesting and valuable paintings on the walls.

Sitting on the sofa was a young man dressed in well-pressed jeans and a white sweat shirt with "I love heaven" on the front. On his feet were white socks and white trainers. He had intense blue eyes and short fair hair.Hans looked at the young man who smiled and beckoned him over. He joined him on the sofa. Hans felt the need to introduce himself. "I am Hans Pierre Luigi and I am one of the decision makers in Brussels."
The young man replied, "I know who you are."My name is Paulin and I am an archangel. St Peter sends his greetings but he has been detained. There has been a catastrophe on earth and he is dealing with the influx of victims that have just arrived. When something like that happens he asks a group of archangels, of which I am one, to deputise for him. I hope you don't mind."
Hans didn't know what to say.To put him at his ease Paulin offered him a drink, telling him to help himself.
"In view of what has just happened to me I'd better make it a small one. Thank you."
With a glass in his hand Hans began to relax. He helped himself to a handful of nuts.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"All in good time. Tell me about yourself and your life on earth."
Warmed with the whiskey Hans became expansive.
"I am one of the senior decision makers in Brussels. Things in Europe needed to be taken in hand as the 27 members found it hard to agree about anything. There was too much self-seeking and a lot of greed. I was the best equipped to deal with the multi-problems and to attempt to turn the 27 into a coordinated whole. I was listened to and my decisions were accepted, for the most part.
Paulin looked suitably impressed. He then suggested that Hans pour himself another drink.
He said gently "I understand that the only suggestion mutually agreed upon by the 27 members was the date of the next meeting, but it is some of the other decisions that I'd like to talk to you about. The decrees from Brussels, or if you like, the do as we say or else ones. Let me give you an example. In a village up in the mountains of a country that you know well lived an old lady who had a herd of goats. Their milk was excellent and the cheese it made delicious. She had many customers and made a living that supplemented her meager pension. She was happy,the goats well cared for, then Brussels issued a decree. All cheese making equipment had to be made of stainless steel. Inspectors would check that everything was to European norms, if not fines would ensue or the business closed. She had neither the means to change her equipment nor to pay fines so she closed her business, sold her goats and now lives in poverty. She wasn't the only small business that had to close. Others endebted themselves to meet the new regulations and it will take them years to pay off these debts.This is just a small example. What concerns us here are the decisions made by Brussels that have reduced so many people to depend on charitable organisations for their food and their clothing. This concerns not only single parent families, two parent families but also the elderly, those struggling to make ends meet and who see the ends getting further and further apart,and there is no chance that they'll ever meet."

Hans, looking uncomfortable, murmured "Many decisions were good, just, and were helpful. I am proud of quite a few of them."
Paulin looked at him quizzically and carried on "So many decisions seem to us to be badly thought through or not thought through at all. One of the latest ones that worries us deeply is the one that may cut back the amount of money given to charitable organisations. These are daily picking up the pieces of the disasters created by the decision makers. How can you possibly justify such a decision? On what will you spend the money that you will supposedly save."
Hans looked down at his shoes. Paulin had made points that had never crossed his mind.

Paulin's mobile phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket and listened.
"A decision has been made about you. I have been asked to take you back."
As the archangel guided him to the door of the sitting room he asked "Do you really need the gastronomic meals that you enjoy at your meetings or the expensive bottles of wine?"

Hans came to in the Intensive Care Unit of a famous heart hospital. He heard the doctor say "We've got him back. It will take time to get him back on his feet, but he's on the right road."
Would he remember all that the archangel had said or even the points he had raised when he took his place again among the decision makers in Brussels.
Only time and history will tell