(no subject)

[lastgunslinger]

For the last few days Roland has been feeling...antsy. This is why he decides to explore. Sitting in his room, listening to music -- that wasn't doing it. It got even worse when he recalled that maybe he did know a song from the Johnny Cash album -- American IV.

"The Man Comes Around" is a hymn of the Manni.

The hairs on your arm will stand up
At the terror in each sip and in each sup
Will you partake of that last offered cup
Or disappear into the potter's ground
When the Man comes around

He's got it running through his head as he walks the bounds -- spending the morning outside, stopping in the bar for a brief lunch (and not looking at the front door), and then finally exploring the hallways he's never had reason to go down.

The song doesn't leave his head.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers
One hundred million angels singing
Multitudes are marching to the big kettledrum
Voices calling, voices crying
Some are born and some are dying
It's Alpha and Omega's kingdom come

A staircase now. He mounts it, step by careful step.

Whoever is unjust let him be unjust still
Whoever is righteous let him be righteous still

The song echoes in his ears.

Whoever is filthy let him be filthy still
Listen to the words long written down

Echoes -- and as Roland reaches the top, and opens the door there to see what looks like a duel arena, he doesn't hear --

When the Man comes around --

-- the footsteps close behind his that are now audible.