Necropolis

Necropolis

Newscoma had this link, and it was with great interest that I read this story on the unearthing of new discoveries at the Saqqara Necropolis.

It got me to thinking that we need a nice City of the Dead here in America. You know, someplace where the well-to-do can enshrine the dead, where they can take with them the riches of their lives. Just in case this whole Judeo-Christian-Islamic One True God thing doesn't pan out, and those multi-faceted theophilosophies turn out to be the correct side of the coin, and it turns out that you really can take it with you.

A query:

Should we decide to take this course, would we have to build a new City of the Dead, out in an empty spot in Kentucky, Arizona or North Dakota?

Or do we just take over an already buitl city. Maybe someplace like Topeka, San Antonio or Albuquerque?

Upon consdieration, I say the latter. And I say so without hesitation. And we take the city citing the Wrath of Khan precedent, that The Needs of the Many Outweigh the Needs of the Few. In this case, the needs of the many for a modern-day City of the Dead would outweigh the paltry needs of the citizens of Topeka, Kansas for homes.

Although I should add that there's no real reason that the living citizens of Topeka can't share their city with the non-living. Just so long as they realize who gets priority around these parts.

If the U.S. Necropolis Oversight Department (NOD) should roll up to your house with a moving truck filled not only with the body of Mortimer J. Snerd, Esquire, but all his worldly possessions for trapnsport to the afterlife, you would have to understand that you would need to vacate the premises. Immediately, and such.

Another thought: It's not all downside for the people of Topeka. I mean, there are many services from the living that the non-living citizens of Topeka would require. Air-conditioning and Refrigeration specialists come immediately to mind. I'd say there would also come a need for embalming technicians. Pest controllers, perhaps. There might also be need for taxidermists, bronzing artisans and any preservative creators that the Food Industry might have to give (if we could find the guy who made Peeps, which haven't been made new since the second World War....)

Nor should I neglect housekeepers. If there's one thing I know about maintaining a City of the Dead, it's that such a thing is in constant need of dusting.

Yes, there's lots of dusting in the City of the Dead.

I'd say you'd need hairstylists, too. Because a Swiffer will mess up a haircut.

Do you think these would be government jobs, or would they be contracted out to private entities? That important to know, because I'd be more likely to apply for that government job.

Does that job require a Civil Service Exam?

Just curious.