Do you believe you deserve forgiveness, Mr. Afton?
I do.
Why?
I was carried away by my own ambition and my hubris. It is not a crime deserving of such a final punishment.
You think so?
Whatever evils I committed, and the evils themselves I do not deny, were done all in service of an objectively good-- noble, even-- goal.
Fascinating. What of this goal? You never did accomplish it, did you?
I spent the latter half of my life working to undo the mistake of my eldest son. I was trying to put my youngest back together. To answer your question, no, I was never successful in that.
So, there was never any "end," for the "means" to justify, then? You'd agree?
Not remotely, old fisherman. My breakthroughs had the potential to benefit all of mankind, had I been afforded more time to continue my research.
You are suggesting that the slaying of children and extraction of their vitality into a viscous serum would have become a widely accepted and adopted procedure among the general populace?
I am suggesting that my research held significant promise.
Mr. Afton, I should like to remind you that you only get one judgement. You had best be careful when making your case to me.
...I admit that I was heavily misguided. Do not think, however, that I was senseless in my actions. I am not a common criminal, I do not hurt for such base reasons as sadism, lust, or greed. I have dignity and conscience.
How interesting. Do you know that you're lying, or do you truly believe what you're saying?
...
Mr. Afton, this is your last chance at any hope of salvation. I recommend you use it wisely.
...
Was it really all my fault?
Yes, it was.
The funny thing is, I don't think I ever wanted to hurt anyone, not in the beginning, at least.
I believe that.
I regret it all.
I believe that, too.
I truly do regret it all. I wish I could see my children again.
Even Michael?
I wish I could see them again. I want to have a picnic.
That's a lovely thought.
I am sorry. I truly am.
After all this time, only now can you see what you wrought on the world?
The inertia of evil is hard to overcome. I was not myself, I don't think.
Maybe that's true, maybe it isn't. Maybe you don't know yourself as well as you think you do.
Either way, I am contrite. I wish I could take it all back.
Very good, Mr. Afton. However, I can't grant you absolution.
What?
If you'd like, you can stay here for a while longer, and fish with me. It will be a blink of the eye compared to the eternity you will face.
Are you to tell me that, even in my contrition and admission of guilt, I am damnned anyway?
A snake gets into a farmer's coop and slaughters every last chicken that he owns. The snake can apologize to the farmer, pray to its great snake god for forgiveness, but in the end, no amount of sorrow or guilt will bring back the farmer's chickens. You remember your eldest son, Mr. Afton; this should be a very familiar concept to you.
But, I don't want to go to Hell.
Nobody does.
Surely I can get another chance? There must be something I can do, is there not?
You can sit here with me for a while longer, but there is no escape for you now. You chose your path.