The Doors of Death

"The Doors of Death" by Arthur B. Waltermire is a short story that appeared in the magazine Weird Tales in the 1930s. This narrative combines elements of horror and philosophical musings, centering on the themes of mortality, fear of dying, and the afterlife. The story unfolds as a dialogue between a dying banker and his devoted servant, examining the deeper questions surrounding life and death. The storyline revolves around Judson McMasters, who, like his grandfather before him, fears the possibility of being buried alive due to a peculiar family malady. As he nears death, he has an intense conversation with his long-serving servant, Biggs, discussing beliefs about the afterlife and his own regrets about not having truly lived. McMasters reveals a secret plan he devised to avoid premature burial by installing an electric bell in his mausoleum to signal that he is not truly dead if the need arises. After dying, he uses a secret trap door to escape, but ultimately, the shock proves too much for Biggs, leading to a tragic conclusion. The story explores the anxieties of death and the human desire for control over the inevitable.