An asteroid collides with Earth and the world turns into a fiery mess.
Or maybe the planet gets swallowed into a black hole at the center of the galaxy, relegating all of its inhabitants to nothingness.
Either way, according to doomsayers, the world is expected to end on Friday.
Dec. 21, 2012, is the last day on the Mayan Long Count Calendar, one of three calendars used by the ancient rulers of Mexico and Central America. Or at least it is according to some popular, but probably mistaken, interpretations that have inspired day-of-reckoning movies and invitations to debaucherous parties around the world. Most scholars say the date marks the conclusion of a cycle or an era, not the end of the world itself.
Still, we asked folks around Los Angeles a simple question: If the world were ending Friday, how would you spend your last day?
"I would move my wedding up one day."
- Sim Reyatt, 31, of Newhall, who is getting married on Saturday.
"I would gather up all my kids, all grandkids and all the animals - go to all the shelters, let them all out. So we could all just be out there and have fun."
- Jill Milligan, 64, of West Hills.
"Christmas would definitely be coming early. No TVs, no cellphones, no computers ... just reminiscing on how the last 27 years of my life have been."
- Jan Ginelsa, 27, of Van Nuys.
"We really don't care what happens because I know where we're going. I'm Christian and I know we're going to heaven."
- Jose Estrada, 44, of Palmdale, referring to his family.
"(Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa) has a full work day scheduled here in Los Angeles, under the assumption that the world will not end on Friday."
- Villaraigosa spokesman Peter Sanders
"I would go kayaking on the L.A. River and then rent the DVD 'Apocalypto' to see what the next day would bring."
- Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti
"After LAPD Reserve Officer training, Councilman (Dennis) Zine will be hunting for end-of-the-world bargains."
- Zine aide Jessia Tarman, joking about her boss's penchant for sales.
Staff Writer Rick Orlov contributed to this report. ___
(c)2012 the Daily News (Los Angeles)
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