Welcome gentle reader to a tale of nightmare and horror. A story of heartbreak and dilemma, an account of anguish and, ultimately, sacrifice. As our plucky heroine...
Deal's With The Devil!
Our tale of woe starts as so many such yarns do. In a bleak cold and grey graveyard. Picture, dear reader, an open grave. The weather is restless, squalid clouds boil, and ill-tempered winds gust and blow the leaves of late October.
A small funeral party stands around a grave, as the priest utters words meant to soothe, and the casket is slowly lowered. Three people watch the coffin descend. A man, his body withered by disease, sits in his wheelchair and says goodbye to his wife. A spinster, shrouded by a shapeless coat, weeps for her sister. A maiden, a large girl, pear-shaped and overly tall, sobs uncontrollably. Forlorn and bereft as her mother is laid to rest.
The clouds darken and heavy drops of rain mingle with the tears on the cheeks of the maiden. Lightning flashes and thunder rent the air. The service at an end, all bar the maiden, scurry for the church and the shelter it offers.
Lightning lights the sky again, but it is not a flash. The maiden, her name is Marjorie, looks up to see the fork of electrical energy frozen in place. There is no thunder either. In fact, silence envelops everything. The rain has stopped too. Literally stopped falling. Individual drops of water hang immobile in the air.
"You've got to admit, it is a good trick."
A new player has entered the scene. Though, gentle reader, he did not walk onto the set. Marjorie looks across the open grave to see a tall and elegant man in a frock coat. He doffs his top hat, smiles, and effortlessly hops across the open grave.
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste."
"Yes, but who are you?"
"What? You didn't get that? Fuck! Still, I suppose it was released in sixty-eight, and you're only twenty-two. I'll have to see about getting a new song out there. Pity, I liked that one."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Lucifer Morningstar, Old Nick, Satan, Beelzebub or... The Devil. I've many names Marge, you though, you lucky thing, can call me... Sir."
"What?"
"I believe that should be, 'what, Sir.'"
"What?"
"I'll let that go, but don't test me, dear... I'm afraid there is a problem with your mother?"
"I beg your pardon."
"Her immortal soul. There is a dispute."
"I don't understand... sir."
"Your mother led a selfless life. She devoted herself to your father. She forsook friends, a career, in fact even happiness. Just to care for your dear crippled dad. For that, she ought to have an express ticket to Heaven."
"Heaven is real?"
"I'm real. If I'm real then Hell is real. If there is a Hell then there must be a Heaven too. Gosh, that means He Who Shall Not Be Named is real too. Now Marjorie dear, try to keep up. I will be asking questions after."
"I... I'm... I'm sorry. This is a bit of a shock."
"I'm sure. I'm pretty vexed too. So, it turns out your mother took her unhappiness out on your dad. She'd dig her nails in when she lifted him. Deliberately let his food go cold. Just petty spiteful things when it all got too much. But it means I get entangled in her fate. This my dear girl is also where you become involved."
"How... sir?"
"I'll waive my claim on your mother if you'll deal with me?"
"What kind of deal, sir."
"A wager for your soul, my dear."
"Do I have to?"
"No, you don't, but this, my precious, is where I tempt you."
"I don't think I'm interested. I've heard of this, it's famous. Faustian is the term I think."
"Doesn't know Jagger, then quotes Goethe, you're an enigma kid. Hear the deal first, then reject it."
"Okay, sir, but I'm not biting. I've seen Bedazzled too."
"Bedazzled!"
"Yes, I'd have to make a selfless wish."
"Well, there you go then, you already know how to win. There's me, bound by convention to stick to the rules. Yet you, granted wisdom beyond your years, by the seers of Hollywood, know how to defeat me. I'm doomed. So want to hear the deal?"
"Umm... It can't hurt to hear I suppose..."
"Good girl, so you get three wishes. Now, this is not like those tales about genies. I'm not looking to foist the first thing you say, 'I wish' upon you. You can hone these wishes, whittle them and adjust. You can get them just so. Then, when you are happy with them, I'll state a price. This price will be a task."
"What sort of task, sir"
"I really don't know, perhaps; never whistle on a Tuesday or keep a shrine to me in your home. It'll depend on your wishes."
"If I take the deal mum goes to Heaven."
"Yes."
"If I take the wishes and do the task, Sir?"
"Your mum goes to heaven, and you, depending on the life you have led, may go too."
"If I fail the task?"