THE MOMENT
"Jerry! How've you been?" The spindly, horned demon smiled at Jerry with glowing red eyes. Erica, Jerry's date, was shocked to see her Ex, Randy, in her living room with a demon. Randy was surprised at the demon's friendliness.
"Don't greet him! Kill him!" Randy shouted at red-skinned man. The demon turned and narrowed his eyes at Randy.
"Have you paid me yet?" he asked.
"No, you said when the deal's done," Randy replied defensively; the demon nodded.
"Then, you wait until it's done. I'm catching up with an old friend," he turned back to Jerry and extended a hand. Jerry stepped forward without hesitation and shook it.
"I hoped I'd never see you again," Jerry laughed. "I'm doing good, thanks. So,.. you're going to kill me?"
"Uhh, maybe; nothing personal of course," the demon replied. Jerry nodded with a smile.
"Yeah, I know how that goes."
"What do you mean, 'maybe'?" Randy shouted at the demon.
"What do you mean you know how that goes!?" Erica blurted at Jerry. The demon and Jerry shrugged simultaneously.
"I'll let you explain it," the demon told Jerry. "I think there's a precedent about killing former dealmakers, I'm going to go check on that real quick. Be back in a flash," the demon disappeared with a puff of sour, yellow sulfur.
"Former deal makers?" Erica crossed her arms. "Were you going to tell me about this?" For his part, Randy just grumbled and sat on the couch. Jerry nodded.
"Probably. We've only been on a few dates. You know, 'I made a deal with Hell 15 years ago,' isn't really a light topic." Randy sat up straighter.
"15 years ago?... and you're still alive? What did you get, or better question what did you trade?" Jerry grinned.
"My soul," he said.
"So, you're going to Hell when you do die?" Erica asked. Jerry shook his head; his grin grew into a full broad smile.
"Nope. I gave him my Kia." Randy jumped off the couch.
"YOU CAN DO THAT!????" he shouted. Eager at the fortunate coincidence that he owned a Kia Soul too. Jerry shrugged.
"I did it," he said. "But, it seems like a waste to kill me with what's essentially a free wish."
"What did you ask for?" Erica asked.
"Success," he said.
"Did you get it?" Randy asked.
"I'm alive, my business is doing great, and I'm dating a beautiful woman. If that's not success, I don't know what is."
"I want that!" Randy said; the moment he did, a puff of sulfur flashed.
"Good news!" the demon said, then looked at Jerry. "Sorry, not for you." He turned to Randy. "I can kill him, if you that's what you want to trade your soul for."
"No! I want something else instead. I want success like Jerry's deal! You make me successful and I'll give you my...," Randy couldn't help but chuckle at his own plan. "Soul," he said, then chuckled some more. The demon raised an eyebrow, then looked at Jerry; Jerry winked.
"How wonderful," the demon said. "Thank you, Jerry. I always did like you."
"What're you thanking him for?" Randy asked.
"The entertainment, but nevermind. Let's go discuss our deal elsewhere and leave these two lovebirds alone." With a puff of sulfur, the demon and Randy were gone.
"Anything else I need to know about you?" Erica asked. Jerry nodded.
"Just one I can think of right now. Technically, I've time traveled," he said.