Tales from the Darkside

zizokamal

man lives in the sunlit world of what he

believes to be reality

but there is unseen by most an

underworld a place that is just as real

but not as brightly lit a dark side

masterful that's what it was

no one can dish out humiliation the way

you can touchin the look on Poole's face

when I said foreclosed was absolutely

priceless there's nothing like a good

old public execution is that a shrewd

businessman knows his limits jack and if

he doesn't you'll be very happy to point

them out I'm sure to know the profit

will be so what about my offer a

partnership is gonna be worth millions

provided you buy out sixties I always

succeed Duncan you know that will it be

this time

bribery sex

or a little homicide don't get

sanctimonious with me business is

business your methods are every bit as

brutal as mine just like two scorpions

in the jar eh so what do you say no I

think I'll have to pass this one object

but I may have a better offer for you

like what I'll tell you ten o'clock

tonight we're making a surprise I hate

surprises

what did you say I'll give you a million

for it

a million for what your soul jack your

soul I said I'll give you a million

dollars for all the rights to your

eternal soul so that's your little

surprise have another drink old man I

think you're needed mm you don't make

that shot

don't be a fool Duncan there's no such

thing as a soul well he won't mind

selling yours to me million you ever

made soul I haven't even thought of the

word since I was a kid in Sunday school

3000 on the next shot

you know in 15 years of our Friday

nights I've never known Jack Layton to

back off a sure thing back off me well

here I am offering you a clear million

for the rights to your non-existent soul

and you are reminiscing about Sunday

school has my old atheist friends

suddenly gotten religion nonsense

EE nothing all right

you know the way you're losing you could

use that extra million it's cold in here

or is it just me more cognacs ah Thank

You Richardson would you mind turning

the heat up a little please mrs. Wayne

seems to be kissing a bit of a chill

right away what do you mean by that

sorry Oh liberties you think I have one

foot in the grave don't you I know you

Duncan

there's a trick buried somewhere in this

offer I'm just trying to make a point

if you clearly believe this no such

thing as a soul whether you won't mind

selling yours to me won't be the first

time you made a profit on non-existent

property

all right Duncan I'll go along with your

little charade I think you're getting

senile but I always say when there's a

weakness capitalize on it well good good

that's the Jack Blaine I know it admire

decides another million won't kill me

well then I'll have that contract drawn

up and you can sign it on Friday Friday

you're crazy you know that perhaps do my

next million to your soul

you

yeah okay well how about a little 8-ball

before you sell me a soul would you mind

if we got to the business at hand I I'm

not feeling too well tonight well that's

not very sportsmanlike but as you wish

let's see oh here's the good part within

24 hours of the demise of one John see

Blaine all rights to his eternal soul

shall thereafter become the exclusive

property of one duncan oliver williams

in consideration they're out mr williams

hereafter referred to as buyer agrees to

deposit to the accounts of mr. blaine

hereafter referred to as seller the sum

of 1 million US dollars immediately upon

execution of this contract if the buyer

should die before taking possession of

said soul the contract shall be

considered no and void if however oh no

this is the important project

if however buyer should meet death at

the hands of foul play of any kind

all monies shall be returned to buyers

estate with highest interest allowed by

current law your idea no doubt

just a precaution jack I remembered your

old partner Jeff responds a suicide

fine fine

as you said Duncan easiest million I

ever made

Jack this isn't unpleasant surprise I

hope you don't mind my dropping by like

this it couldn't wait till Friday no

thank you

I had a sobering visit with my doctor

this morning your liver

yes well have a drink he gives me one

maybe two months never list the quacks

Jack they had this whole ticket giving

out years ago and look at me I must mean

as ever Duncan I'd like to discuss this

little game we've been playing too

well the contract you know what I mean