The Devil You Know - Episode V

WHAT’S GONE BEFORE: In Episode IV Videl explains the difference between the soul and the human spirit.

“Those tales of human souls suffering an eternity in Hell are just myths perpetuated by religious leaders to keep the flocks in line. It’s true that human spirits have descended into Hades; but those belong to humans unfortunate enough to lead”—Videl gently rocked his head from side to side as if it were on a pivot—“less than exemplary lives.”

Artwork credit: Matt Ryan

“What’s to stop you from reneging on any deal and just snatching my soul?” challenged Barney.

Videl sighed. “I have to abide by certain rules. I cannot snatch a soul unbidden. There are protocols to follow, which is why I require the client to willingly donate their soul. This is facilitated by an EEA—Even Exchange Agreement.”

“Okay.” Barney paused. “I know what you want. What do I get?”

“I can guarantee that you will not have to endure another minute in this school and you will attend M.I.T.,” said Videl.

“You said attend M.I.T. I want to enroll and graduate from M.I.T.”

Videl raised an eyebrow and seemed reflective. “Fine, you’ll attend and graduate from M.I.T. All you have to do is sign an EEA and”—he waited a half beat before continuing—“being a minor, get your mother’s signature as well.”

Barney let out a long exhalation. “Even if I were to agree to your deal, my mom never would.”

“Well, don’t be too hasty. I can be very persuasive.”

“I don’t want her hurt.”

“I will not harm your mother in any fashion,” avowed Videl. “Now, go about your day and we’ll finish our business later.”

Barney turned and placed his hand on the door handle. “I’ve still got to face Dirk.”

“He won’t be an issue. Consider it a show of good faith,” said Videl.

“Him you can hurt.” There was no reply; Videl had vanished. Barney hesitated a moment before slowly opening the door. He stared at a row of lockers. He stepped into the hall and realized he was across from his own locker, his jacket still in a heap on the floor. He spun around but there was no sign of a bathroom door, only a solid string of lockers.

The rest of his day was a fog as Barney struggled to make sense of his encounter with . . . with what? he thought. Do I honestly believe I met the Devil?

Nonetheless, his day proceeded without incident. Videl stayed true to his word; Barney did not see Dirk or his boys anywhere. In fact, no one had seen them since they had chased after Barney.

Barney arrived home from school that afternoon and entered through the kitchen, as he always did, expecting to find a snack set out by his mother. However, today the kitchen was empty.

“Mom,” he called.

Artwork Credit: Matt Ryan

He heard a lilting reply from a woman’s voice that sounded very much like his mother. “Bar-ney! I’m in the living room.”

When Barney had left for school that morning, his mother looked her usual self: hair in a tight bun on the back of her head, a white blouse buttoned to the neck, a skirt hemmed just below the knees, and a pair of sensible loafers. But, there reclined his mother, hair cascading about her shoulders, blouse loosened three buttons, shoeless, feet propped on the coffee table.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

“Celebrating, silly,” sang Mary. “Mr. Videl, your new school administrator, stopped by this afternoon. Looks like you’re going to M.I.T. I already signed the consent form. Come sit with me and have a glass of sparkling cider.”

Barney gave a blank stare, but sat next to his mother on the couch.

END – EPISODE V

Mom seems to be on board but can Barney trust Videl? Come back next week, same bat time same bat channel.

The Devil You Know - Episode IV

WHAT’S GONE BEFORE: In Episode III Barney learns the true nature of the mysterious Videl.

This is nuts. There’s a logical explanation, he thought. I’m knocked out. Yeah, that’s it. Dirk beat me into a coma and I’m in a hospital bed.

“You aren’t in a hospital bed,” stated Videl.

Barney screamed. “Get out of my thoughts.”

Artwork Credit: Matt Ryan

“Not my fault,” countered Videl. “Normally humans’ thoughts are a closed book, but when you’re under extreme duress, all that changes. Your acute emotional outburst is like a beacon, a beacon I can’t ignore, a beacon drawing me to you.”

Barney trembled. This is scientifically impossible. “This is an illusion. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but given enough time I could figure it out,” he reasoned.

Videl crossed to Barney and said, “Need more proof?” Before Barney could react, Videl snatched Barney’s spectacles and smashed them.

Barney’s voice went up an octave. “What did you do? How am I supposed to see?”

“You don’t need them,” said Videl.

Barney hesitated. He looked around the room. For the first time in his short life, his vision was perfect. He began to consider the possibility that Videl was telling the truth. “So what do you want from me?”

“You’re the genius, figure it out.”

Barney hesitated. “My soul . . . you want my soul. In what universe would I ever agree to do that?”

Videl leaned against the sink and crossed his arms over his chest. “You called me. You said you’d do anything to get out of this school.”

“Almost anything,” said Barney, “but I never spoke it aloud.”

“Intent’s the same. Look,” pressed Videl, “you’ve got something I want and I can provide something you want. Everybody wins.” Videl paused and exhaled slightly. “Do you believe in God?”

The question was unexpected and it puzzled Barney. Religion hadn’t been much of a presence in the Midas home. His mother had never taken Barney to Sunday school, catechism or any religious function. He realized he didn’t know if he was Christian, Jewish... Am I an atheist? he pondered.

To Videl he asked, “What does it matter?”

“It doesn’t. But if theology were the issue; if”—Videl made air quotes—“dealing with the Devil goes against your religious beliefs, I can understand your angst.

“However, you need to understand that humans mistakenly equate the human soul with the human spirit. It is the spirit that houses the human consciousness, not the soul. The soul isn’t the manifestation of some religious tenet, it’s just an energy force”—Videl emphasized—“the generator of the human body and as such contains a reservoir of energy and we both know energy can be neither created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed from one state to another.”

Videl continued, “There is no connection between the consciousness and the soul. The soul’s just a vast store of potential energy that cannot disappear— Videl mouthed POOF—“just because the human body has ceased to function. It is this energy that we harness and refine to keep the fires of Hades aflame.

“Those tales of human souls suffering an eternity in Hell are just myths perpetuated by religious leaders to keep the flocks in line. It’s true that human spirits have descended into Hades; but those belong to humans unfortunate enough to lead”—Videl gently rocked his head from side to side as if it were on a pivot—“less than exemplary lives.”

END – EPISODE IV

Ya gotta admit, the guy is smooth, but can he convince our little genius? Check back next week.

The Devil You Know - Episode III

WHAT’S GONE BEFORE: In Episode II Barney escapes the jocks’ wrath and meets a janitor who says he can help Barney get to MIT.

***

“But, your mom won’t let you go.” Videl looked at the ceiling and tapped his chin with his index and middle fingers. “What would you say if I told you I could help you with that?”

“You’re just a janitor,” scoffed Barney.

“You, of all people, should know looks can be deceiving. Let’s, for the sake of argument, say I have . . . connections.”

Artwork Credit: Matt Ryan

Videl extended a hand and helped Barney to his feet. He guided him to a sink and stood behind him. Barney set his glasses on the porcelain, rinsed his face and patted his cheeks dry with a paper towel. He looked in the mirror and inspected his blurry reflection. He squinted but didn’t see Videl’s image in the mirror. “Where’d you go?” he queried.

“Right behind you,” purred Videl.

Barney turned and there stood the fuzzy janitor, less than two feet away. He spun and checked the mirror; no Videl. He nearly poked out an eye fumbling to put on his glasses. With his eyesight restored, he gazed in the reflective glass but saw only himself.

“What’s going on? How’re you doing that?”

“I’m not doing anything. It’s the natural order of things. I don’t have a reflection. I don’t cast a shadow and I cannot be captured on film.”

“That’s impossible! There’s a scientific explanation,” reasoned Barney.

“Not everything can be explained,” countered Videl.

“Really?” Barney turned his back against the sink. “So what are you, a vampire?” His query dripped with sarcasm.

“There are no such things as vampires,” said Videl. “What I am is the one who can make all your dreams come true.”

Barney scoffed. “And you think Dirk is overreaching. You’ve got a nice little God complex going there.”

Videl chuckled. “Not God, definitely not God; quite the opposite.”

“Oh, what then, the Devil?” asked Barney. I’m clearly conversing with a person who should be on antipsychotics, he thought.

“Ding, ding, ding,” chimed Videl. “Give the lad a prize. Tell him what he’s won.” Videl wrapped his right arm around Barney’s left shoulder and pulled him tight to his body. Barney twitched but was unable to wriggle loose. Videl waved his left hand in a grand gesture. “That’s right, Boy; I’m Satan, Beelzebub, Old Cloots. And I’m here to grant you whatever your heart most desires.” He paused for effect. “You want M.I.T. You got M.I.T.”

“You’re nuts! Let me go.” Barney squirmed, but Videl had his arms pinned to his sides and he lacked the strength to break free. “Help, help me,” he yelled.

“Scream, yell, do whatever you want, no one will hear you,” goaded Videl. “You want to leave?” He relaxed his grip on Barney.

Barney rushed for the door and yanked it open. Before he could take another step, he was hit with the heat of a thousand blast furnaces. Confused, he slammed the door shut. That much heat, would at the very least, cause the door handle to glow red hot, but it was cool to the touch. He cracked the door but the heat was so intense, he could only keep it open for a brief second.

This is nuts. There’s a logical explanation, he thought. I’m knocked out. Yeah, that’s it. Dirk beat me into a coma and I’m in a hospital bed.

END – EPISODE III

Is Barney dreaming? Only Patrick Duffy knows for certain. See you next week.