THE MOMENT
Ernest jumped to his feet as soon as he spotted the red smoke. He'd been waiting almost two hours for Lucifer's return. The sweet scent of candy cinnamon hit his nose as the cloud bloomed wider, then dissipated. When it cleared, a short, round, ruddy blonde man stood in Ernest's living room with a smile on his face.
"Great news, Ernie," Lucifer said. "Your deal has been approved. You even set a precedent with this little stunt of yours, you opened all kinds of doors for variety in future deals." Lucifer gave Ernest a red clipboard loaded with a white form.
"New precedent, huh?" Ernest grinned as he signed the form. "That get me any bonuses?" Lucifer accepted the clipboard but shook his head.
"Just the good feelings of helping your fellow man of the future," he said.
"Meh. It's something, I guess..," Ernie said.
"Great, so, .. when can I start?" Lucifer chuckled.
"Ms. Sharp's Hell is an after life," Lucifer said. "When do you think?"
"Oh...," Ernest nodded to himself. It should've been an obvious answer. But, then, he realized something. "..OH!" he said as a smile spread across his face. He realized how much free time he had now.
"Contract's final, right?" he asked to double-check. "It's already in effect?" Lucifer nodded.
"After you die, you will go straight to hell for 999 billion years. Upon completion of the last year, your soul will be freed from Hell," the rotund man said. Then, he offered Ernest a handshake before leaving.
"Congratulations again; your the first person to negotiate your own soul out of Hell. And, even before you got there," he said. Ernest accepted the handshake and chuckled.
"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for me."