Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Satan comes to dinner

I wrote a story opening using a plot summary at the Evil Editor, a contest for the best opening on a given summary. I won!

I don't expect people to click through, even though you should. The challenge was to write the beginning of a story about this (or one of three other similar prompts):

Satan does have a charming side, and Alice fell for it. Telling her parents about her new boyfriend will not be easy.

Here's my winning entry:

"So," Alice's mother said. "You're the enemy of our Lord and Savior." Alice's father had already left the room. Three teacups sat untouched on the coffee table. Alice sat next to Satan on the couch, too nervous to drink.

Satan nodded. "I hope that's not a problem. Lovely decor, by the way." He drank from his cup. "What is this? Flowery Darjeeling? Man, it takes me back!"

Her mother was pinching and twisting her skirt.

"I'm sorry, this is just too ridiculous. I mean, if you are the Devil, why aren't you recoiling before the cross in shame?" Alice's mom pointed at a large, ornate cross on the wall.

"Me? Afraid of the cross?" Satan laughed warmly. "Who do you think put him up there, ma'am?" He took a sip of tea. "Seriously though, I'm not that bad a guy. Mostly I just roam the earth, go back and forth in it, you know."

Alice's father rushed back into the living room, and doused Satan with water. "I adjure you, ancient serpent, by the judge of the living and the dead, by your Creator--"

Satan stood up, wiping off his leather jacket. "Adjure? Is that the Roman Exorcism?" He glanced at Alice and her mom, then started walking around the couch toward Alice's father, who was still chanting. "Sir, trust me. You really don't want to do that."

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm still laughing. Well done!

Anonymous said...

I'm still laughing. Well done!

Dan Lewis said...

Hi Ian! Thanks. Now, to write the next bit.