“Yeah, so you’re in hell.”
That made a little bit more sense. Looking around, I couldn’t help but notice the burning pits of fire, screaming agony, and overall atmosphere that one might associate with what hell would be like. Satan, in front of me, waved his cartoonishly large pitchfork and used his dark red hand to stroke his goatee, “Are you sure you don’t have any other questions?”
I scratched my head. I didn’t really remember dying and whatnot, so maybe I was blessed with a quick, painless death. That was a relief. And hell instead of heaven? I’m sure I did something wrong to hurt someone without knowing at some point. Who doesn’t end up in hell these days? We’re practically tantalized with bad decision making. It’s just too easy!
“When does the…” I move my hands to gesture towards the overall hell-ish environment we were both standing in, “whole thing start?” The devil smirked.
Magically, an acoustic guitar appeared into Satan’s hands. Behind him, a large bar materialized. It was packed. A neon sign with the words “Open Mic Tonight” glimmered through the window sill.
He handed me the guitar, and I knew what my task was. I made my way towards the stage, taking my place behind the microphone. I started to play. First a C chord, then an Am. Then back again. After a few measures, I started to sing. Just whatever came to mind. The music runs through my soul.
What was the point? I loved to play guitar, and I loved to sing. All I could feel was pride and satisfaction, I was making music for the people around me to not only listen—-but enjoy. First there was silence, and then there wasn’t. Music is powerful.
Then, Satan walked to the front of the stage and started to talk, completely ignoring the audience behind him. The passersby in the bar didn’t notice, they were too busy watching me. It was as if Satan had emerged, and existed for me and for me only.
“What I said in the beginning was the bad news,” he started to glow, “the good news is that you aren’t here to be punished.”
Satan stopped. I kept on strumming.
“You are the punishment.”