I’d like to try picking up the story from the 6th question’s point of view (exchange of places).
Why does the angelic-faced trickster slam the door behind Jackson but stay out of Hell, himself? Is he escaping? Is Jackson taking his place?
“So long, so long! Finally out. It was just too easy. I’d never thought it would work, a little touch of familiarity, a little taste of serenity, a few tender words, and I’m out! Wonder how long it will take him to lure some fool to trade places with him. Ha! Like that wretch could ever make his life go right! Jack’s son, more like Moron’s son. What a name, funny he certainly never really knew Jack! Whoa, been in that place way too long. Mind going all crazy with all this freedom stuff. But hey, time to celebrate, I’m out and I’m not going back.
“Let’s take a look at what really brought me my rescuer. Well, well, this guy really was a screw-up. Love that youth credo: ‘Better to burn out, than to fade away’, made a nice family of five fade away with ya too there Jackie boy. Could they make them any stupider?? Guess not, but at least he got me outta there.
“What to do first? Where to go? Things must surely have changed in all this time. But then again, it’s all really the same. Things come and go, but people never learn do they? Our boy Jackson truly fit the bill. Repeated the same mistakes over and over again. ‘Gonna change this time, no more recklessness.’ Tell it to his royal majesty of Hell. Might actually make him laugh. Nah, sees Jackson’s type all to often down there. Just some more fuel for his fire. But not me. I’m out.
“Let’s see how long it’ll take Jackson to entice the Devil to come up with a game that lets him trade places with another sap like himself. Felt like it took forever. Maybe it did, but hey, better late than never. I can start over, make a go of it in this here and now. I just need to find another sucker like Jackson to get me started. Shouldn’t be too hard. Isn’t there one born every minute? Maybe Barnum was the Devil in disguise; wouldn’t be too surprised there; he certainly has plenty of them.
“Well, I better get moving before someone comes along and starts asking questions. Best to be as far as possible from this scene. Look, could it be, a cosy looking farmhouse in the distance? Probably a nice old couple there who will take in a poor, cold and hungry stranger for the night.
“Hey, wait a second. Am I gonna fit the part? Better take a look in a mirror or it might not work. Ew! Yeah, I’d say I’d fit the part. All that time down there. Could have left me my good looks! No. No, can’t think like that, then I’ll end up spending too much time remembering the horrors, not that this scene in front of me is any less horrific.
“Whoa, gotta stay positive. I’m on the outside again. Yeah, the outside. Actually alive again. Almost where I left off in fact, alone and broke. Wonder who’s still around. But, wait how long has it really been? Could my Stella still be alive? Wouldn’t it be great. ‘Hi honey I’m home. Your beloved Jack Sr. Sorry about the boy, but he never amounted to anything anyway! Chip off the old block. Guess you were right honey, you always said he was gonna end up just in a place like his daddy. And so he did! Guess he was good for something after all’”
Copyright © 2003 by Bewildering Stories
