Joe got a job on a fishing boat. It was hard and dangerous work, but the pay was good, even for someone with no experience. At last they could begin to climb out of their financial hole.
Joey's cough became less and less pronounced. "Maybe miracles do happen," Mary said. Local school officials were very welcoming and helpful to the special needs family. They provided discreet, separate lessons and even helped Joe and Mary find a small house in a friendly neighborhood. The neighbors were open and warm, but not intrusive or gossipy. They settled in without fanfare; just another family.
---
“...You WHAT?” Screwtape was screaming at the top of his voice.
“We lost track of them, sir,” Glubwart had to report.
“I want to see you -- both of you -- in my office immediately.”
Within hours Snakefoot and Glubwart were seated in uncomfortable chairs in Screwtape’s waiting room. Medieval scenes of demons and hellish tortures covered the walls, letting the summoned get an inkling of what could await them inside Screwtape’s chambers of horror. Snakefoot and Glubwart knew they were condemned demons. They could feel Screwtape’s talons ripping their flesh.
“I knew we shouldn’t have pushed them too hard,” Snakefoot hissed.
“Don’t try to put all the blame on me,” Glubwart whined.
Screwtape let them stew in their agony of fear. After an interminable period, Desiree Caliente appeared in a low-cut, tight-fitting red dress. “Mr. Screwtape will see you now,” she said. Snakefoot and Glubwart searched her face for some clue to their fate. They found none.
Screwtape's face wore a blank expression. Some of his brash overlings risked his wrath by calling him "inscrewtable." Neither Snakefoot nor Glubwart were in the mood for dangerous puns.
"Have a seat, gentlemen," Screwtape said. "Let's get straight to the point -- both your heads should be rolling around in my stomach right now."
"It was a good plan!" Snakefoot cried. "I found them. This incompetent fool lost them with his meddling."
"Snakefoot's plan was going nowhere," Glubwart interjected. "They were comfortable. They had to be pressured."
"And your 'pressure' pushed them right off the radar, right out of sight! They must be under the Enemy's protection again!"
Screwtape enjoyed watching his cowardly demons try to justify their miserable existence. When he at last grew tired of the back and forth recriminations, he raised his hand. "Enough. You're both incompetent asses, deserving of our master's worst tortures and death. Cold shivers ran down Snakefoot’s and Glubwart’s backs.
After a long, agonizing pause, Screwtape continued. “However, your magnificent, magnanimous underlord has seen fit to grant you wretches undeserved mercy -- contingent, of course, upon MUCH improved performance in the future. You are free to go.”
Stunned, unbelieving their incredible good fortune, Snakefoot and Glubwart shakily got to their feet. They turned to go.
“Just kidding,” Screwtape said quietly. “HeeeHah!” His eerie, raucous laugh sent arctic blasts through their guts. Screwtape’s tentacles shot out and wrapped around Glubwart. His agonized, desperate, blood chilling screams reverberated darkly in Screwtape’s torture cell for days. For amusement and for instruction, Screwtape had the screams piped into the nether regions, so underworld creatures could be reminded what fate awaits those who fail their master. At last Screwtape grew tired of playing with Glubwart. He bit off the terrible demon’s head, then swallowed the rest of him whole. The fun with Glubwart aroused Screwtape so much that he rewarded himself with the pleasure of Desiree Caliente’s lush body.
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