GOD, in the
form of a man dressed in a white seersucker suit, holds a white umbrella and walks
toward SATAN, also in the form of a man wearing a black tuxedo, carrying a
black umbrella.
GOD
You’re early. That’s a first.
You’re early. That’s a first.
SATAN
I wouldn’t want to be late for our meeting.
I wouldn’t want to be late for our meeting.
GOD
So … what’s with the tux?
So … what’s with the tux?
SATAN
I’m celebrating. It will be nice to have people worship me instead of despise me for a change.
I’m celebrating. It will be nice to have people worship me instead of despise me for a change.
GOD
(under his breath)
Don’t get your hopes up. A lot of people despise me.
(under his breath)
Don’t get your hopes up. A lot of people despise me.
SATAN
Okay, let’s get down to business. The swap won’t be for too long, just a thousand years this time. You can do whatever you want.
Okay, let’s get down to business. The swap won’t be for too long, just a thousand years this time. You can do whatever you want.
GOD
Really? You’re not going to micromanage me again? None of this “Don’t make anything worse than it already is”?
Really? You’re not going to micromanage me again? None of this “Don’t make anything worse than it already is”?
SATAN
Worse? You’re talking to me about worse? Ha! That’s rich.
Worse? You’re talking to me about worse? Ha! That’s rich.
GOD
Well, what is your plan, exactly?
Well, what is your plan, exactly?
SATAN
Come on, G, I reread the contract and you know I don’t have to give you specifics.
Come on, G, I reread the contract and you know I don’t have to give you specifics.
GOD
Sure, Satan, I know. I was just asking out of curiosity.
Sure, Satan, I know. I was just asking out of curiosity.
SATAN
I’m going to have fun with it. Some good people are going to win the lottery. A few diseases are going to go away.
I’m going to have fun with it. Some good people are going to win the lottery. A few diseases are going to go away.
GOD
You’re not as sinister as I thought.
You’re not as sinister as I thought.
SATAN
You?
You?
GOD
Well, the people that really deserve to be punished and not forgiven, they’re going to be punished.
Well, the people that really deserve to be punished and not forgiven, they’re going to be punished.
SATAN
Ouch. Well, you do what you gotta do.
Ouch. Well, you do what you gotta do.
GOD
(laughs)
I will. I’m looking forward to it.
(laughs)
I will. I’m looking forward to it.
SATAN
Can you take it easy on the natural disasters though? If I’m playing God, I don’t want to get blamed for that.
Can you take it easy on the natural disasters though? If I’m playing God, I don’t want to get blamed for that.
GOD
Who’s micromanaging whom?
Who’s micromanaging whom?
SATAN
Come on, you know what I mean.
Come on, you know what I mean.
GOD
We’ll see.
We’ll see.
SATAN
Is there anything else I should know?
Is there anything else I should know?
GOD
(reaches in pocket)
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Here are the keys to the other galaxies. You might need to hire some people.
(reaches in pocket)
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Here are the keys to the other galaxies. You might need to hire some people.
********