The Devil was a small weedy man with a harelip. Daniel stared at it out of the corner of his eye while he pretended to read the contract.

“It’s all very standard,” lisped the Devil. When he talked, spit gathered at the corners of his mouth.

“Uh, yes,” said Daniel. “I mean, I’m sure it is. But I want to be careful. It’s my soul.”

The Devil nodded a little too energetically. “Makes sense to me. You’d want to be careful.”

“Uh…,” said Daniel, and forced himself to read more of the form. In the event of Death (accidental) the party of the first part shall relinquish all rights in perpetuity of the Soul. In the event of Death (natural), the party of the first part shall relinquish all rights. Rights then to pass to the party of the second part, without reserve, in whole and entire, in the state then obtaining. Acceptance of the Benefits, in whole or in part, shall constitute an acceptance of the terms of this contract. Acceptance of… The Devil was cleaning his ear, noisily. “Do you mind?”

“Hrm? What?” The Devil looked at the end of his finger like he’d never seen it before. “Oh, sorry.”