First, let’s keep in mind that all this happened in the winter of 2018. We are not talking about a recent event.
Which inexplicably leads me to my next point, which is really a question; actually, a set of related questions; to wit:
I mean, how can The Devil – styled here as one Nick Scratch Hiss-Elf, Esq., PhD, acronymically pronounced en-sheep-ed, which strikes me as an intentional and necessarily ill-willed inversion of the notion of being a sheep in the flock belonging to the Lamb of God – be telling Zamazda the truth about the people in Section A of the plane?
What would The Devil’s motivation for doing so be? After all, he is the father of lies.
A schizophrenic Nash equilibrium-type breakthrough is what’s needed for this one; and maybe if I had a drink, or two, I’d come up with one, or even two, answers – and pretty much right away.
But nowadays, well, when you’re on the wagon, and when you’re on it for a long, long time, sort of standing up, and on one leg, hopping up and down on the toes of your foot and looking down as the wheels hit the ruts and the rocks, trying not to lose your balance and topple yourself off, well, coming to an answer on just about anything, it takes a while… and it’s not as much fun.
Or… this may not be The Devil at all. But if it’s not, then who is it?
Furthermore, a look at the byline shows us, at least on the surface, that this is the work of Saint Stephan. Well, Stephan wouldn’t lie to us, so if we only go by that, then this is indeed The Devil, who is indeed telling Zippy the truth. But then that returns us to the question: Why?
Unless the author of this frame is not Saint Stephan at all. But, if it’s not by Stephan, then who’s it by? And without even answering that question, what would be the motivation(s) of the real author to sign the piece as Stephan?
Perhaps the author is The Devil Hisself, and The Devil in the story is actually meant as a stand-in for Saint Stephan – and therefore yet another devilish and ill-willed inversion.
But then, having The Devil Hisself for an author would make everything in the story a lie, unless it is the truth. But then that again brings us back to: Why?
So, Saint Stephan cannot be a stand-in for The Devil in the story, but is, in fact, actually its author, or is at least far more likely to be its author than anyone else. And if that’s true, then everything in the story is also true.
But if that’s the case, and The Devil tells Zamazda the truth, then that again returns us to the question: Why?
Me – I get the feeling he’s doing it because he thinks he can afford to. Given the imminent situation unfolding, and at hand, The Devil reckons he’s got nothing to lose by telling Zippy the truth.
Because he’s already lost everything.
Hey, Saint Stephan, is that it? Is that how this goes? Part, after part, after part… I mean, what’s the point? What are you trying to say? How much longer will this go on? Why is none of this clear by now? What are you driving at?
Maybe, Stephi boy, you’re simply not that good a “writer”… Never were. And if past is prologue, never will be.
Signed, Jack Step
Response:
Hey, Jackoff (alias, Not A Writer Is My Middle Name)? First you start out on my side, only to viciously turn on me in the end. What’s your fucking problem? Better have a drink and call it a day.
Signed, Saint Stephan.
And, yes, the story’s by me; and, yes, it really is The Devil.