It was an
open bar and
everyone
was carrying
a little buzz
by the time
they stumbled
to their seats.

The Devil
broke the tension
by entertaining
everyone
with a joke.
What's brown and
sticky?
the Devil asked.

Everyone
gasped and looked
awkwardly
at God who
was frowning
and who like
everyone else
anticipated a foul
answer.

A stick, the Devil
said innocently,
and the entire
table roared
in delight.

You've got
a good sense of
humour, God said.
I don't know why
I never
liked you.
God patted
the Devil's shoulder
affectionately.
I don't know either,
said the Devil.
I think it
might have had
something to do
with bad
beheviour.

God nodded
in agreement,
and then, in
a split second,
the Devil turned
everyone
to dust.

This weekend
I'm going to
rock out, he said.

Good for you,
I said. I'm planning
to kill myself.

Really? Why?

Because
I don't want to live
anymore.
Living is a big waste
of my time.
I've got better things
to do.

What could you
possibly have to do
besides living?
he asked.

Oh, lots of things, I said.
Reincarnation
for one, and
being an angel.
Being
an angel
keeps you really
busy.

I don't think
I'm going to heaven,
he said.
You're lucky if you think
you're ending up
there.

I guess I am lucky.

Then he said:
Have a
good weekend.