Horror and tension are the theme of this rerun, in case you didn’t get enough of those items this week–or maybe because you have.
Today I proudly bring one of the oldest stories in the vault out for a second appearance. Other than proudly, I also do it cautiously, never turning me back to it for an instant.
Diane M. Dickson’s The Bargain is yet another shade in her spectrum which ranges from whimsy, humor, reality and every shade of gray until it gives over to extreme darkness.
Q: There is a great mounting unease in this story. How long did it take to achieve the satisfactory effect?
Q: Unless you are Daniel Webster this sort of thing always turns out badly. You are even told that upon signing the agreement. Do you believe that most people would agree to terms anyway, if it were real, even deliberately overlooking the strong possibility that the existence of the Devil infers that of God?
***
Q: There is a great mounting unease in this story. How long did it take to achieve the satisfactory effect?
Thank you. As with most of my scribbling I can’t take credit. it’s the Muse – bless her – I just let it happen. Now and then I fine tune but it either works or it doesn’t and that decides its future. For whatever reason this one made it through. Thank you for choosing it – it’s abit grim, isn’t it?
Q: Unless you are Daniel Webster this sort of thing always turns out badly. You are even told that upon signing the agreement. Do you believe that most people would agree to terms anyway, if it were real, even deliberately overlooking the strong possibility that the existence of the Devil infers that of God?
I believe that greed is the greatest evil in this world be it greed for wealth or power or just time and beauty, success of course and admiration. All fleeting things but I’m afraid that there are more people who would sign than those who would not. The future is far away, isn’t it and you will always be able to fix things even if that might mean suddenly ‘discovering’ another greater power!
literally stories 
Diane–
Thank you for your replies. May your Muse never betray you.
Leila
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The gradual reveal was well-done and kept me guessing as the story breathes fresh life and imagination into a common theme. Thanks for re-running this early LS story.
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thank you David for such a kind comment
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Hi Leila,
Your usual insightful questions that always get the best out of the writer!!
Diane, it’s always a delight to re-visit your work.
Your answers are always well thought out and enlightening.
I can’t believe that the site was only five days old when we first saw this.
Thanks to both of you!!
Hugh
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