Outsmarting the Devil: A Supernatural Faustian Horror Podcast "Iron Clad Contract"

0:08 Speaker 1: Hey guys, it's Crimson! If you enjoy these, please hit that like button and share with your friends!

0:28 Speaker 2: With this key, you unlock the world to your dreams. What lies beyond could be The doorway to nightmare. Come in. Welcome. I'm your host. through the doorway to nightmare. The author Stanley Victor Apostovich wrote, I've heard many say, I'll sell my soul to the devil in hopes of gaining money, power, or fame. Why do they think that they have that much worth over any other person? And the devil, if there is one, wouldn't simply wait for them to condemn themselves on their own.

1:43 Speaker 3: This is a one-time offer which terminates almost immediately.

1:49 Speaker 4: I must be stoned, man.

1:51 Speaker 3: You ain't real. I assure you that I am very real. You said you want to be the greatest musician alive. I can make that possible. All it takes is a simple signature.

2:11 Speaker 2: Our mystery drama, Ironclad Contract, was written especially for Doorway to Nightmare by Winslow Swan and Crimson McKenzie and stars Crimson McKenzie, Robert Jackson, and Winslow Swan. It is sponsored in part by Swanage Press. I'll be back shortly with Act One. The story is a rather old one. A person who wants something so badly that they are willing to sell their soul to the devil to attain it. Ah, the devil. That fallen angel who tempts and promises treasure beyond our wildest imagination. But for what price?

3:38 Speaker 4: Oh, wow, man.

3:39 Speaker 3: We really rocked it tonight.

3:41 Speaker 4: Man, that was freaking awesome.

3:44 Speaker 5: Do you really think so, Philbin? You honestly can stand there. Look me in the eye. And say that we were awesome?

3:50 Speaker 4: Hey, hey, Dave. Come on, man. We were hot.

3:53 Speaker 5: Can you open your eyes all the way and say that? Yeah, well, me and the others don't think so. I mean, what is wrong with you?

4:00 Speaker 4: Hey, man. I'm great. Maybe you and the others should start maybe backing me up a little better.

4:09 Speaker 5: We have been for the past three years. You've been stuck in this dive, not going anywhere, and you... You've been getting worse.

4:18 Speaker 4: Oh, yeah? Well, that's a load of crap and you know it.

4:21 Speaker 5: No, Philbin. You're a load of crap. The guys have been thinking about replacing you.

4:26 Speaker 4: Replacing? Me? But it's my band! I'm the lead, baby. The number one guy.

4:33 Speaker 5: You were number one. At one time. You've been getting sloppy. Coming in drunk or high. Missing chords. Forgetting entire verses to songs. It's gotta stop.

4:53 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, Dave, you ain't been exactly playing up to par either. Who am I kidding? He's right.

5:06 Speaker 2: They're all right.

5:12 Speaker 4: I swear, I would sell my soul if I could just be the greatest musician alive.

5:23 Speaker 6: Why not?

5:24 Speaker 4: Hey, who are you? How did you get in here? Ugh, what is that smell?

5:32 Speaker 3: Sorry, the Brimstone sort of thing, Gus. You said that you wanted to be the greatest musician alive. Well, here I am.

5:41 Speaker 4: Yeah, so what are you, some kind of an agent?

5:44 Speaker 3: I am much more than a mere agent. I can make it all possible for you. Of course, you need a lot of work, a lot of practice.

5:52 Speaker 4: You mean you just can't snap your fingers and make it all happen?

5:57 Speaker 3: Oh, you watch way too many movies. The ability is already in you. We just have to bring it to the surface.

6:03 Speaker 4: Alright, so what do I have to do?

6:06 Speaker 3: Everything that I have said and bore is all here in this contract.

6:15 Speaker 4: Looks like the book they send out for Medicare.

6:18 Speaker 3: Read it carefully, then sign it in blood.

6:21 Speaker 4: Oh, and there it is. So you must be the devil.

6:28 Speaker 3: Did the trademark smell of brimstone not give it away? I go by many names. For the time being, you may call me Mr.

6:37 Speaker 2: Tobias.

6:39 Speaker 4: You know, you don't have a whole lot of luck with musicians. I sort of remember another... We do.

6:46 Speaker 3: Not disgusted.

6:49 Speaker 4: Okay, okay. Chill. So, uh, what do I get for signing this?

6:56 Speaker 3: Everything you want. You will be successful beyond your wildest dreams. However, there is a time limit.

7:03 Speaker 4: Really? How long?

7:06 Speaker 3: I will give you, hmm, ten years?

7:08 Speaker 4: Yeah, ten years.

7:10 Speaker 3: After which, I will come and collect my payment.

7:14 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, that's, uh, That's real tempting, but, uh.

7:20 Speaker 3: Remember, you called me. And you will have to work very hard to achieve your greatness.

7:25 Speaker 4: Okay, man, I tell you what. How about we make a little wager? Ooh.

7:36 Speaker 3: You intrigue me, Philbin. What sort of wager do you propose?

7:41 Speaker 1: No, no, no, no, no. Just get a stupid signature. Why does everything have to be a game with you? Just get the signature and leave. Is that so hard?

7:51 Speaker 3: But Philbin intrigues me. Oh, now please, Philbin, tell me of this wager that you are thinking of.

7:58 Speaker 4: Okay, okay. You're supposed to be this all-powerful demon, right?

8:05 Speaker 3: Well, within certain limits.

8:07 Speaker 4: Okay, so if in ten years I can come up with something, say, physical... that you can't do, you forfeit the contract.

8:19 Speaker 3: Hmm, something physical.

8:24 Speaker 4: Is it a deal?

8:26 Speaker 1: I'm done. I am so done. Go on, take the stupid bet.

8:30 Speaker 3: If you're so worried, Miss Lilith, then you can be Philpins' agent.

8:36 Speaker 1: Oh, no. You're not going to do that to me again. I thought handling Mozart was bad. And then there was Hoss Greeley, the country singer. And now you want me to handle this.

8:47 Speaker 3: this.

8:47 Speaker 4: toad? Hey, let's not get personal. Enough!

8:51 Speaker 3: I accept your....

8:56 Speaker 6: Challenge.

8:58 Speaker 2: Now.

9:00 Speaker 6: Silence.

9:07 Speaker 2: As someone once said, The devil does not come in a red cape with pointy ears and a long tail. He comes as everything that you could ever wish for. Why don't you come back for act two? Philbin has signed a contract that includes a small wager. It has now been three years since Mr. Tobias entered into a deal with the rock singer Philbin.

10:32 Speaker 5: Man, I cannot believe that crowd.

10:34 Speaker 1: You just had to change the bass line.

10:36 Speaker 4: Didn't you? Yeah, but it made it better though, didn't it? I think you're trying to kill me. Ten minute drum solo? My arms are killing me.

10:44 Speaker 5: At least your guitar playing has gotten better.

10:47 Speaker 3: Did you have burritos tonight?

10:49 Speaker 4: Only food I know of.

10:51 Speaker 2: That's what that smell was. Uh, yeah.

10:55 Speaker 4: Sorry about that, wild child.

10:56 Speaker 2: Dude, do you not realize these drums are weapons?

10:59 Speaker 4: If you do that in front of my set one more time, I'm going to use them. Oh, come on. It didn't smell that bad.

11:06 Speaker 5: Is that why the first row passed out?

11:10 Speaker 1: So, you think that was a good show?

11:13 Speaker 4: Didn't you? You know, Miss Lilith, you've been riding us for like three years now. We just sold out a.

11:20 Speaker 1: A 200-seat club. Big deal. I told you to step it up.

11:25 Speaker 5: We did step it up.

11:26 Speaker 6: A notch.

11:28 Speaker 1: Not one lousy notch. Get Philbin and me a minute, will you guys?

11:38 Speaker 4: Hey, Miss Lilith, don't you think.

11:40 Speaker 1: Not one word. I need your A-game tomorrow night. I need you to step it up a thousand notches.

11:49 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, what's so special about tomorrow night?

11:51 Speaker 1: Brian Jackson from KGM Records is going to be here.

11:54 Speaker 4: Wait, wait, the golden ear himself?

11:56 Speaker 1: Well, he's under contract, too. Anyway, I played him your demo. He wants to see you guys live.

12:03 Speaker 4: Have you already told the others?

12:05 Speaker 1: Hell no. And don't you say anything either. The contract was with you, not them.

12:10 Speaker 2: Hey, wait a minute.

12:11 Speaker 4: I mean, they are my band.

12:13 Speaker 1: Then say goodbye to them. When Brian hears you, he is going to want to sign only you, not them.

12:20 Speaker 4: Well, that stinks.

12:23 Speaker 1: Hey, you wanted to be the greatest musician alive. Tomorrow night, You get your chance. Don't screw it up.

12:37 Speaker 3: Don't leave your promises.

12:46 Speaker 6: Don't leave the truth.

13:02 Speaker 1: You call that playing? I've heard better playing in a grammar school band.

13:08 Speaker 3: 12 million sold and you think that is.

13:16 Speaker 2: Good?

13:24 Speaker 1: You better do something or your soul is going to be sold. Your next album will be hitting the bargain bin the second day out. I don't care if you sold out to Shea Stadium. If the next single doesn't hit big, you are finished.

14:01 Speaker 4: Gonna keep your face in that newspaper all night?

14:04 Speaker 1: Yep.

14:06 Speaker 4: Oh, you mean you're not gonna ride me like you've been doing?

14:09 Speaker 6: Nope.

14:13 Speaker 2: Okay.

14:14 Speaker 4: So what did I do wrong now?

14:17 Speaker 1: Nothing.

14:18 Speaker 4: What is going on with you?

14:20 Speaker 1: You really don't know. That is one thing I will not miss.

14:28 Speaker 4: Sorry, burritos again.

14:29 Speaker 2: Jeez.

14:32 Speaker 1: Will you please open the window? And I thought brimstone smelled bad.

14:39 Speaker 4: There, is that better?

14:40 Speaker 1: It will have to do.

14:41 Speaker 4: So what is up with you?

14:43 Speaker 1: You really don't know.

14:45 Speaker 4: No, I really don't know. Why don't you tell me?

14:47 Speaker 1: At midnight tonight, I will finally be rid of you.

14:51 Speaker 4: Hey, wait a minute. It hasn't been ten years. It's only been seven.

14:54 Speaker 1: Ten years from the day you signed the contract. And it's about five minutes to midnight. Hope you've enjoyed your run.

15:02 Speaker 4: Now, wait a minute. I didn't sign the contract with the music label until three years after I signed with Tobias.

15:10 Speaker 1: You humans will never learn. You think that you make the rules? We make sure that you adhere to them.

15:33 Speaker 2: Philbin sits down heavily, waiting for what will happen in the next few minutes. Lilith smiles as she waits for her employer, Mr. Tobias. And you should wait for me to return with Act 3.

15:49 Speaker 6: Act 3.

16:08 Speaker 2: Henry Ward Beecher once wrote that all men are tempted, provided that it is the right temptation and the right time.

16:51 Speaker 1: Thank the lower region.

16:52 Speaker 3: It is time, Mr.

16:55 Speaker 6: Philpin.

16:57 Speaker 4: Now, wait a minute. Wait, wait just a minute. It hasn't been ten years.

17:00 Speaker 3: Ten years from the date that you signed the contract.

17:04 Speaker 4: But that's not fair. I worked my butt off for three years before....

17:10 Speaker 1: You humans! A deal is a deal. Is it our fault that you had to work for three years? Well, is it?

17:17 Speaker 6: Ugh.

17:19 Speaker 4: No, I guess not.

17:21 Speaker 3: Then are you ready to go?

17:25 Speaker 4: Wait a minute, wait, wait a minute. Don't forget about our little wager.

17:29 Speaker 1: I was so hoping he wouldn't remember.

17:33 Speaker 4: Hey, like you said, a deal is a deal.

17:36 Speaker 2: Fine.

17:36 Speaker 3: As I recall, you were to give me a physical task of which I could not perform.

17:42 Speaker 2: So, Mr.

17:43 Speaker 3: Philbin, what is this task?

17:46 Speaker 4: Oh, let me ask you something first. This is a pretty big world we live on. Is there anywhere on this planet that you have never been?

17:55 Speaker 6: Mr.

17:59 Speaker 3: Philbin, I was here when the words, let there be light, were uttered. I have been to the deepest and darkest corners of Africa. I have been to the frozen tundra. There is not the slightest bit of earth that I have not read.

18:13 Speaker 4: So, you know, I guess everyone in the world.

18:18 Speaker 3: I know the hearts and souls of everyone. I simply wait for them. Some, like you, call me. Others, I seek out.

18:28 Speaker 4: So you are known everywhere. And there is nowhere on this earth that you do not know or have not been.

18:35 Speaker 6: I told you! I am the Dark Angel, the all-powerful ruler of the underworld. I have been everywhere. There is nothing and no one that I have seen. Enough of this. Give me the task. Give me the task.

18:55 Speaker 2: All right.

18:56 Speaker 4: That's all I wanted to know. I suppose I win.

19:00 Speaker 6: What are you talking about? What do you mean you win?

19:04 Speaker 4: I specifically requested to redeem my soul... Should I come up with something that you cannot do?

19:13 Speaker 6: I can do everything!

19:18 Speaker 4: Then I propose that you get lost.

19:23 Speaker 6: Get lost? What do you mean?

19:26 Speaker 7: It's Johnny and that stupid golden fiddle all over again! Did you not learn your lesson? That's how you lost that fiddle. You can't take advice from anyone, especially since this time... I was trying to help you.

19:40 Speaker 6: I don't understand the task.

19:44 Speaker 4: Hey, it's really easy, man. Go out and... get lost.

19:48 Speaker 6: I'm the All-Power! all-knowing on this planet. I, I, I cannot get, I cannot get.

19:59 Speaker 4: No, So, uh, is that it?

20:16 Speaker 1: That's it. You beat the contract. Now he's going to be impossible to live with.

20:22 Speaker 4: Hey, uh, Lilith, why don't you just stick around?

20:26 Speaker 1: Philbin, I'm a demon as well. I have a contract that I still have to fulfill.

20:30 Speaker 4: Yeah, well, I guess I'm no longer the greatest musician alive.

20:35 Speaker 1: Philbin, you always were. You always had the ability to play. That was one thing that Tobias could never take away from you. Go on. Hit the stage for that late night crowd. Just you and the guitar.

20:50 Speaker 4: Hey, what about you?

20:52 Speaker 1: Maybe I'll see you around. You got lucky this time, kid. Remember, always read the fine print.

21:02 Speaker 6: See the shadow of your smile In your eyes I see a million miles. In your sleep you have rocking horse dreams.

21:23 Speaker 3: All is not exactly as.

21:27 Speaker 6: It may seem.

21:30 Speaker 2: While Philbin didn't have the success that he longed for, he is still playing in small clubs and seems to be much happier now.

21:41 Speaker 6: Butterflies are not always free Sometimes lovers don't always agree.

21:59 Speaker 3: In your sleep you have rocking horse dreams. Where time stands still for you and for me.

22:11 Speaker 2: You return with us shortly.

22:14 Speaker 6: And that's the way it goes. Round and round.

22:35 Speaker 2: Most, if not all, religions have some sort of devil within their ideology. But as a wise person once said, be careful who you trust. The devil was once an angel. Our cast included Robert Jackson, Crimson McKenzie, Winslow Swan, William Stafford, Carter Sheriff, and Brenna Faith. The story was edited by Crimson McKenzie, and the entire production was under the direction of Winslow Swan. And now, a preview of our next tale.

23:17 Speaker 1: Okay, Fred. Is there anything that you would like to tell us?

23:21 Speaker 4: Well, you see, the rules clearly state... Enough with the rules.

23:27 Speaker 2: Just tell us what happened.

23:28 Speaker 4: Okay, please don't be angry with me.

23:31 Speaker 2: Fred!

23:32 Speaker 4: The party wasn't my idea, I swear.

23:36 Speaker 7: Idea or not, those ghost hunting people are going to be here with their stupid cameras soon.

23:41 Speaker 1: Stan, what are we going to do?

23:44 Speaker 2: Doorway to Nightmare is brought to you in part by Swanage Press. This is your host inviting you to return with us through the doorway to nightmare for another adventure into the world of your terrifying imagination. Until next time, slumber peacefully. Epilogue. The butler did it.