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It so happens that on the day that one Andrew Bleighstone was pruning trees in his yard, he slipped and fell from his ladder. In his state of unconsciousness, he had an unexpected visitor. The visitor was tall and thin, dressed in black from head to foot, with a flowing black cape fluttering in the breeze. He stood over Andrew and leered at his motionless body. Andrew stirred, then looked up at the tall stranger. "Hello," Andrew said. "Can I help you?" "In fact, sir, you might," the stranger said. Andrew sat slowly in his groggy state. The stranger extended his hand to help Andrew to his feet. "Let's go sit down so we can talk." "What have we to talk about?" "Oh, plenty, Mr. Bleighstone, plenty." The stranger went on to say, "I am a representative of Lucifer, Inc. My name is Associate Devil Sybal. I have a proposition for you, sir." "Oh? What kind of proposition might that be?" "I can offer you wealth beyond your wildest dreams." Andrew thought about that for a moment, then said, "Why would you want to do that?" "I have a quota." "I see," Andrew said. "Well, I have enough money to be comfortable. I have no need for great wealth." "I can offer you great power." "Power? The only power I need is power to run my electric pruner." The associate devil thought for a moment. "Do you crave adventure? I can offer you the greatest adventure there ever was." "No, I'm not much interested in adventure." Andrew looked up at his ladder. "I've had plenty of adventure to last me quite some time." The stranger sighed. "There must be something you crave." Andrew thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, I'm interested in you." "In me?" the associate devil asked. "Of course," Andrew said. "It's not every day you meet a tall stranger dressed in black and claiming to be an associate devil with a quota." "Actually," he said, "This is my first day." "It is? Congratulations on the new job!" "Thank you, sir. I must try to impress my new boss, Mr. Beelzebub, the associate devil said while adjusting his cape. "Well," Andrew said. "We mustn't disappoint your new boss." "Excellent," said the associate devil. "What did you say was in it for you?"
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