Satan's Paradiso

2: Hell

(Int. Anne's cabin, night. It is a small, wooden building containing only two beds, one of which Anne is laying on, a table, and a small hearth for warmth. Anne bolts upright, breathing in as if she has just come out of cardiac arrest. She scans her eyes around the room, and gets up. The camera focuses on a small sheet of paper, which had obviously come through a mail slot in the door. Anne retrieves it and kneels down to unfold the paper.)

Baal: (Narrating the words on the paper.) Mistress. Anne Bennett, please report to the manor in the center of town.

(After a short pause, Anne steps outside, revealing a medieval town full of people running about, despite the fact that it is night time. In the distance there stands a manor, which she slowly starts to walk towards.)

(Int. Satan's manor, night. Anne steps through a pair of large, decoratively carved wooden doors, and into a medium sized, comfortably furnished hallway/waiting area. Baal sits in a nearby chair. His skin is charcoal black, and upon his head rests a pair of short, goatlike horns and ears. His face in blotchy and freckled, and he looks as though he's in his early twenties. He stands as Anne enters.)

Baal: Hello, you must be Mistress Bennett, my lord is ready to see you now, but if you would prefer, I may permit you some time to process the situation me and him have thrown you into.

Anne: I beg your pardon? What in the world is going on?

Baal: The lord will explain it, I assure you, now if you're quite ready, follow me upstairs.

(He starts walking up a nearby staircase, Anne follows.)

(Int. Satan's office. It is a large, barren room, the only furniture being a music stand in front of a side window, several large bookcases in the front of the room, and a desk in front of said bookcases, where Satan sits, looking through various papers as Anne and Baal enter. He is tall, and has the same black complextion as his assistant. His horns are larger, and curl around his ears like a ram's horns.)

Baal: Where do you want me, my lord?

Satan: Please wait outside, you may be needed in a few minutes.

(Baal bows and exits the room, leaving Anne and Satan alone together.)

Satan: Anne Bennett, yes?

Anne: (Nodding.) Yes, your lordship.

Satan: I see, you may sit down if you'd like.

(Anne sits awkwardly.)

Satan: Before I begin, it should be mentioned that this conversation will not be easy, do you understand?

Anne: Yes your lordship.

Satan: Very well, yesterday afternoon, Mister Aldred Carter died of the plague. I don't know if you were made aware of this during your time as a ghost, but he was the last living person who had memory of seeing you, meaning when he died, you left your ghost hood.

Anne: Forgive me, your lordship, but if I...

Satan: Take your time.

Anne: (Slowly.) If I am no longer a ghost, then where am I?

Satan: Mistress Benett, you are aware that at the age of sixteen, you were executed for killing a two week old infant of the name of Oliver?

Anne: (Short pause.) Oh my God, this is Hell, isn't it?

Satan: I'm afraid so.

Anne: (shrinking back.) Are you?

Satan: Yes, Mistress Bennett, I am indeed The Devil Lord Satan, and the gentleman who escorted you in is my dear friend and trusted assistant, The Demon Baal.

(Anne sits in silent shock.)

Satan: I know, but I need you to listen carefully, I am well aware of the Earthly rumors surrounding demons and Hell, but I promise you that neither me or Baal will attempt to hurt you during your stay here, and by extension, we will do everything in our power to prevent you from coming into harm. You are here simply for therapeutic reasons, so you can realize what drove you to commit such a terrible act, and hopefully learn from the experience. Do you understand?

Anne: Yes your lordship.

Satan: Good, now if you don't mind, I am going to send Baal back in here, I'm afraid he is much better at consoling people than I am.

(Satan opens the door to the office and motions to Baal, who enters)

Baal: Hello again, Mistress Bennett, how are you faring?

(Anne remains silent.)

Baal: Still shaken, I can imagine, would you like a tour of the grounds? It may help.

(He places a hand on Anne's shoulder, she bats it off.)

Anne: get away from me you cur.

(She runs out the door, through town, and into her cabin.)

(Int. Anne's cabin, where she flings herself onto her bed and starts crying and screaming into her pillow. Fade to black.)