Half ignore?

“Eddie! The food is getting cold!” Chrissy whined. Urk.

“I… Okay, I probably won’t be done soon, but I think I am onto something important. Maybe you could help me?” I asked.

She pointed to the book. “Trish said that things dangerous. You sure you aren’t being a bit… unwise Eddie? Can’t we just eat? Have a good round or two in bed, and worry about it tomorrow?”

Ugh! Trish! What di she tell Chrissy! I didn’t do anything! Why did she have to turn my girlfriend against me! Maybe I should do something to Trish! Maybe this is cuz she didn’t understand how important this was! Well, I shook my head. I could focus on that later.

“I’m afraid it will be harder to keep my mind straight otherwise. Real quick. After I am done, promise, no more book. We can eat and fuck and then sleep.”

She pouted her lips to the side but then nodded. “Fine.” I smiled she went to grab the book.

“No!” I said. I didn’t want her to get horny from it. “I’ll do that part. Could ya get the candles and chalk?” I asked.

She grunted, probably thinking I insulted her, but I don’t see how that was an insulted, but whatever. I moved the book and began moving furniture. Basically, I needed to draw symbols in chalk, my own non sports skill, drawing. Chrissy helped me light the candles in the right spots.

The process took a while. Actually, more than a while. By the time we were done, it was past midnight, I guess, that was a bit past my word. Chrissy was pretty awesome. I was glad to have her. With the candles burning a chill entered the room.

“So, what was the point of all of this?” she asked.

A light purple light entered the center of the room and began to expand! Yes! Yes! I had a feeling! Demon summoning! I couldn’t remember the text because of whatever it was, but I had a feeling what it was, and in this case, I had a demeaning it was going to summon something! Time for true magic! From a demon! Lets just hope I summoned something worth the effort!

As the light expanded, wind began whipping around and my blanket, pillows and books were flung all over the room. Then in an instant the zone vanished, along with it, the carpet, the candles and all the chalk marks. Just a man standing there. He was in a suit with a vest, a beard and a cap and he had a wide grin on his face.

He didn’t much look like a demon to me. But, I suppose demons didn’t much plan to look like demons when you first meet then did they?

“Eddie, what the fuck did we do?” Chrissy asked.

“What the fuck indeed,” the man said, sniffing the air. “You have my thanks.”

“...”

“That’s adorable,” the thing said.

I grabbed the book. “But that should have worked.”

“Eddie,” Chrissy said.

I just needed to read the right passage. If this book could summon this thing then it had to be able to control it. I just felt it in my gut! This was the true power of this book! This was what it was really calling me to! “...”

“Okay, now your just embarrassing yourself,” it said as he raised his fingers. “...” and snapped.

Huh? We were suddenly in a bar? What? If he take us here then I could use this… wait the book! I wasn’t holding it anymore. He just smiled.

He sat down shuffling cards. Chrissy grabbed my arm.

“Drink? I really was trying to thank you. Throwing a hex at a new friend without a name is kind of rude though, but well, whats a little water under a new bridge, right? That’s what they are for am I right?” he asked.

“Seemed like you threw a hex without your name as well?” I said without sitting down.

“My gosh, your right! See, all the more reason to start over! How about you call me, Mouse. First name Sad, but I prefer Mouse if you don’t mind, so, fresh start? Free drink still on the table?” he offered. “No? Well, okay. Gonna guess, first time summoning a demon.”

“Yeah,” I said.

“Eddie! Why didn’t you tell me what we were doing! I didn’t consent to that!” Chrissy said.

“See, now I like her, she is good at lying,” Mouse said.

Calling my girl a liar? That just got me angry. I stood up. “I freed you from hell right?”

“Yeah,” he said, looking up at me.

“So you are in my debt, right?”

“I suppose that is true,” he said.

“Then I want what I am owed, and you can start with ten million for me and Chrissy,” I said.

He started playing with poker chips. “So, uhm. No. If ya want something smaller, then I can do a freebie, but like, yeah, your American? So dollars? I’m gonna have to say-”

I grabbed a poolstick and wacked him. I don’t know where this surge of energy came from but I just wanted him to do what he was told already.

He smiled and licked the blood. “Now that is just… unfriently.”

I raised it above my head.

“Okay okay wait! But I need time! Sort of! Like. Let me explain! Ten million, each. I will even offer you three wishes, but! I need a week. And I want you to help me with something. What I was trying to get to before. A deal. Give a little get a little.”

“More like it,” I said. Didn’t realize I just had to smack him upside the head.

“Eddie, I am not sure about this,” Chrissy said. “What if he wants our soul or something?”

“Nah nah, but smart lady. Fine details. Good. Exact details,” he paused. “I have a wife in hell. She’s the stronger one. She’s… amazing. Once’s she is out, our wishes will become true. I can bust her out, with the book. It will take me a week. The money should be an easy strawberry on top. Provided you don’t beat me to ****! So, all I need from you, is the first no beating me to ****, and my wife will be incredibly bored. Give her permission to enter your dreams for entertainment for one week and boom.”

“Three wishes each?” I asked.

“I was getting there. Not exactly. My wife loves the competition, sooo here is how it goes. One wish each. Third wish goes to the person who doesn’t give up.”

“Doesn’t give up?” Chrissy asked.

“I’ll give ya the money on the eight day either way. But the wishes get handed out after both someone gives up and the eight day pass. So if the eight day pass and no one gives up. Then ya keep playing. Like chicken! One of ya gots to give up and the other gets two wishes! Makes it exciting!”

“...”

Huh. We were back in our apartment.

“Is that strawberry pie I smell?” Mouse asked.

“Yeah,” Chrissy nodded.

“Hey wait. But you are turning this job into a way of turning us against each other?” I asked.

He sat down at the table. “May I have a slice of this delicious looking pie?”

“Yes you may,” Chrissy said, shooting me a evil look.

“Wait a second!” I said.

“Oh. It is cold,” he said. “I really don’t see the issue,” he added. “I mean, you are lovers. Presumable you can agree on one join wish and then it doesn’t matter which one of you quits. Or… is that a challenge? Pardon me, miss. Why is this delicious tasting homemade pie cold?”

“Because I was helping Eddie with his project,” Chrissy said with a groan.

“Oh my. How… well. I suppose that is none of my business. Though, I love strawberry pie. I hope you don’t mind,” Mouse paused. “...”

The pie instantly began sizzling. He then cut a slice for me. Chrissy seemed happier. I was losing control! Fuck!

“So, I have to ask,” Chrissy paused. “Can being with your wife in the dream world? Will it hurt us?”

“Good question. Nope. Honestly, humans like you, probably won’t even remember it. Like don’t humans only remember half your dreams anyhow?”

“I know I barely do,” Chrissy said.

I nodded. “Same.”

”Well, thats everything. Thing is. Offer is on the table, im out of here either way. So take it or leave it. So, whatcha say?” he asked with both hands cross out to us.

We nodded and shook on it.

He smiled. “Showtime!”