Water rippled in Chad's scrying dish. Fire blazed in the Underworld Employment as demons eagerly awaited job assignments. As the water settled, Chad found the perfect target for an afternoon of demonic possession. Chad consulted his list to see which demon was next in line for a visit to Earth.

"Beri," Chad's voice dripped with malice as he announced the name over the intercom, "Please report to the Underworld Employment Agency. You-"

Before Chad could even finish his announcement flames erupted in Chad's office. Beri grinned as his fire dissipated. Taking a step forward, Beri tried to shake Chad's hand with a youthful enthusiasm. Instead, Beri tripped over his own cloven feet and tumbled over Chad's desk. Papers flew everywhere.

"Idiot!" Chad screamed as his face changed color to match the flaming walls. "Why did I get stuck with you!?"

"I know I've messed up before," Beri blurted, "But third time's the charm, right?"

"This is try number four hundred and sixteen," Chad reminded him, "You're lucky I'm obligated to keep letting you try. Your target is a man named Tolbert Mallory. He's in a failing marriage, crippling debt, and battling depression. Should be an easy job."

"I'll make you proud!" Beri exclaimed as he disappeared in another burst of fire.

Seconds after Beri left Chad's office, he took control of Tolbert as he argued with his wife. Setting to work immediately, Beri spoke through Tolbert in a way he thought was detestable.

“I LOVE YOU” Beri shouted, almost choking on the vile L-word. As soon as Tolbert spoke, his wife froze.

“What?” Mrs. Mallory sounded confused. “It’s been ages since you’ve told me that!” Tolbert’s wife gave him a heartfelt embrace. Beri’s skin crawled. Clearly he’d done something right! “I’m sorry we’re fighting right before work. You should get going.”

Beri raced out of the house, eager to cause even more mischief.

As Beri strolled down Main Street he heard a shout from down the street. A man in a ski mask raced towards him. Under the man’s arm was a purse taken from an old woman. Beri had heard about situations like this in comics. The man was clearly a masked hero, the purse was surely the key to a diabolic plot, and that hunched old woman just had to be a deranged sociopath! Beri reached out deftly and wrenched the purse from the masked man’s grip. Falling, the man hit his head and lost consciousness while Beri returned the purse.

“Thank you dear,” the woman bowed. “For your help, please accept this.” She handed Beri an expensive bracelet before hobbling away.

“Aiding the side of evil will surely push Tolbert over the edge!” Beri thought to himself. “I think I can consider this a job well done.”

As Beri left his victim’s body, Tolbert looked down at the jewelry and smiled. He may not know what had come over him, but he did know his life finally looked brighter.