David Versus the Devil

1 MEETING THE DEVIL

The night I met the Devil, I was driving to a 7 o'clock meeting in San Fernando Valley, a large northern region of Los Angeles County. I was going to a class about the Kabbalah, which is the study and practice of ancient Jewish mysticism. I was curious to understand what it meant. This actually was my third class, and though I liked a couple of the beliefs, I must tell you that I approach things with a great deal of skepticism. You see, I'm the kind of person who finds just one thing that doesn't add up and I'm ready to walk. That one thing was the speaker's desire to find a movie star, a larger ‘vessel’, who would be willing to join the Kabbalah organization to better promote it. Yet, there I was willing to give it one more shot hoping that I could find that something that would help me stay and add some deeper meaning to my lackluster life.

I looked around to find a seat as people were milling about and quietly chatting. Then I spotted what seemed to me an unusual person. He was middle-aged and about 6’1” in height. He had thick white hair combed to the side with a sharp, neat part. If he wanted to present himself as someone who was well groomed, he succeeded. He wore a dark blue suit, with a crisp white shirt and a red tie while everyone else was dressed in more casual after work clothes. Most different were his eyes. I felt they were able to look right through me to my deepest thoughts. His face was so polished and perfect, it seemed as if he had no pores. He looked both compassionate and menacing at the same time. Think of a charming gangster you might see in a movie. I never really believed there was a Devil. I thought it was this biblical fantasy designed to keep people in line. Yet that was the only thought that came into my mind after seeing him. He made me very uncomfortable and I knew that I wanted to leave. Yet sometimes politeness and social graces keep us from doing what we really want to do. So I sat down and listened to the lecture.

When the meeting ended, he approached and gave me his business card. Turns out he was a life, home and auto insurance agent. His name was Bill Murphy. Mostly out of a defensive fear, I asked him a question.

“Did you like what you heard tonight?”

“Very much. I like philosophy and religions that believe they have all the answers. I'm especially interested in the people who follow them.”

“The people?”

“Yes, the searchers who are looking for something to help them get through life and cope with all the pain.”

I chuckle, “So you're here to network?”

“In a way. What brought you here tonight?”

Now I felt as if as I was being put on the spot. As if I had to justify myself for going. I wanted to come up with a response that would make me sound intelligent. Yet not so deep that it felt put on. Like how most conversations are when one meets new people.

“I guess I'm just one of the lost souls.” I was surprised by the words that tumbled out of my mouth as if he somehow elicited my response.

“A topic I'm very interested in.”

At once, he was distracted by the lecturer and rushed to end the conversation.

“I see someone I need to meet. You have my card. If you want to talk further, just give me a call.”

As I drove home that night, I kept thinking about the encounter. Was this man I met really the Devil? Was I the only one who saw him in that way? I've always had a certain affinity toward the mysterious, the unknowable. Sometimes, I just feel that I know things that other people don't. Call it intuition. A few of my friends think I'm a little weird because of things I say.

I pulled into my apartment parking space and walked to the garage exit. No one was around. It was eerily quiet except for the random creaks and clicks from the parked cars. I looked left and right into the dark recesses of the garage and quickened my pace.

2 IT’S NO BARGAIN

I've had more than my share of scrapes and scratches that driving in Los Angeles inevitably brings. Fender benders. Bashed doors in tight parking spaces. Even minor accidents. That’s when my insurance rates shot up. I figured what do I have to lose by calling Bill Murphy and getting a competitive quote. It’s been a good month since I ran into him at the Kabbalah meeting. Yes there is that inner voice warning me away. So it is with some trepidation that I am now making a phone call to him. What’s the harm? I'm talking on the phone not actually standing in front of him. Surely, he can't reach through the wires.

“Hello Bill. This is David Lerner. I met you last month at a Kabbalah lecture and you gave me your card. I need a quote on some car insurance. Can you help?”

“Yes, David. I do remember you. The lost soul, right?”

“That was a joke,” I defensively say.

“Well” he chuckles, “tell me the year and make of your car.”

“A 2006 Lexus IS250.”

“Are you the only driver?”

“Sometimes my girlfriend drives it.”

“Do you live in the same household? You may want to insure her on the same policy.”

“Well, we might be living together soon. I'm not sure.”

There was a long pause before he spoke again more slowly and distinctly. “David, I can help you with that situation if you'd like.”

“Situation? What do you mean?”

“I could help you with Kristin. Make it so she does move in with you.”

How did he know my girlfriend’s name? I never mentioned her. And how could he actually know how much I loved her? My heart is racing, alarmed at what I might be getting myself into. At the same time, it is confirmation that he really is the Devil, and I am frightened to my very core.

“David, can I speak to you frankly? I believe you know who I am, but if you’re worried about the soul business and the bargain, you’re seeing too many movies. It doesn't work that way at all. Everything will be fine. I assure you. Just take a deep breath and let it out slowly.”

My forehead is dripping. I’m in a total body sweat. Shaking, I don’t know if I am going into shock or going out of my mind. The words I speak seem as if they are emanating from another body, not my own.

“Everything will be fine. You assure me. If I say yes, it will work out and no harm will come to me or anyone else?”

“You know you want to say yes, David. You want Kristin to live with you. More important I know you believe me that she will. So how about a simple yes?”

“Yes.” I say barely above a whisper. My head is pounding. I wonder if I just signed my life away. The truth is, part of me didn’t care if I did.

“Excellent, David! You made the right decision. Now about your car insurance…”