Prologue 4:
Reassignment
(Darkness. The Contractor is dumped into the middle of it and hits and the ground with an "oof!" He is wearing a brown robe over his usual white clothes. As he gets up, he looks around nervously, a low murmuring going through the still air as if hinting at things hidden within the dark surroundings. There is a rumbling as he looks up to the swirling black above him. A deep voice speaks from it)
Contractor… You have failed me again.
Cont: Yes, I am aware of that, but let me—
What's the excuse this time?
Cont: They were just too crafty, as before. They saw right through my deception and turned my plans right back in my face!
That is unacceptable. You are their God. You should have no difficulties whatsoever in handling them.
Cont: I know, but they're just too good!
No, that is not it. You're allowing them to thwart you.
Con: U-uh, what do you mean?
Don't play dumb with me. You set up all these ludicrous plans so that they can counter it via your preferred methods. The kind of thinking that you put into them.
Cont: That's, that's nonsense.
Is it? You prefer to make pointless schemes when you could end it all by snapping your fingers. Why deny yourself the simplest solution?
Cont: I want to take out my creations in style! In fact, I've been coming up with this nifty idea involving—
Forget it. After approving so many of your plans and listening to your excuses time and again, I now see what's really going on: You don't want to do it. I understand that they are your creations, but when I give an order, you are to execute it without delay or hesitation.
Cont: T-t-t-that's not right. You're talking crazy. I always carry out your wishes to the best of my abilities.
No more.
Cont: What?
No more will I tolerate your feigned incompetence. It's painfully clear that you are incapable of ending what you have started. Therefore, you are hereby relieved of your original duties.
Cont: What? You can't do that! It's my responsibility!
It has been decided. Now stand down, or face the penalty for insubordination.
Cont: To Hell with your threats! I will not stand aside and let you manhandle my work!
…Very well. If that's how it is, then you leave me with no choice.
(4 black iron-barred walls slam up around the Contractor, creating a sinister cell. Contractor grabs at the bars, and as he rattles them angrily, we see the cell slowly sink into the swirling darkness below)
Cont: No! You can't do this! No one can to do this thing justice but ME! They're my responsibility! They're all my RESPONSIBILITYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
(The cell disappears into the darkness. There is nothing but black and wind noises)
I pray that you don't end up as great a disappointment as well.
(A shadow steps into the open)
?: Oh, don't worry. There will be no failure in my methods. Heheheheheheheh...