The Devil and Jimmy Neutron

by Gary D. Snyder

Part 4:

Cindy was torn between conflicting emotions. On one hand she was delighted at Neutron being the object of ridicule in front of the entire class. On the other she was filled with apprehension at the dire implications of having gotten her wish. Half of her believed that her contract with Lou was nothing more than an idle daydream. The rest was chilled by an icy dread that it was all too real and that she was in deadly peril of losing her soul. Racked with this uncertainty she largely ignored the rest of the class (which consisted primarily of Principal Willoughby explaining when use of a semicolon was appropriate) and when the dismissal bell finally rang she wandered off by herself, lost in a confused whirl of thoughts.

"Hey, Cindy. So what's this all about? No hello? No welcome? No thanks?" a voice asked.

Cindy recognized the voice at once and looked up. "Lou?"

"The same. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow." He was wearing the same beguiling smile she had seen before. "So did I deliver, or what?"

Cindy tried to force a smile and failed miserably at it. "Yeah, I guess so. But did…did you actually do that?"

"None other."

"But how?" asked Cindy, hoping for a technical loophole. If she could prove that Lou hadn't been responsible, she might be able to end things here and now.

Lou looked almost nonchalant. "A touch of laryngitis here, a whispered suggestion there, and Willoughby gives a test that makes Neutron fall flat on his face." He laughed. "I loved it that even Butch got a higher score than he did. And if Carl had any mean streak in him at all he would never let the boy genius live it down."

"Oh," said Cindy in a small voice.

Lou suddenly gave her a sharp look. "Say, what gives? You asked for something, I delivered as promised in less than an hour. You don't seem too happy about it."

"Well…" Cindy struggled for a plausible reply. "Poor Miss Fowl…I didn't want anyone to get hurt."

Lou smiled. "Tenderhearted. I like that." He put his hand on her cheek almost affectionately, but when he noticed that Cindy flinched at his touch he removed it, looking embarrassed. "Sorry. I forget sometimes how that must feel. If there was some way I could…but never mind that." He sighed. "Anyway, don't worry about Miss Fowl. Tomorrow she'll be back and as healthy as ever. Probably won't even remember it."

Cindy said nothing, studying the floor.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Well…" she replied hesitantly, "that contract I signed..."

"Oh, that. You're having second thoughts, aren't you?"

Cindy nodded, not wanting to look up.

Lou's voice was calm and reassuring. "People always do. They want something so badly that nothing else matters to them. Then, when they get it, they wonder if they really did want it or whether just wanting it was what they really wanted. Trust me. You'll get used to it."

"But my soul –" Cindy began.

"Hey, look," said Lou, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "You knew what you were getting into." Seeing Cindy cringe at his tone he paused and went on more quietly and calmly. "Cindy, you need to remember three things."

"What are those?"

"First, you had a choice. Sure, I got you to sign by sweetening the deal a bit, but that's because I liked you. I still do. But your name's on the line and that's that. I don't make the rules. It's nothing personal. It's just business."

Cindy couldn't dispute that. "Second?"

"Second, supposing I do get your soul. How do you know if that will be so bad? Have I really been so rotten to you? Look at me. Am I really such a bad guy?"

Cindy looked up into those dark eyes, feeling her will and resistance slip away into their bottomless ebony depths. After a few seconds she felt herself released and able to think clearly again.

"You trusted me when you signed, Cindy. Trust me now when I say this doesn't have to be so bad. You'd just be making a different choice is all."

Cindy wasn't so sure about that, but only said, "Third?"

"Third," Lou answered reluctantly, "you still have a chance to break the contract. I gave you those three conditions as an escape clause. If any of those three don't come true by Friday afternoon you're free and clear. You have to remember, though, that you can't do anything to interfere with what happens or you forfeit immediately. That means that until the contract is settled you can't tell anyone what's going on, and you can't force anyone to do or to not do anything."

"Why not?" asked Cindy.

"Because those are the rules. Like I said, I don't make them. But I have to obey them. And so do you." He glanced at his watch. "I have another appointment so I have to run. I'll see you later." He smiled reassuringly. "Cheer up. Things could still work out your way. And in any case, they could be a lot worse."

The sound of people coming towards them made Cindy turn to look, and when she turned back Lou was gone. Not sure what to do Cindy stood there until the people came around the corner and into view. It was Carl, Sheen, and Jimmy.

"I'll never get it," Carl was saying. "We've tried everything. I'm just not smart enough. I can't even understand semicolons. I'll never get something memorized by tomorrow."

"Don't give up, Carl," said Jimmy. "I'll think of something. Don't you worry."

"Yeah, Carl," agreed Sheen. "Maybe Jimmy can find something without semicolons. Or maybe give you one of his gadgets to help you."

"No, no gadgets," countered Jimmy. "Miss Fowl will be watching for one of my mnemonic enhancement inventions. Carl will have to do this on his own. And he will." Jimmy suddenly stopped in front of Cindy. "Hi, Cindy. Congratulations on the test. Even if it was a trick test," he muttered to himself.

"Thanks," Cindy replied, trying not to sound anxious. "How's Carl doing with his recitation?"

"Well, it doesn't look too good. But there's always hope," said Jimmy.

"Yes," said Cindy absently. "There's always hope. I have to believe that there's always hope."

End of Part 4.