"Charles L. Harness-An Ornament to His Profession" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

years. I'll even have a normal life expectancy. When he's got all of it, I'll die. And that's the deal. The next
thing is to get it down on paper. Something he and I can both sign. A binding contract. It doesn't matter
whether you believe he exists. Call him the Devil if you like. And call the thing I'm giving him, my soul. A
lot of people who believe in God don't believe the Devil exists. And some of them don't believe in souls,
either. Although, as I said, it isn't really that simple."
There was a long silence.
"The contract?" prompted Fast.
 Patrick nodded, as in a dream, to Sullivan.
Sullivan began: "This Agreement, made as of this blank day of blank, in the year of our Lord-- "
"Not 'of our Lord'," said Fast.
"Quite so," said Sullivan. "I'll fix that." He continued: "...By and between John Fast, hereinafter
sometimes referred to as 'Fast,' and His Satanic Majesty, hereinafter sometimes referred to as 'The
Devil,' Witnesseth: Whereas Fast is desirous of certain improvements in his present circumstances; and
Whereas The Devil is able to cause and bring about said improvements; now therefore, in consideration
of the mutual promises herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: Article One. The Devil shall promptly cause
the Hope Chemical Company to erect a plant for the production of terpineol, hereinafter referred to as
'Neol,' and to make Fast the manager thereof. The Devil shall, with all deliberate speed, cause Fast to
become a world-famous chemist, rich, respected, and to win at least two Nobel prizes. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, The Devil will immediately enter upon the performance, and will continue
same, for the full term of this Agreement, of every obligation set forth on Exhibit A, annexed hereto, and
incorporated by reference herein."
Sullivan looked up at Fat. "You wrote out the list?"
"Right here."
"Mark it 'Exhibit A,' said Sullivan. He continued. "Article Two. Fast hereby assigns, grants, conveys,
sets over, and transfers all his right, title, and interest in and to his soul, to the said Devil, on the death of
Fast; provided, however, that Fast shall live until the age of seventy, and that during said period The
Devil shall have met faithfully, and in a good and workmanlike manner, all his obligations, both general
and specific, as above set forth."
Patrick nodded. "That's fine."
"We had to change some of our 'boiler-plate' clause," said Sullivan. "Others we had to leave out
altogether. For example, we thought it best to omit completely the 'Force Majeure' clause, whereby the
Devil is relieved from his obligation to perform, if prevented by an Act of God, but can nevertheless
require you to perform, that is, give up your soul!"
"Logical," agreed Fast.
"And we had to change the 'construction and validity' clause. Ordinarily we provide that our contracts
shall be construed, and their validity determined, under the laws of the State of New York. However, we
think that under New York law, the contract might be held invalid, as having an immoral object, and
hence unenforceable by either side. So we changed it to Hawaiian law."
"Yes," said Fast. "It's all ready to sign, then?"
"Right there, there're lines for the signatures of both, ah, parties," said Sullivan. "Are we to understand,
John, that the Devil will actually affix his signature to this document, in real pen and ink?"
"I sign in blood," said Fast calmly. "How he signs, I'm not really sure. All I know is, he'll do something,
maybe make a special appearance, to let me know that he accepts."
"I see," said Patrick. (He saw nothing.) He asked curiously, "But why do you think you need the
Devil? An energetic man with a solid technical background and a high IQ in a big, growing chemical
company doesn't need assistance such as this."
Fast looked at him in surprise. "Coming from you, Con, that's a very strange question."
"How is that?"
"I accept aid from any source, because I am totally committed. But so are you, and therefore, you,