I decided to do another writing prompt. It was good practice, even though it was practice for something I already feel is a strength of mine. The prompt I used for this piece was found on Master Class: “A fortune teller reveals that you are evil.” I added the caveat that the story must only be told through dialogue, and I’m happy with how it turned out. It’s somewhat reminiscent of an episode of The Twilight Zone.

“I’m here to have my fortune told.”

“Of course, darling, the spirits informed me you’ be arriving soon. Would you like a cup of tea before we begin?”

“No thank you, not if it costs extra. And don’t call me darling – you’re not my grandmother. I am your customer, and I expect you to treat me as such.”

“Of course, madam. The spirits did warn me that you are more direct than my other patrons. The tea is entirely free of charge. I offer it to all of my patrons as a complimentary service.”

“Are you FDA compliant?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Do you comply with all the rules and regulations set out by the Food and Drug Administration? It’s not a hard question. I think I’ll pass on the tea.”

“I’ll put this away and we can get started, then.”

“Thank you.”

“Which of my services would you like today?”

“You’re the one who speaks with spirits, shouldn’t you already know what I want?”

“The spirits don’t tell me everything, madam, and though many of my colleagues possess the gift of mind-reading, I, unfortunately, was not blessed with that particular talent. What I can do for you is contact your loved ones who have passed, read your palm, or do a tarot or crystal ball reading. Which would you prefer?”

“Well, you’re not touching my hand, I can tell you that much. Do the crystal.”

“Very well. Please have a seat at the table there, and I’ll fetch my ball. Your energy seems a little turbulent, so we’ll use the selenite today.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Selenite tends to have a calming effect on those who use it and it sometimes can banish evil spirits when used correctly.”

“Sounds like a bunch of woo-woo nonsense to me.

“That looks more like clouded glass than crystal! You’re trying to rip me off!”

“I assure you, I am not. This is polished crystal, which is why it has a reflective quality. If the crystal were simply carved into a sphere you wouldn’t be able to see anything. It wouldn’t work.”

“It still sounds like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo pseudoscience bull crap to me.”

“There is nothing scientific about it, pseudo or otherwise. What I am practicing is, and what you have asked me to do for you, is nothing more than magic.”

“Magic isn’t real, and you know it.”

“If you don’t believe me, you are more than welcome to look into the crystal ball and see for yourself.”

“Why do I have horns?!”

“I told you selenite can be used to banish evil. The first step to banishing evil is identifying it.”

“I beg your pardon? I am far from evil,, thank you very much! I am a God-fearing Christian! I’m at church every Sunday and I’m an active member of my community! Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as virtuous as I could be, but I’m only human. That doesn’t make me evil!”

“Being human is no excuse for treating people the way you have, and your adherence to religion is no indication of the color of your character. Your actions are how that is determined, and your behavior is the worst kind of evil.”

“How is that possible! I haven’t killed anybody. How could you even know what my behavior is like anyway? We’ve never met before!”

“The crystal tells me. Right now it’s showing you at a restaurant berating your server over the amount of ice in your drink.”

“I’m sure I was just having a bad day.”

“You had just been telling your family what a great sermon you just witnessed and how at peace you felt. Either you were lying about your peace or belittling people gives you joy.

“Nothing to say to that? How about this next incident the selenite is showing me? You’re in front of a Planned Parenthood.”

‘Yes, I attend protests and prayer circles in front of these centers for satanic sacrifices often.”

“Cute, but prayer is something done in silence and privately. I’m not seeing prayer so much as I’m seeing harassments. Did you know the girl you grabbed was only fourteen?”

“And what was she doing in that place at all if she was so young?”

“She had been raped by her uncle. She was there to heal, and you and your friends poured salt in her wound. Did you know she killed herself after you scared her off?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“It was a gruesome death. She used a coat hanger. Of course, the embryo died with her. Two lives were lost as a result of your actions.”

“I was there to save them.”

“That may have been what you told yourself, but that wasn’t your intent. Not really. You wanted to see her and others like her afraid. That’s all you ever wanted.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Who even are you?”

“Darling, didn’t you wonder how you got here? I don’t think this is the type of establishment you’d visit under normal circumstances. As vile as you are, your pettiness is nothing compared to the evil I’ve done. Welcome to Hell.”