It was like in dreams. While I was keen in exploring the complexity and subtlelty of this metaphysical world which I was in, I was struck by dubiety, but yet, absolute familiarity of the place. There were not many things around, yet I had a feeling of deja vu, like things like these had happened in my past. 

There were three chairs, spot-lighted; arranged in such a way that two chairs faced the other chair. I walked towards that chair and sat.

'Conflicts again, Mr. Reese?', a voice boomed. I started.
'I...I don't know what you are talking about,' 
'Oh, you will Mr.Reese, you will' 

As I was flummoxed by the utter incomprehension about this uncomfortable situation, I saw silhouettes of two persons walking towards me. Whilst their features became more distinct, I saw two vaguely familiar persons. I stood up.

One man as old as me, was neatly shaved, dressed perfectly and shone of wisdom and intelligence, while the other was stubby cheeked, dressed shabbily and managed to maintain an evil atmosphere around himself.

'Ah, I guess introductions are in order, Mr. Reese. I believe you have met Frank and Frank,' the voice boomed again.

'Pleased to meet you, again, sir. Please, have seat. I don't think you remember me, do you? Just like the old times,' the well dressed man said.
'Oh, I am afraid, I don't. Name's Reese, Frank Reese,'
'I know, I know' 

The other man just made a careless hand-wave and lit a cigarette.

'These men are your alter egos, Mr. Reese; projections of your own self. The Good and The Bad. And you three meet when your normal intelligence, which, unfortunately is me, fails to make crucial decisions and debate. Finally what you take from here is an unequivocal decision that would have had every logical perspectives it could get. Do we stand understood?'
'I guess so,' I said, unsure.
'Good, let the tug begin!'

"So, power and money it is then, what more do you need Frank? All at the cost of your soul! What would you have done with it then? Donated it to charity or something? I don't believe you bring these trifle matters here sometimes. I am ashamed of you," he spat.  

"Money? Fame? Power? I would rather die than submit my soul to the Satan! Materialism is nothing more than materialism. Are you losing your soul to  fight for a higher cause? Are you losing your soul to Satan to redeem the despised and poor of their states? No! Are you losing you soul to Satan to greed, lust and to feed your own selfish heart? Will you later  find yourself strangled in the this huge planned net that He has carefully forged for you? Yes! Rise, arise, come to your senses, Frank!"

"Honestly, mate, do you have any idea about what you're talking about? This is life for god sakes! Do you know what we do in life? We stamp the weak and rise to a higher level. That is how it is.That is how it has always been."

"Think about God, Frank. Would he approve of this? Let me tell you something from Matthew 4:8:11 :

Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give to you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him’.”

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited for him." 

"God you say? Lying in bed and shouting 'Oh, my god; oh my god', doesn't always mean you're praying god, if you know what I mean! There are some things that we do, Frank, in the name of God and yet we don't mean it."

This went on for what it seemed to me like an eternity. Their cogency made me more confused than I was before. It was up to me and me only to decide what I was going to say. Scared of what I might find inside, I looked into my heart to find what I really wanted to find. And I found it.

"Are you up to it?" the whisper filled my ears.
"Yes!" 

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Author guidance for This story

Hi there everyone! This is just a story sparked by a conversation I had with one of my friends the other day, please join in, lets see where it goes! :)

I figure in the following chapters we can elaborate on how the money was gained by the main chracter originally (I was planning it to be inheritence but it's up to you!) and then lost! (Go crazy!) Maybe even explain how they have been trying to get it back, it's in your hands now!

And most importantly, does the greed win out, or does the conscience find a way out of the agreement? (I don't know which would make better reading, but I know what I'd sooner write!)

One more thing, I'd rather this story focused on how an individual without a soul sets about gaining power and wealth in our world. Please, Please, Please lets not have Vampires hopping about on dragons! :)

Have fun! :)

updated Dec 9 '10 by Izabelle_Shakespeare