“What happens if I say no?â€? Her sense of balance in a fight for survival with gravity. Oops, maybe I made her too calm, the demon thought to itself.

“Ah, see, this is a bit awkward.â€? The demon reached into a puff of smoke, pulling out an attaché case. “Here we go,â€? his talons clumsily retrieving a stack of papers. “Right here in your lease, section 66, paragraph 6. The undersigned agrees that the apartment, at the discretion of Beelzebub the High Master, will be used for temporary earthly operations. The undersigned is not required to evacuate,â€? he paused to look up at a dumbfounded Eve. “We usually recommend that you do. Humans generally have a violent reaction to the smell, but it’s your call.â€?

“Ok, where was I? Oh yes. You’re not required to evacuate, but the undersigned must allow full access to all areas of the apartment for a time to be determined by the High Master, not to exceed forty years.â€? He handed the papers to Eve. “Is this your signature? Didn’t you read the lease before you signed it?â€?