I'm thinking on this one, I have an idea but it hasn't wormed its way out yet. But, I have a tangentially related one I did on reddit back a few years while I'm percolating.
There he stood in all his scarlet glory. The lack of horns and tail was disappointing, but those had always been symbolic. I glanced at his feet, but they were shod in shiny red leather, so if there were hooves, I never saw them.
What stood out the most was his visage. Not because of any facial features; other than being incredibly handsome, nothing stood out in that regard. Even the perfectly groomed mustache and goatee weren't anything that stood out.
The glare in his eyes, glowing faintly red, and the curl of his lips into a sneer as he began to speak are what seared into my memory.
Standing at a crossroads in the middle of rural Tennessee, having just summoned the devil himself would be something to remember by itself, but his words crushed my dreams.
"Let me guess. Another human trying to sell their soul?"
The raw contempt and disgust in his voice made me shiver in fear. I opened my mouth to respond, but he raised a well manicured hand before I could start.
"I have no use for the damned things. I know you humans love to pretend they have value, but they're useless to me. If I did want them, millions of souls are consigned to me every year by their own actions and no cost to me. I do not, nor have I ever, given anything in exchange for a human soul. That isn't to say I'm not in the business of trade, but souls? Even Jesus himself has no use for them.
No, if you have something useful, we can make a deal. It won't even guarantee you a spot in my soul sauna since the father gave you screeching monkeys the escape clause of repentance. All souls are hers no matter where they reside."
Stunned, I tried to process his words. My brain scrabbled at Satan calling god both father and her for a moment before it slipped back into gear and recalled my purpose. I didn't sacrifice that goat for nothing!
"Oh hail and praise thee Lord of Darkness, I have come to make a deal."
His eyes rolled as he muttered something about Ozzy and Anton needing an ass kicking, but I continued.
"I would offer my soul in trade for power over my fellow man, and great wealth."
He cocked his head to the side. "Are you dense, or just fucking with me?"
"Um. Sorry. I had this whole ritual planned and, well, I thought it was the thing to do."
He ran his hands across his face, then through ebon hair. "Humans." He then sighed and went on "Look, Charles, I know who you are, I know what you want. And I know what you have to offer. My staff are excellent at gathering that kind of thing before I ever show up. So let's cut the bullshit, shall we?"
"Yes, um, my Lord?"
"If it makes you feel special, Lord is fine. You tell me what you want, in reasonable detail. I tell you what I want in return. Then maybe we don't both go home with a million mosquito bites at dawn and get home quickly instead."
With that, he slapped one of the offending insects, a slight puff of sulfurous smoke rising from the spot on his neck.
"Yes my Lord!"
And I told him. I wanted the ability to charm the masses, to sway minds with my words. For that power, the influence and wealth it would bring, I would swear anything.
He listened, watching my hands as they fluttered until I reined in their nervous flight. As I uttered the last word, anything, a devilish grin spread.
"I can do that Charles, oh I can give you that indeed. The price isn't even onerous. For that power, all I will require is that once you have risen to wealth and influence you form a small company dedicated to the sales of cheaply made electronics."
"Cheap electronics my Lord? That's all you want?"
"Well, that and I'll need about tree fitty."
"Tree fitty? Is that a South Park reference?" Did old scratch just make a South Park reference?
He sighed again. "Yes. They got what they asked for. I should know better than to trade a bag of "the dankest weed ever" for a subversive cartoon that features me. They smoked it all, and that's the best joke they came up with.
But yes, I need you to make cheap electronics."
"Yes my Lord. Um. Why?"
"You dare ask me why? My reasons are not for the likes of you to know, and you could not comprehend the skein of plans woven within plans that your tiny efforts will assist."
"Yes Lord. Cheap electronics it is. So, do I sign in blood, orrrr?"
"Pff, if you wish. You humans do enjoy ceremony. But there's no need. It's not like I need paper and a signature to collect what I'm owed."
With that, he snapped and a fussy looking little imp appeared with parchment, a quill and a syringe. The imp looked eager, his tail twitching in anticipation.
"No need my Lord! Your word is good enough for me!"
"Yes, it would be."
With that, he stepped forward. Fire and smoke began streaming from his hands. He touched my brow, then my lips and throat. The vermilion depths of his pupils boring into my own as heat washed from each point his hands touched.
I couldn't move. The fire from those touches spread across my skin, sinking down into my body. As they reached some immaterial but perceptible part deep inside me, my vision flared white hot and consciousness fled.
But as I fell the the ground, I heard him say, "Come Grossclout, we have an appointment with the postmaster that needs keeping."
When I woke, it was still dark. The crickets sang as I walked back to my car, filled with confidence and a plan.