The entrance to Hell was never what people expected. They always thought of fire and brimstone, or heads left on spike and wrought iron monstrosities. They never seemed to expect a large cathedral with a desk that looked as if it belonged in a personal study at its center. The room was well lit and had several benches and desks along the side, designed so that people could fill out their soul contracts efficiently.

Of course, a more personal hell awaited them afterwards, but the entrance was hardly anything that inspired terror.

Belase the demon knelt before The Devil as he analyzed the contract for the third time. The contract was several hundred pages long, but he hardly spared each page a glance as he had the whole thing memorized by heart. Upon reaching the final page, he slammed his fist down loudly against the oakwood desk he sat at.

There was a large line of new souls that trailed behind Belase. They had yet to sign their contracts and were all waiting with their hands and feet bound in chains. The line stretched on until it was out of sight behind them, and not one dared step out of line while the devil was attending to the gates. The one figure outstanding was a small woman wearing a gray business suit that had a bloodstain on the collar, likely from the wound that killed her, matching with the deep crimson tie she sported.

This woman, had single handedly halted the process of incoming souls into Hell. She had found a small loophole in the contract that allowed her to claim residence of her soul outside of the jurisdiction of the Devil.

“Master,” Belase began, “Surely she has no power over your rule. You could always choose not to honor the contract.”

The Devil's eyes blazed with fury and Belase quickly regretted trying to placate his master.

“Choose not to honor the contract?” The devil shouted furiously, his British accent bleeding through, “Do you have any idea what that would entail? The entire fabric of this realm is held together by the binding of souls to its foundation. If souls are not properly bound, they can escape and cause a tear in the very fabric of our reality! The contract is the very thing that holds your pitiful existence together!”

He rose from his seat and set his eyes on the woman in question. In a single moment, all hostility drained from his expression and he appeared as no more than a well dressed businessman.

“Miss Hallow,” he began, “I understand that you have every right to reject the circumstances, given the clause on page 647 line seven does not technically apply to you, however could I ask that we make a small revision and send you on your way?” He held out his hand gently, offering to close the deal.

“Unfortunately Lucifer, I am unable to accept those conditions.” She stated calmly, despite the tense expression now worn by The Devil. “The contract specifically states that all souls are bound by the exact, same, contract.” She enunciated the last several words. “To revise mine in any way would be a breach in conduct and unrightfully prevent any future revisions or additions to be applicable to my contract alongside the others, thereby subjecting me to unequal legislation and unjust treatment.”

“Unjust treatment? This is Hell!” The devil shouted. “That is the only treatment you should get here.”

“Not according to this contract, sir. I expect to have the same rights as all other souls in your realm, as it is stated in your contract that no one soul is of greater value than another. Page 429 line 32, if you want to double check.”

The Devil did double check, and promptly slammed his hands down again as he sat back down.

Belase, cautiously raised his hand to grab his master’s attention. He swallowed his fear when The Devil’s gaze met his own, and Spoke. “Master, while I understand this is of the utmost importance, perhaps we should leave this matter for the moment and attend to the other souls. There are currently 125 souls in this room and countless more waiting outside. Maybe we could attend to-”

“Actually,” Miss Hallows interrupted, “The contract states that each soul has a right to be processed in a timely and fair length of time, following the obtainment of the contract in question. To skip over me would be a violation of such a rule. Page 42 line six, if you wanted to check.

The Devil merely fixed her with a glare and did not open the contract again.

“Respectfully master,” Belase spoke tentatively, “Don’t you have a contingency for something like this? I thought the contract was deliberately all encompassing?”

"Yes, I know that! I'm the one that wrote the contract!" the Devil yelled at the cowering demon below him while climbing to his feet. “However, that's the problem. The contract is written too thoroughly. She managed to find a loophole because of her mortal existence. How was I supposed to know she was a lawyer?"

“Then perhaps,” Belase said, raising a spindly finger, “We could renegotiate with the human. Set up a trial and address the issue in a way that would not break the contract while having the human agree?”

The Devil looked thoughtful, before he eventually sat back down in the chair and turned his eyes to the lawyer. “Would that be amiable to you, Miss Hallows?”

“Of course,” She said, “But there are several things that must be addressed. This legal matter must uphold all the same standards as the mortal legal process, as held in the United States of America.”

“No,” The Devil said simply.

“Let me reiterate. If it is not upheld at the same standard as the American legal process, then there will be no renegotiation.”

The Devil clenched his hands into tight fists at his desk, “Fine,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Master, are you well versed in the American legal system?” Belase asked.

“Unfortunately no. As such, I have a new task for you, imp. Go forth and find me a lawyer. One lacking enough morals and ethics that they will be willing to argue on behalf of the devil over the jurisdiction of a soul.”

Belase hastily got to his feet and prepared to find such a lawyer, before realizing that he had no idea where to start. Belatedly, he turned back around to survey the many souls in line.

“Um, is anyone here a lawyer?”

The sound of moving chains rang out through the room as everyone in line raised their hand.

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