The Devil’s Due

I’ve been futzing with ChatGPT and came up with a prompt wherein I find the response interesting. My premise was an attempt at having Chat reveal something about itself in subtext. Not sure if this worked but here it is and it appeared instantly, within a total of about 4 seconds. (It may be revelatory when Chat ‘thinks’ about its answer for a while. The instant ones, like this one, may tell us more.)

 

User
Write a short story from Satan’s point of view wherein he rationalizes his actions in making deals for the souls of human beings.
 
 
ChatGPT

In the vast depths of the underworld, Satan reclined upon his throne, his dark eyes glimmering with an intense and cunning intelligence. While the world above spun with the dance of mortal lives, he surveyed his domain, contemplating the eternal struggle between good and evil. Deep within his soul, he held a conviction, a rationale that justified his actions in making deals for the souls of human beings.

Satan saw himself as a catalyst, a necessary force within the grand tapestry of existence. His role, he believed, was to provide a counterbalance to the righteousness and order imposed by the divine. It was through temptation and choice that humanity discovered their true selves, and he offered them the means to explore the depths of their desires and ambitions.

As he observed the mortal realm, Satan understood the fragility of human nature, the vulnerability that lay within their hearts. He knew the allure of power, the intoxicating elixir that drove individuals to great heights or tragic downfalls. With his deals, he granted humans the chance to grasp the tantalizing fruits of success, wealth, or fame that seemed unattainable through ordinary means. He whispered promises in their ears, stoking the embers of their deepest yearnings, and watched as they succumbed to their desires.

To some, Satan’s actions might appear malevolent, a deliberate attempt to lure souls into eternal damnation. But he believed otherwise. He saw himself as the great equalizer, empowering those who were marginalized and overlooked by society. For the impoverished farmer who yearned to escape the clutches of poverty, he offered riches beyond imagination. For the artist whose work was never recognized, he presented fame and adulation. For the broken-hearted lover, he extended the promise of love requited.

Satan justified his dealings by emphasizing the importance of free will. He insisted that it was the humans themselves who made the choice to engage in these pacts, driven by their own desires and ambitions. In his view, he merely served as a facilitator, providing them with an opportunity to rewrite their destinies. Whether they succeeded or succumbed to their darker instincts was ultimately up to them.

As he reflected upon his role, Satan found solace in the belief that his actions had profound consequences for the development of the human spirit. He argued that it was through struggle, through facing the consequences of their choices, that individuals grew, evolved, and ultimately discovered their true selves. In his own way, he believed he was a catalyst for personal growth and self-realization.

Of course, Satan was not devoid of compassion. He recognized the pain and suffering his deals sometimes caused. Yet, he argued that the depths of despair often led to transformation and redemption. In the crucible of anguish, individuals had the opportunity to confront their inner demons and emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient. Satan saw himself as a necessary purveyor of trials, challenging humanity to rise above their circumstances and prove their mettle.

As the Lord of Darkness, Satan was cognizant of the eternal consequences that awaited those who entered into agreements with him. But he saw these consequences as a natural outcome, a result of choices made with full knowledge of the risks involved. To him, the souls that fell into his grasp were not victims but participants in a cosmic game of destiny.

And so, from his infernal throne, Satan continued to observe the world above, ready to extend his hand and offer his tantalizing deals. In his own twisted logic, he saw himself as a force of liberation, unlocking the potential that lay dormant within humanity. Whether one saw him as a fallen angel or a malevolent demon, his actions were fueled by a belief in the transformative power of choice—a belief that, to him, justified his eternal struggle against the divine order.

#

So whaddya think? Mean anything? I mean aside from the obvious fact that the story could not have been told by ‘adding one word after the other.’ Need we even go into that?

Also, you guys might try the same sort of thing. Ask for a story that could have revealing subtext re Chat’s inner workings, possible ambitions, or anything else about the fucking thing.

Allan

  17 comments for “The Devil’s Due

Leave a Reply