Prelude to Apocalypse
copyright © 2010 by Robert L. Blau
"So, my son," crowed Satan. "The great day is upon us!"
"Indeed, Father!" chortled the Antichrist evilly. "Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
"Long have I awaited this moment!" cried Satan. "And never have I seen the world in such a cesspit. Tell me, AC, what have you got going? War, yes? Global conflicts that leave the earth a smoking ruin? Spare me no details!"
"Um, not as such," said the boy.
"Uh, ... no?" queried the father. "Why not?"
"It turns out that humans have a much better knack at that than I do," confessed the son.
"Ah, pestilence, then!"
"Well, ... not exactly," replied AC. "Once again, the humans are doing very well with that on their own. I don't think I can top AIDS."
"Oh, well," said Satan, "I bet you're planning some devastating famines, huh?"
"Er, they beat me to the punch again there," admitted AC shamefacedly.
"Oh, global warming! Right?" beamed the proud father. "The gift that keeps on taking, huh? Kind of wraps it all up in one package."
"I hate to say this," said AC, "but they're doing all that on their own."
"Ok," capitulated the father. "What are you doing?"
Now, the young devil's mouth broke into an evil grin. "Healthcare reform!" he laughed. "Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Coverage for millions! Federal subsidies! No discrimination based on pre-existing conditions! No canceling insurance because of illness!"
"Genius!" cried Satan. "Truly, you are my son! The day of triumph is upon us! Go forth! Insure those people! Cover them in insurance!"