Soul For Sale

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NEW PROMPT:
Write about a soul being sold on EBay
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“Did you see the item for sale on eBay?” Raphael asked this of the angels sitting around Heaven. The angel known for healing, consecration, and truth brought up the ad so all could read it.

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Description
Item Specifics – Item Condition
Condition: Used

This is a one-time offer for the soul of a 96-year-old male. Having led a checkered life, with good and bad actions, and being at death’s door, the man’s soul is ready to move on.

Starting bid: $1,000.00

Your maximum bid:

End Time: Feb-23-08 09-00-00 PST 24 hours

Shipping costs: FREE

Ships to: Heaven, Hell

Item location: California

Bid history:

Bidder Bid Amount Bid Time

Starting Price US $1,000.00 Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST
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“I think I should place a bid,” and a bid from high up immediately was listed:

Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Beelzebub, way down below in Hades, became irritated since he wanted that soul. “I will win this war with Heaven. Send that bid to eBay, up by a thousand human dollars.”

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Racing to obey this order, one of his minions sent the bid so the history now read:

Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Raphael simply smiled angelically when the tiniest of cherubs brought the new bid to his attention. “No, this won’t do at all. Jophiel will have to try outbidding Beelzebub." The angel of illuminate, wisdom, and perception was called to place the next bid.

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In that instant, a third bid was added to the eBay’s fight for the old man’s soul:

Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Smoke, steam and red-hot flames rose up from Hell to the offices of eBay. The sound of teeth gnashing floated throughout the building.

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It was no surprise to the eBay employees when a new bid was added.

Beelzebub                    US $4,000.00          Feb-22-08 15-27-01 PST
Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Seeing that bid posted, the men and women raced outside the eBay building, out into the cool February air. Through the windows, they could see flames flickering around their desks. For two hours, the heat kept them shivering and holding on to each other in terror.

“Who the hell allowed that soul to be bid on?” The manager glared at those huddled in groups on the eBay lawn. “For heaven’s sake, we have to remove it before the whole building gets destroyed. Now, who is willing to go inside to do this?” He grunted in disgust at seeing everyone taking a large step back away from him.

                   * * *

Meanwhile, up in Heaven, both Raphael and Jophiel called Gabriel over to see what was happening beneath them on Earth. They hoped their fellow angel of love, tolerance, and gratitude, might make the next bid.

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A soothing, cool cloud descended over the eBay offices when a new bid was posted.

Gabriel                              US $5,000.00          Feb-22-08 18-37-11 PST
Beelzebub                    US $4,000.00          Feb-22-08 15-27-01 PST
Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Trying to take advantage of the lessening of flames, the eBay manager raced inside and to his office at the back of the building. It would only take a few minutes to remove the offering for the man’s soul, but he was too late.

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Just as he sat down at his computer, he saw in horror a new bid being posted.

Beelzebub                    US $6,000.00          Feb-22-08 22-13-11 PST
Gabriel                              US $5,000.00          Feb-22-08 18-37-11 PST
Beelzebub                    US $4,000.00          Feb-22-08 15-27-01 PST
Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Standing outside in varying stages of disbelief, the remaining people realized all that remained of the manager was a pile of ash. The soothing cloud had evaporated in seconds, leaving flames filling the building once again. Many eBay employees fell to their knees in supplication, praying to both Heaven and Hell for release from the horror. Never had they seen such a bidding war in all their years working for this online auction site.

                   * * *

Once more in Heaven, a higher power was recruited to fight Beelzebub. In strode the archangel Michael, who was known for protection, power, and initiative. All three attributes would be needed in the fight for this man’s eternal soul. If his bid failed, only one entity was stronger.
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Michael                              US $7,000.00          Feb-23-08 03-15-28 PST
Beelzebub                    US $6,000.00          Feb-22-08 22-13-11 PST
Gabriel                              US $5,000.00          Feb-22-08 18-37-11 PST
Beelzebub                    US $4,000.00          Feb-22-08 15-27-01 PST
Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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Even before the bid could be noticed by the surviving employees, word went down to Beelzebub that his last bid was trumped by Michael, Heaven’s highest angel. The ground under the eBay complex started shaking, the tremors knocking people for miles around off their feet.

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The quakes increased steadily as a new bid came online.

Beelzebub                    US $8,000.00          Feb-23-08 07-29-12 PST
Michael                              US $7,000.00          Feb-23-08 03-15-28 PST
Beelzebub                    US $6,000.00          Feb-22-08 22-13-11 PST
Gabriel                              US $5,000.00          Feb-22-08 18-37-11 PST
Beelzebub                    US $4,000.00          Feb-22-08 15-27-01 PST
Jophiel                              US $3,000.00          Feb-22-08 12-19-13 PST
Beelzebub                    US $2,000.00          Feb-22-08 11-14-03 PST
Raphael                              US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 10-05-27 PST
Starting Price                    US $1,000.00          Feb-22-08 09-00-00 PST

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As the time came closer and closer for the end of bidding, everyone on Earth held their breath. Would Beelzebub gain the man’s soul? Would the angels in Heaven call on the highest power there? Minutes ticked by, one after another, until the clocks at eBay showed 08-59-59 PST.

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Suddenly, a final bid appeared.
GOD                    US $10,000.00          Feb-23-08 09-00-00 PST
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The man’s soul ascended upward to the glorious sound of trumpets and angels singing. In Hades, once again Beelzebub had lost.

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Microsoft Word count = 1,000

"The Writer's Cramp"  daily contest winner for 02/23/08
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