Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Show Biz Satan (FF)


"Perfect, Satan!  Just perfect!" 

"Thank you, Solly."

"That shot worked super due to your outstanding lighting skills! You're the best in the business!"  

"Well, I am the Master of Darkness!  To understand the dark, you also must comprehend the light."

"Luckiest day of my life when you came calling on me. Who knew you were enamored of show business?"

"I was ready to take your soul as the most corrupt producer in Hollywood!  But you offered me a job I couldn't resist."

"And since then we've made show business history!"

"But when will I realize my dream to work with Meryl Streep?  You recall, Sol Berman, after that is when I take you!

"Sorry, but ... umm ... Meryl ... uhh ...  is on location for another six months."

"By the fires of Hades!  Now what?" 

"Satan, say hello to Mark Ruffalo." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm so glad Satan found his metier and may be leaving us all alone for a while.  For that you can thank producer Sol Berman and the Friday Fictioneers, to whom this brief story (alright, 140 words, what's it to ya?) is the weekly offering by yours truly based on the intriguing picture prompt above.  

I don't know why I think Mark Ruffalo is kind of an amusing reference.  He's a good actor, but I find something funny about him.  Then again, judging from my success as a humor writer, what do I know about funny?  The other Fictioneers know funny, and dramatic, and poetic, and much more so it's time to leave me, Sol Berman, Mark Ruffalo, and Satan back in the studio and click here.

Devil with the blue dress on?  No, devil clutching an Oscar.  Next March.

46 comments:

brudberg said...

Ha. yes I had not known about Mark Ruffalo.. sorry for my ignorance.. but they dialogue is hilarious.. and that you have to know light to know darkness is a great wisdom Perry.

Perry Block said...

Thanks, Bjorn. I like the idea of a devil so obsessed by show business that a smart producer can get around him. I'm sure there's a funnier name I could have gone for, but this is what struck me. Now you can learn who Mark Ruffalo is and I have educated you!

Anonymous said...

Hee Hee, great job :)

Perry Block said...

Satan bless you, Helen. In a good way.

Michael said...

Very entertaining I had a feeling about devils and souls...nicely done Perry, I think Mark Ruffalo is funny too. I saw him him playing a bus driver the other day, he was 'funny' in that though not the laughing kind...

Perry Block said...

Thanks. There's something just a little off-base to me about Mark Ruffalo in that he's kind of an odd guy, though not exactly a nerd, who always plays cool guys. I always feel kind of a disconnect when I see him. That said, he's probably not the right name for that joke, but that's what came to me.

Anonymous said...

Nice dodge!

Perry Block said...

Whatever.

S.K. Dubois said...

I'm a suckered for Satan stories. So good to know he has a skill besides that ruling he'll thing. The light/dark line made me chortle in my tea. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I just like the name Mark Ruffalo because in theory, I could use it to finally find a way to fit the word Buffalo into a poem.

Perry Block said...

Thank you. I love it when you chortle.

Perry Block said...

That's the real reason I chose the name. To help you, darling! And not to kill anyone either.

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of Mark Rufflalo but his name sure is funny!

Sandra Crook said...

:) Nicely done. I don't know who Mark Ruffalo is but what a great name.

Rochelle Wisoff-Fields said...

Dear Perry,

Amusing dialogue. Mark Ruffalo indeed.

Shalom,

Rochelle

janet said...

I don't know Mark (or maybe Jack about most Hollyweird/TV people) but I know I enjoyed your story immensely. Your title had my laughing before I got to the story.

janet

Perry Block said...

It is, isn't it? Maybe that's why it came to mind.

Perry Block said...

Good. I'm finally feeling I chose the right name rather than an easy shot, like Nicholas Cage.

Perry Block said...

Good. The master has blessed the Ruffalo choice.

Perry Block said...

Thank you, Janet. Gee, with you I could have done without any name at all!

Anonymous said...

perry, don't piss off the incredible hulk. you won't like it when he's angry :)
what i don't understand is why all of the guys in the Avengers are hot, except for him.
hilarious dialogue.

Perry Block said...

OMG, you're right, I would never want to make him angry! I think many consider him hot but I don't get it. There's something a little odd about him, which is why I find him somewhat funny. Maybe that's his charm. Hope you enjoyed a minute or two with Satan, as you are the true Mistress of the Night!

Anonymous said...

Who would've thought Satan had such an affinity for show business? And, of course, who wouldn't want to work with the perfection that is Meryl Streep? That, I have no trouble believing. (Then again, Hollywood is easy pickins for the Lord of Darkness, I'm sure). Loved the story!

Anonymous said...

Ah, that photo is even more hilarious to look at after reading your story. Poor Mark doesn't know what's coming to him. A wildly entertaining post, Perry!

Lisa said...

Pretty funny, Perry! I like a good Satan story. Mark Ruffalo always makes me feel like he is hiding an awful secret.

Anonymous said...

Oh ... SNAP! Actually, C.S. Lewis might have liked this. I could see a sequel to The Screwtape Letters --- The Hollywood Edition. Funny stuff, Perry!

Unknown said...

That is really funny. Faust would have enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

Ruffian Ruffalo ! :)

nice work there Perry !

P.S. Joshi said...

Good and very humorous story, Perry. However, if Satan reads this he may be after you next. Although he seems to be fairly busy with his new career. Poor Mark Ruffalo. :( What did he ever do to you? This was one of your creative ventures at it's best and nobody died---yet.:)

Anonymous said...

Loved the humour here and the great dialogue, well done Perry

Perry Block said...

Yes, Hollywood is easy pickins' for Satan until one Hollywood conniver out connives him. My guess is Ms. Streep will be on location for a lot longer than 6 months. Thanks for writing!

Perry Block said...

I'm not sure who scares me more - Satan or Mark Ruffalo?

Perry Block said...

That's it! There's something about Mark Ruffalo that makes you feel he's smirking at you, like there's always something beneath his rather innocent-seeming surface. You've got it, Lisa!

Perry Block said...

C.S Lewis, eh? Well, he hasn't commented yet. But I'm glad you wrote!

Perry Block said...

Faust would have been taking notes fast and furiously, I think.

Perry Block said...

More takes on why Ruffalo is Weirdalo! There's something about that guy...

Perry Block said...

Yes, I'm trying to keep the dying down in light of Helena's comments this week. And there's no telling that Mark Ruffalo may not be getting the better of Satan too, just like Sol Berman has. All you have to do is dangle Mery Streep in front of him!

Perry Block said...

Thank you! Ah, to be 40 again. Or 50 again. Or ...

Anonymous said...

I totally agree with you, Perry. There is something funny about Mark Ruffalo. Well, look at his name for starters! He doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. I like that about him. Funny dialogue. You can't say you've made it until you've worked with Meryl.

Lewis Cave said...

Ruffalo was a great choice, Satan is a sinner, no surprise there, but there is one place I can’t agree Perry… Of course the incredible hulk is hot, how could you even suggest otherwise!

Anonymous said...

That studio lamp does have a satanic sort of face. I had to look up Mark Ruffalo to find out who he might be. I remember him in some films, but can't recall which! I don't know Solly Berman. However, a good Faustus story through humour. I can't help thinking of Abbott and Costello. They would be great as actors in your story. Oh and of course, Meryl would be good too! Ann

Perry Block said...

Yes, but the real problem with this story is that there are no nipples in it! I'll try to do better next time. Thanks, Amy

Perry Block said...

Yes, the Hulk is hot, but not when he's played by Mark Ruffalo. Only by Bill Bixby, should you remember back that far.

Perry Block said...

Solly Berman is made up, unlike Mark Ruffalo, who seems like he should have been made up. I tried to hire Abbott and Costello, but they were too expensive not to mention dead. Thanks for writing, Ann!

Anonymous said...

mark ruffalo is a great choice because he's an everyman. some see him as B-list, but he's a face you always know you've seen before. not too big, not too small, great choice.

Perry Block said...

I knew it was the right name. I just didn't know why. Thanks!