Chapter 3
Jack’s legendary story: The genesis of Halloween
Brandon Pub, Northern Ireland. 1602 A.D.
“Sign this agreement Jack,” the stranger said “and I will buy you as many drinks as you wish”.
“What shall be the agreement?” adolescent Jack said.
“I shall drown you in finest wine” the stranger replied “and you shall sell your soul to me”.
“Is it a joke?” Jack said warily “who you are?”
The stranger glanced around himself to make sure nobody was watching. Then he removed his sinister looking red mask. His pockmarked face looked even more sinister than his mask. His eagle-beak shaped nose appeared to have been broken at two places. His chin and his joint eyebrows as well, had a Devilish V-shape. He removed his red hat momentarily to reveal goat-like horns on his head. He wore back his mask and hat quickly.
Mr. Jack was stunned to find that he was confronting none other than the Devil himself.
“Nonsense!” Jack shot back, while still composing himself “in return for one time favor, you want my soul? You think my soul is so cheap; a disposable diaper I suppose!?” Jack snapped angrily “Don’t you suppose it will be much more sensible for me to buy my own drinks instead?” Jack looked at Devil with contempt and then called aloud “Waiter!”
A tall, one-eyed man with a grave face came forward, and asked solemnly "May I help you Jack?”
“A large mug of strong whisky please” Jack said.
“With pleasure, Sir” the barman said gruffly “drinking is good for health. It increases appetite, cures insomnia, and makes the burdened mind relaxed” he offered his unsolicited advice. Finding that Jack was not quite impressed with such valuable advice being offered absolutely free, he felt deeply offended. He looked at Jack with an expression of ‘you ungrateful swine’ on his face.
He continued to peruse embarrassed Jack’s face like a thought-reader, and said, “My job demands me to be more professional than friendly. Would you mind, paying in advance?”
Jack hesitated momentarily, then searched his pockets, pulled out a few coins and offered them.
“That’s insufficient for even a quarter of a glass of cheapest rum” the waiter said with a nasty gruff and tossed them back.
Jack sighed with deep disappointment.
Jack searched his pockets again, but didn’t find another coin.
The waiter gave a nasty grin and said “Let me give you a friendly advice: drinking is bad for youngsters. You are too young to get drunk”.
“I am already seventeen” Jack replied, “I have attained legal drinking age”.
“I am not much bothered about your age” the waiter replied “but I am really bothered that you can’t pay for another round, leave alone any handsome tips for me. So, please excuse me. Have a good night”.
The barman left abruptly to attend another customer.
“Don’t let his words break your heart, Jack” Devil said “it’s just his duty his to keep an eye on everyone in this pub”.
“I’m sure he keeps an eye on everything” Jack mocked at Devil’s insincere sympathy “it has to be an eye only” Jack said, pointing at one of his eyes “in case you haven’t noticed!”
Jack called the waiter back and said “I can’t pay the outright amount, right now. But trust me; I shall pay it next time”.
The expression on the face of the barman changed.
“I know how to deal with penniless customers like you” the barman said with a stern voice “Get out peacefully before I kick you out”.
The barman left angrily, uttering obscene slang.
Jack sat gloomily, looking depressed.
Devil patted Jack’s shoulder lightly, and said with a friendly tone “Never mind his rude words. I will offer you a free drink”.
Jack’s face brightened up. But the very next moment, the joy faded from his face. “No, but thanks!” Jack replied gloomily.
“I am well aware that…” Devil said “…without a strong drink, you will have to toss and turn in your bed miserably tonight, getting neither any sleep, nor any relief from your raging sorrows. A whole night of bitter torment! Like a gasping fish out of water”.
Jack remained silent, and looked extremely uneasy.
“Now come on Jack” Devil said “why won’t you accept my friendly offer?”
Jack fell silent, holding his chin, lost in deep thoughts. A few moments later, Jack said, “If it’s only a friendly offer and not a bargain, then I accept your friendly offer, and shall remain grateful”.
“I don't want you to remain grateful” Devil objected bluntly “All I want is your signature”.
Devil unfolded and stretched a parchment on the old wooden table. Then he picked up an ashtray and an empty bottle of rum from the table and placed them on both ends of the parchment to keep it stretched.
He took out a feather quill and a small inkwell from his red overcoat pocket. He dipped the quill in blood-red ink, and offered the quill with a smile.
Devil bent his forefinger and tapped at the bottom of the parchment "Now sign here please! Then drink merrily like a fish".
Jack held the quill and stared blankly at the parchment.
Next moment, Jack stood up abruptly. “I have changed my mind” Jack said, “I must leave now”.
Jack took a few steps towards the door and stopped near the threshold. He couldn’t take another step forward. He clutched his head with both his hands, and stood silently in a deep dilemma. He jealously stared at an old man sitting alone in one corner and merrily drinking from his large mug.
A few moments later, Jack turned back and occupied his seat.
Devil was keenly observing Jack. "Why you are so afraid to sell your soul Jack?” Devil said.
“The price you ask for a drink is absolutely unacceptable” Jack complained.
“Why do you regard your soul as so precious?” Devil said, “Go to any grocery shop or a moneylender and try to barter your soul. Would you get a penny for it?”
Devil pulled out an oversized black cigar from his overcoat pocket and lighted it. He puffed at it from the corner of his lip, through the small opening of his red mask.
Drumming his fingers on the table, Devil said, “Only generous people like me, trade for such worthless stuff, with the sole intention of helping people in distress”.
“If helping people is your sole intention, why do you bargain for something?”
“Simply to make them feel that they have traded something” Devil said “You can always hold your head high by feeling like a trading partner and not a beggar". Making a smoke ring, Devil said “But for me, it is like selling a prime land or a precious diamond for a penny, just for the sake of making a deal”.
“Now don’t worry Jack” Devil assured “people at your young age should be fearless. So leave aside all your worries-you will lose nothing by signing this”.
Devil rolled up the parchment, got up, and announced in a warning tone “Well, this is my offer. Either accept it or leave it. I am leaving now”.
Jack’s was craving for drink; just like an unfortunate traveler lost in the scorching dry desert craves for water. The more he struggled with his inner self to say ‘no’, the more desperate he became to grasp the offer, which was now slipping from his fingers. Jack had no time to ponder. He had to decide immediately.
“I can't sign my name” Jack said “If I put my thumb impression, will it be enough?”
“No problem!” Devil replied “but put your thumb impression with this red ink”.
"I shall put my thumb impression. But I have one condition” Jack said “since you demand my soul as your payment, I too demand you as the bartender's payment. I mean, not your money, but you yourself".
"What do you mean by saying, ‘I should be bartender's payment’? I don’t understand". The burning cigar dropped from Devil’s fingers, perhaps in surprise or in deep confusion.
“I heard that the Devil could transfigu
re according to his will. I want to see it through my own eyes” Jack said. “You transform into a coin with which I can pay the bartender. And when the bartender falls asleep…” Jack explained “… You can change back to your original form and escape”.
“Is there any particular reason behind this uncommon wish?” Devil demanded. The way he stared at Jack through his mask confirmed Devil’s deep suspicion. He perused Jack’s adolescent face silently, trying to reach a decision, and then nodded his head. “You wish to see me change into a coin?” Devil asked in a soft tone “Is that all you wish?”
“Yes!” Jack replied. “The miser barman keeps a vigilant account of each and every penny. I would love to see the rascal barman lamenting over unaccounted loss of money when he wakes up. It will be such a fun! Can you imagine: The waiter refused to offer a drink to a known person like me?"
The Devil must have thought: it’s just a silly request to see some magical transformation, before selling his soul forever! Or maybe, he just wants to play some trick with the barman to have his revenge. In any case, it is a great opportunity for me! A soul for eternity in return for a little magic and a one-time drink! I simply can't miss this opportunity!
Having made up his mind, Devil called aloud "Waiter! Two mugs of strong drink for both of us!"
* * *
Half an hour later, Jack was staggering towards his way home. As usual, he held a pumpkin-carved lantern, with a glowing lamp inside. It emitted a ghostly flickering light, illuminating the dark as he stumbled along the cobbled road.
A subdued but shrill voice was emerging from Jack’s pocket “Oh please remove your silver crucifix-it's hurting! Take me out of your pocket”. It sounded like an earnest pleading. “Please set me free. I wish to transform back again”.
“Oh really?!” Jack mocked “But why should I let you go free so easily?” Jack let out his scoff and ridicule through a laughter, and said “To let you help people in distress in return for their soul, I suppose?!” Jack focused much emphasis on the word ‘help’.
Jack turned a deaf ear to all those begging for sympathy.
“Please set me free. Please...” the pleading tone changed to a cry for pity.
“When somebody is under your power” Jack said “they say figuratively ‘the person is in your pocket’. Now I have the ‘Father of evil’ in my pocket; literally. Stay forever deep in my pocket as my pocket money. Besides, a talking coin is cool”.
However, after a while, Jack lost his cool and looked irritated from the non-stop whining and pleadings. Jack placed his hand on his pocket. “You made a deal. Now it's my turn!”
“Oh whatever you wish” the voice emerged again from Jack’s pocket “this crucifix is burning my skin!”
“Of course it will burn the skin” Jack said, “crucifix is supposed to fix the Devil. That’s why I have placed you with my crucifix inside my pocket, so that you can’t transform back”.
“Please set me free” a shrill pleading emerged again from Jack’s pocket.
“Then promise me that you won't come back to bother me for one year” Jack said.
“Oh yes; of course. I agree!”
“Well then, that's a deal. I set you free now.” Jack took out the coin from his pocket, and tossed it on the side of the road.
* * *
Jack went to bed, rejoicing at the thought of outwitting the Devil, and having at Devil’s expense enough drinks for a peaceful night’s sleep.
At that moment, Jack had forgotten all his miseries and sorrows of his daily life. He was only thinking how cleverly he got rid of the Devil, possibly forever. After all, Devil will simply forget their trivial encounter within one year. Jack felt merry as a bird, as he pulled over his blanket.
* * *
Tap! Tap! Tap! There was a knock at the door.
Jack woke up rubbing his eyes, looking confused. He did not feel so happy now. He had a hangover from last night's heavy drinking, and a throbbing, aching head.
Thud! Thud! Thud...! The knocking at the door turned to banging, and was now loud as gunshot.
Jack recoiled with fear. He jumped out of bed, muttering “oh my God! He has come again, so early in the morning! This is a bolt from the blue!”
Thudd! Thuddd...! Clank............the latch broke and the door flung open.
Standing outside was a man of medium height and strong built, dressed like a hunter. He was wearing a khaki hat and khaki half-pant and carrying a country made double-barreled gun.
Without any formality, he stormed inside and holding the barrel at Jack's chin, he demanded angrily “well Jack? Have you arranged it yet?”
“Oh please Sir, give me some more time” Jack pleaded “I shall repay every penny!”
The man struck Jack with the butt without any warning. Jack fell on the floor and screamed “Ooouchh!” He writhed in pain holding his chin and nose, as blood gushed out.
“That's a lesson for you! I don't want to hear excuses. I shall break every bone of your body, the next time we meet”.
Jack lay on the floor clutching his jaw tightly in agony.
“I give you three days’ time, Jack”. He softened his voice and whispered “why don't you sell your agricultural land to me? You shall get a good price for that worthless chunk”. There was a glint of greed shining at the corner of his eyes.
“Oh please Sir! That's the only piece of my ancestral land left” Jack pleaded “and besides, my part-time job as a blacksmith hardly provides enough to feed myself. I shall starve to death. I simply can’t afford to part with that land”.
“Very well, then! Pay your debt immediately!” He pointed his gun on Jack's head “you can't hide your money from me, you swine!”
“I am not hiding my money” Jack was desperate “whatever I had; I spent on the treatment of my sister. I spent all my money. Due to grinding poverty, I couldn't even continue the life-saving treatment...” Jack's voice choked with deep emotion.
After the moneylender left, Jack appeared helpless and almost collapsing with grief. He took out an old withered parchment from the drawer and looked at his twin sister’s face. Tears rolled down his cheek in her sad memory.
Ever since Jack’s father died, leaving him and his sister completely orphaned and penniless, Jack had been struggling to keep himself and his sister alive. And after the untimely demise of his beloved sister, Jack didn’t even have a shoulder to cry on. It was then that Jack started drinking in his late teens.
Jack felt a compelling urge for a swig of strong drink, to drown all his sorrows. He couldn't bear to think of pawning his only plot of land to his moneylender.
Jack decided to visit Barbarossa, his childhood friend. Surely, he may be able to suggest a way out, or arrange a suitable buyer. Even if he had to pawn with his last piece of land, Jack was determined that it shouldn't fall into the hands of his greedy moneylender.
* * *
One year is a long time-span, long enough to erase an incident from human mind.
One year is a short time-span, too short to erase an incident from Devil’s mind.
Therefore when Jack met Devil again, he was unprepared for fresh trouble. Devil, on the other hand, was fully prepared for a bout, fortified with a vow, not to be tricked by Jack again.
“Good morning Jack. I am sure, you are glad to meet me again!”
“Oh yes! Glad to meet you”. Jack stammered; his voice conveyed a feeling of deep uneasiness. Devil’s face was the last thing on earth Jack might have wished to see, especially without a mask. How horribly evil the face looked!
“I hope you are fine!” Jack said, while looking desperately for a way to slip away.
“Thanks for enquiring about my health” Devil said with a nasty grin “Why don’t you let me join your company? We can walk together. After all, we are walking in the same direction”.
“You mean you are traveling to the village pub with me?” Jack asked hopefully.
“A bit further. Towards hell, to be more precise! The
path to the bar, ultimately leads there anyway”.
“To hell?! At this fine morning hour! You must be joking!”
“No, my dear friend! I have been waiting impatiently for this moment for whole one year. Your exemption period expired yesterday midnight. And, by the way, I still hold that agreement parchment with your thumb impression”.
“But, I haven’t taken my breakfast yet. And I am feeling awfully hungry” Jack said, “Why don’t we stop at the bar, have some breakfast, and one round of drinks?”
“I wish I had laced your drinks with deadly hemlock juice or arsenic last time” Devil said. His face turned fierce like a hungry, attacking wolf “You would have got what you deserved for cheating and drinking at my expense. But I am awfully sorry now, my dear friend” Devil said “Not another round of drinks now. You can’t trick me with drinks a second time”.
“At least, we can stop at a plain restaurant, so that I can fill my stomach?” Jack pleaded. His tone indicated that his hopes were dying.
“Sorry Jack! My carriage waits outside the village. So, let’s walk faster and you can have a small welcome meal at the banquet hall of Hell” Devil spoke in a determined tone.
Without hoping for any concession from the Devil, Jack resigned to his fate.
Soon they crossed the village-pub, the windmill, the village signpost, and were now walking by cherry and apple orchards.
“I am almost starving” Jack said, eyeing the ripe apples “would you kindly allow me to eat a few apples?”
“Why not?” Devil sneered, “I’ll love to see you munching those apples and cherries and this tasty fruitcake too!” Devil said with a bitterly sarcastic tone, holding a small cake.
“Really?” Jack said hopefully.
“No!” Devil replied. The cake crushed in Devil’s palm. A grinding sound emerged from Devil’s jaw, and his jaw muscles twitched.
“Only a few apples, Sir” Jack pleaded, “Please Sir.”
Devil kept his mouth tightly shut and grinded his teeth.
“I heard that you generously let Adam eat the juicy fruit when god kept him hungry” Jack said “Be generous to me sir”.
The expression on Devil’s face changed visibly. The hard lines on his face softened, as if by some pleasant remembrance of the past.
“Alright, but be quick. I don’t want to be late” Devil replied “and I warn you Jack, this is the last time you are seeing sunlight. Smell the fresh air and fill your lungs to the utmost. Henceforth, you’ll live with these memories only, draped in dungeon chains”.
Christmas Jack-o'-Lantern Page 3
