A Tarnished Halo
"For fools rush in where angels have fallen through the floorboards once already . . ."
"The Infernal, Making a Deal"
"What's the hardest part of the job? No question. Y'see, most of the 'clients' I deal with were already lined up to be using our Eternal services anyway."
"So it's not just a matter of getting a name on a contract. That shit's on lockdown. The real challenge in the game is finding ways for them to
. . . what's the best way to put this? Cash out early."
I. "On the Edges"
Not that it matters, but who is that in the photos?
This is Anne Lindfjeld. Wikipedia describes her as a Danish Metal Chick and Pin-Up Model, and notes that she is a presenter for MTV Denmark. It goes on to dish on things you might just have picked up right from the picture, or at least said, "Yeah, I can see that": Suicide Girl, tattoo and motorcycle magazine model, host of the Danish version of "Headbanger's Ball".
What's the attraction?
See that eye on the beholder? Beauty is still in there somewhere. We're talking about someone who doesn't look "safe." And no matter how "dangerous" you know or think yourself to be, there's always someone who is more dangerous than you are.
What's the angle?
It depends on where in the range from "Fugitive" to "Operative in Good Standing" our Infernal falls on Hell's "Current Engagement" scale. Without intending to stereotype, a connection with the edges of polite society – one fitting the appearance she has currently assumed – is most in order. Examples include slinging beer to the dregs of humanity from behind a bar, or being the one marking them up with ink and needles once they get too drunk to have any damned sense. Either way, there is a clear connection between her and just the sort of souls Perdition hopes will swell its ranks and power for the next go-round with the people upstairs. Whenever that might be. On the whole, I think that beats the hell out of picturing her as a rocked-out nun or some such.
This is a new observation, but in the same manner that her sister Infernal from High Street (portrayed below) might have to don leather and boots to help track down a lead on the wrong side of the tracks, there is no reason why our girl from Skid Row couldn't clean up and get "pretty" if it were absolutely necessary for a case. I promise it would "only" be for as long as it took to follow up on a tip, but sometimes you have to go places where "looking the part" is vital. It's important to remember that culture clashes are terrific sources for both drama and comedy.
Where are the stories going?
Conflict: Even after you dispense with the notion that there is outright enmity between the Celestials and Infernals who work Earth's plane in the Modern Day – and you can, because there isn't – there is bound to be lingering tension between two beings who came down on opposite sides of the greatest conflict in the history of the Cosmos. That tension can only really be multiplied when the two find themselves joined at the hip for some case or caper serving the interests of their respective teams. There's nothing that brings out the professional rivalry in two agents more than trying to achieve the same goal for decidedly different reasons, and having different methods for doing so to boot.
Humor: By now, you may have noticed I put something of a premium on being able to laugh while I enjoy myself writing with a like-minded partner. The only reason I didn't list humor first this time around is that this pairing brings to the fore the most classic of conflicts, even if I have a non-traditional view on how it is playing out these days. Still, the pairing also has all of the elements of "buddy film gone wrong" that any such pairing could expect to have. All of those differences between the "Manual of Standard Operating Procedures" that his side uses and her side uses aren't going to cause grousing and sideways glances all the time. And even if they do, it's still bound to rate high on the Unintentional Comedy Scale. Just the notion of undercover work or ("God" forbid) genuine teamwork has "hilarity ensues" written all over it.
Casual: Well, something has to fill all of that time spent on a stake-out.
"So if you were to listen to most of the so-called 'beautiful' people in a town like L.A. – and I don't recommend it – when the time comes for them to
. . . hmmm, 'pay their bills' . . . they'd have you believe that they had never read the 'fine print' in the contract."
"Of course, this is pure bullshit. In fact, most of them read everything twice, ask about that particular point, and then sign it anyway. It just goes to show you most people don't miss something they never thought they had until it's time to part with it."
II. "Uptown Girl . . . Relatively Speaking"
Not that it matters, but who is that in the photos?
Meet Sophia Santi – formerly known as Natalia Cruze. If you happen to be using this info as a basis to photo surf (and I don't blame you if you are) you'll probably want to focus your attention on "adult" film actress Sophia Santi and not on "legitimate" film actress Sophia Santi. Yeah, it caught me off-guard too, and I mostly knew what I was trying to find. As stated previously, Ms. Santi does porn. Hey, don't judge me – especially if you found your way here from most of the places where I have this site linked.
What's the attraction?
Something about the claimed ethnic mix – Cherokee, Irish, German, Romani, Mongolian, and African – supplies an exotic elegance that I appreciate. (Everyone is from somewhere, but it's hard to look like you're from everywhere without some help from beyond.) If it's your kind of thing and you find the right picture of it, there's also the back tattoo. Go ahead and search away. I'll wait.
I know, right? In any event, it's not the kind of thing you'd bare for the judge in open court, but as an indication you're so high-powered that you don't care how most other people (who'd be beneath you anyway even if you weren't also an operative of some standing from the Lower Planes) perceive you says so many things, and most of them are hot.
What's the angle?
In towns like L.A., Vegas, or the NYC, she has fingers in a number of pies. Lawyer, financial wizard, talent agent – perhaps even in one package. The fact notwithstanding that she knows where a lot of people have buried the bodies – both figuratively and literally – she is a pillar of society, either in an absolute sense, or if we're grading on a curve. Everyone in the Cosmos is working every side of the street they can. So why not?
In that regard, our more well-heeled Infernal is more likely still to be on the payroll of masters in the nether regions than she is to be an outright fugitive. In the kinds of places where money and fame intersect, there are plenty of deadly sins to be practiced – and leveraged in the secret battle for souls. Infernals who run circuits like Wall Street and Hollywood generally either toe the company line or get muscled out by those who are more willing to do so. With that said, there is no doubt room for her to be operating as a free agent – and looking to protect her turf.
Where are the stories going?
Surprisingly or not, the basic story lines don't change appreciably when the Infernal goes from being a continuing student in the School of Hard Knocks to being a graduate of Harvard Law and the Wharton School. Circumstances still make for odd partnerships, as do the things that happen when your methods and those of someone from the opposite side of Limbo are found to be more alike than either of you would like to admit.
The main differences are going to center on those that separate the one percent from the ninety-nine percent. For example, "uptown" scenes will find more sources of conflict in things like legal drama and business negotiation than they will in flat-out fistfights. Don't worry, that's "less likely to include knife play and bar brawls" as opposed to "not at all likely to include knife play and bar brawls." When you're on the tail of some rogue operative from one side or the other, you're bound to end up in both high places and low places. And no story is complete without someone giving someone else advice on where to put your thumb when making a fist.