Letter #2

Little Imp,

I have reviewed your profile, and it seems that I have changed my mind. I will mentor you. Surprisingly, you show some real promise. Not like most of the new demons posted to supervised temptorships. You exhibit a refreshing degree of intuition in regards the humans.

I am hopeful we can be of mutual benefit. I shall train you on how to lead these unwary cattle to the slaughter, and you see to it the finer cuts of meat make it to my table.

But we must do something about your writing. Such logorrheic exhibitions of loquacity will no longer be tolerated. Keep your correspondence to the point. I have no time for the small talk you seem so fond of. And that name... Ug... We must shorten it immediately to facilitate this correspondence . I shall call you, Fidi.

So, in addition to your profile, I have read the dossier of your proposed patient. I think this person will be good for you. He is intellectual, elitist, and conservative. He self-educates beyond his professional means, and has no tolerance for dissension among his opinions. He is a challenge.

Which brings me to my first indictment against you, my young Fidi. You inexperience is showing through. Now is the time to take preliminary action. Sources tell me he is considering courses for an upcoming semester in college. His interests suggest he is on some sort of search for "truth". Be careful. Guide his choosing perfectly. Remember your training in propaganda. Have him reject the Truth before even hearing it expounded objectively. Watch his philosophy classes. If he reads a philosopher like Plato, all could be lost. The professors are everything. Subtle nuances and personal biases slipping into the curriculum will have lasting effects that will saturate the worldview he holds for the rest of his life. Even if he does extricate himself from our grasp, residue from the right professors will haunt him still, until the day he dies.

Any and all classes he takes where philosophical positions are addressed must be taught by one of our own. Keep him away from Plato. Only show him the secular meanings of myths. Control him, but he must think he is in firm control of himself. That is key.

Ah, I just read in your patient's dossier where his college of choice is entirely secular. This is good.

Fidi, update me when possible. And remember, Lord Polonius was profoundly correct, brevity is the soul of wit.

You undernourished superior,
Count Apateó̱n