MEPHISTOPHELES

They tried to tell me that all of this was free. But I've realised I'm paying for it with my soul.

One more Hungry Jacks ad, then YouTube will let me watch that prank video.

They don't hand out welfare payments without taking your freedoms.

I know that I'm a test subject in their experiment. A data point to trial the efficacy of their drugs and propaganda. And honestly I think that's preferable to thinking for myself.

"Give me liberty, or give me death"? No thank you.

Your old-world heroes have no place in our modern mythology.

I idolise the sloths and the gluttons, the celebrities and the satanists.

Tell me how to get $5 grand. Who do I need to sell out? Which grave do I need to desecrate?

I sacrificed my children at the trans altar.

I sacrificed my dream for the corporation.

I sacrificed my life with you for three more years of cocaine and sunrises.

The TV tells me it was worth it.

My highschool congratulates me on my success.

The caliber of the individual is determined by their LinkedIn profile. And the value of a moment is dictated by how many likes it gets on Instagram.

My life is a series of YouTube shorts and TikTok videos.

Don't talk to me if you're not famous.

Don't tag me if you don't have followers.

Don't invite me to your party unless it'll grow my clout.

All my friends are personal brands and you're just a normal loser.

You're too slow.

And I don't care if the Renaissance artists told us to be patient. It's 2023. Empires are built in a single day. All artistry is AI. The backing track is pre-recorded and the vocals are auto-tuned. I don't need to go to school. Google gives me the government-approved facts. I don't want to be patient. I don't want to work hard. I don't want to sit down for 10 hours a day and focus.

I took the deal. Exchanged my soul for fleeting pleasures. And now every day is the same. Every day's about me. And what are are you doing? Working on your own St Peter's Basilica? Don't waste your time. It's ephemeral. It'll crumble. Today the world's all fast-fashion and summer flings. We don't want something original. We want a remake of a remake of a remake. Make the budget bigger and music louder. Don't waste your time.

Make the deal.