All young demons in training must consider for a brief moment the legend of Pandora, and the myth which lay behind it.
After Prometheus stole fire from the gods, they conspired against his brother, Epimetheus. They "gifted" him with a beautiful creature, a feminine model for the modern age. She (Pandora) in her role as that gift, was given a jar, with "other gifts from the gods."
She was commanded never to open the jar. We all know how that worked out. On opening it, she let loose all the plagues of death upon mankind. in seeing them escape, she slammed the lid of the jar shut, capturing that one last "gift" to mankind...Hope.
Hope is an extraordinary gift, but truth be told, it was never captured. It was released as first among the many plagues, as nothing tastes better in the mouth of our Father below than a tormented soul who has managed to season itself with that delicious spice. Think Jerked Chicken, then add ground red pepper and cumin.
Consider for a moment the souls which you are attempting to capture for our master. Their hope is what keeps them alive and going in times of mortal despair. Take every priceless possession a man has, his job, his house, his livelihood, his family, and he will still cling on to that slight chance of improvement. If you show him his life is hopeless, he will turn his attention toward our enemy above, and offer his soul.
That will not be permitted. Repercussions are swift and severe. You will forced to become the mate of Yoko Ono, when she arrives, and have to enjoy her singing.
In all things, let there remain the slightest chance, the vaguest glimmer of hope. This allows you to hold that soul longer, and pile on further and further sins that will be forgotten, even in the event of an eventual lapse toward our sworn enemy. One or two of these might be enough to ensure his involuntary enrollment in our Legion.
In the words of a certain leader of North America, "Keep Hope Alive."
