The Sizzle House nightclub was the location of a convention once a year hosting the Midwestern sector of demons. Like in most large city underworld clubs, the convention was an annual gathering to rally and compare strategies for team evil conquering both human and after life dimensions.

Lucas sat at his desk dictating the upcoming lectures on a recorder device. The gadget was fleshy and rat-like, a mutant creature developed for the sole purpose of voice recall. Lucas held the thin tail within his grip as he spoke into the pointed ears of the tame rodent. The main theme of the convention, 1000 techniques to trap and torture genies.

Perfect manicured fingertips scanned his list of genies who had succumbed to the fate of neutralization. Lucas sighed as his gaze paused at two names scribbled for one genie, Elizabeth Fenmore, also known as Jeanne Wishgiven.

"I thought you'd make it." He said releasing a grunt. "I was looking so forward to tossing you about at the convention and ultimately stealing away your spirit."

Wendy entered the office in a timid manner.

"Have you seen Blake Schram?" She asked gazing about with worry.

"He was around here this morning." Lucas said waving his hand in dismissal.

"No one has seen him around and I have no record of him using the transport-gaps out of here."

"Well, he didn't just disappear." Lucas grumbled.

"I'll search the dance floor. Maybe he indulged a bit too much and wore himself out." Wendy guessed as she hurried away.

Lucas scanned the list, folded it, then placed the wedge in the top drawer of his ornate desk. There were lifelike carvings surrounding the trim, trophies of the various genies that were conquered throughout history. It wasn't until recent that Elizabeth Fenmore was added, her image chiseled along the corner facing him. Her remarkable eyes appeared lifelike as the color was duplicated in a perfect hue. Lucas laughed in a wicked cackle as his evil reverberated throughout the nightclub.

"Soon your team will become mine and we will take hold of everyone human!"

Wendy re-entered the room, concern lining her brow. "Blake is nowhere to be found. Are you certain you didn't send him out on assignment?"

Lucas rolled his eyes with contempt as he scanned the exit chart. "Nope. According to this he should be around here somewhere."

Wendy shook her head with uncertainty. "I've looked for him....."

"Well, look again!" Lucas snapped, as if Wendy were to blame for the missing demon.

Wendy stomped off in a huff as Lucas eyed the doorway to the cellar. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss from below. It was as if a fresh breeze had penetrated centuries of stale air. What was it? He wondered to himself.

Standing from his desk he marched over to the great wall and placed his hand into the door release. For some reason uncertain to him, the entrance remained intact, refusing to allow him access.

"Wendy!" He screamed as she hurried back to his side.

"This won't open." Lucas complained with outrage.

Wendy placed her hand into the cutout and the door swung inward. Lucas inhaled the dank air wafting up from the cellar. "Something from down below is out of place." He said gazing at his assistant. "I want you to figure out exactly what it is and report back to me!"

Wendy taking gradual steps descended the staircase into the darkness below. Lucas returned to the various tasks in preparation of the guests that were due to arrive. He clenched his fist and slammed it onto his desk. Happiness, love and contentment were missing from within the dimension of evil. No matter how many genies were conquered, how much good was destroyed in the human world, how much greed was nurtured, his accomplishments would forever remain empty... empty and hollow just like the soul of him.