Crossroads
A teenage girl makes a deal with the Devil to beat her friend at Pokemon Go
The Devil Went Down to Georgia: now THERE’S an eternal gem. Whether you’re American or across the pond you probably know that foot stompin’ favorite by the Charlie Daniel’s Band. And if you don’t, here’s the recap: it’s the folksie tale of the Devil making a deal witb a young country boy named Johnny, betting his soul for a golden fiddle. A death match for the ages, one which ultimately leaves the Devil with egg on his red, horned face. Surely, one can’t top that. Unless….
Supposed for a second we kept the Devil in the equation (duh!). But replace Johnny with:
Andie – a 13 year old skater, gamer chic.
And swapped out the musical contest to a straightforward deal. Andie trading her young – though quite snarky – soul for…
The temporary power of beating her best pal Benji in Pokemon Go.
Er… record scratch. Andi’s willing to eternally condemn her soul for THAT?
As Anthony Cawood’s short Crossroads opens, the deal’s ready to sign and – er – execute. Though the offer leaves even the Devil himself at a loss for words.
ANDI
So we have a deal?
Satan scans his surroundings, definitely a crossroads. He shakes his head.
SATAN
I mean, I guess.
ANDI
Sweet!
Andi fist pumps. Satan is incredulous.
SATAN
Are you sure you wouldn't rather just
forget about this and go home for
milk and cookies, save your soul?
Andi shakes her head. Satan tries a different tack.
SATAN
Won't your parents be missing you?
ANDI
Snuck out.
SATAN
Of course you did.
All that Andie wants is a frikkin’ Pokemon game hack?!? A perplexed Satan quickly grows annoyed. Flames erupting from his skin, he bellows at this crazy kid:
SATAN
Do you know what the word trivial means?!?
Andie knows – but inexplicably thinks it’s so worth it. When the parchment materializes for her signature – quill dripping with blood – the teen grins ear to ear:
ANDI
Awesome!
SATAN
Jesus!
Satan scowls.
SATAN
Now you've made me invoke his name!
He makes the sign of the cross, elongated and clearly upside down. Andi shrugs.
SATAN
It is not awesome, you little shit,
it is your immortal soul.
ANDI
Yeah, but Benjy's face will be lit.
And with that – the parchment’s signed. The deed is done. Andi’s fate finalized…
Or is it really?
In The Devil Went Down to Georgia, Johnny walked away with a Golden Fiddle – his soul intact. What score will Andi ultimately get in this game from literal Hell?
Read Crossroads, and find out. Directors – this little short does require a touch of makeup FX, and post – but man, it’s got the ingredients to be a classic. A cute little 2024 cinematic counterpart to the Charlie Daniel’s Band itself!