The Ashwell Challenge: An Anthology

The Demons' Code

by T. L. Ashwell

*Author Note: The format of this story is meant to replicate a computer code and may be difficult to read on mobile. A mobile friendly version is available at the external link.*

#!/usr/bin/python
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Created By: Belphegor
# Creation Date: 2/20/1991
# version = '0.0'
#
# The lines beginning with # are comments. Computers will pass 
# through them, but they are my notes. As a demon, part of my job is
# tricking people. To make my life and work easier, I made this code.
# My design is simple. The framework is based on the seven sins. The 
# first step is to figure out what kind of sins the target has, then call 
# specific functions to focus in on that sin.
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# Import the functions that already exist but in other files here. Use the
# beginning "import" to call the function.

import random 

# Call the random function that already exists. It will be helpful for me
# to select my target.

from hellPossibility import possibilityToGoToHell 

# This is my code that detects whether a person may # end up in Hell or
# not. It returns a number between 0 and 1. One means they will come
# to Hell for sure.

from demonSkill import whisper 

# This function can whisper my voice into people's minds.

from demonSkill import character 

# This function to create a list for a person's characteristics.

from demonSkill import valueUp 

# This function makes a topic more valuable and popular.

from addedCode import detectSins 

# Ugh! Why did I do this to myself? Didn't have to waste effort on
# unnecessary specificity. But I made this function to analyze people's
# sins. This function returns a list of percentage breakdown of the
# target's 7 sins. I normalized them so that the sum of all numbers is 1.
# A larger number means the sin is more common for this person.

def pride(Target):

           # It is the function to target prideful people. "Target" is the 
          # person's information that serves as input for the function. When 
          # will people show their pride? When people feel challenged, 
          # and their positions are in danger. Hehehehe.

          GDPGrows = 0.5%

          CPIrate = 8% 

          # I need to set up the economic situation to be terrible. When
          # resources are abundant and people feel comfortable in their life,
          # they are more likely to be happy and satisfied. People are more
          # willing to share and help others. In a hard time, students will be
          # more challenged to get into their ideal school, employees will be
          # more likely to lose their jobs.

         targetPerson = Target

         while character(targetPerson) == character(Target):