So there was this engineer who was tragically hit
by a bus and killed instantly. He had lead a good
life, but for some reason he found himself, rather
than at the pearly gates, in the Other Place. Not
one to complain, he shrugged and submitted himself
to the tortures and other indignities common in
Hell.

Soon after he arrived, there was a problem with
one of the many furnaces--the engineer was happy
to help out (he volunteered--wanted the challenge)
and before long it was up and running again. This
brought him to the attention of one of the senior
demons that then had him working all over Hell
fixing the torture devices, working out the kinks
in the plumbing system, installing digital
controls to the flame throwers . . . you name it.
Pretty soon word reached Satan that Hell had a
great new addition to the team. The engineer then
got taken under the Boss' wing (so to speak) as
he planned and oversaw the creation of a giant new
computer network. Pretty soon, word of all these
improvements reached Heaven.

God was pretty upset about all this, and he had
St. Peter look into the details (it had been a
computer error--the engineer had been destined for
one of the mid levels of Heaven). So God called
Satan up and told him he wanted the engineer
back.

"Nothing doing," said Satan, "You sent him down
here, and we're keeping him!"

"What?" sputtered God, "You get him up here
right now! That's a direct Order!"

"Listen pal, I don't take orders from you any
more. Remember that 'rule in hell' agreement?"
God was beside himself. "If you don't send that
engineer up here right now, I'll . . . I'll sue
you!"

"Oh, sure!" Satan shot back gleefully. "Where
are you going to get a lawyer?"