Have you hugged The Devil today?

I was well received by The Devil this morning. A warm embrace and polite chit chat cannot distract me from what I know of the man who lies beneath. However, I can fake it with the best of them. I asked after his daughter and her children, knowing that they had moved back home after separating from The Devil's Son-in-Law. Poor Son-in -law is much too nice and too ordinary for this Princess. She broke his heart, telling him "He no longer made her shine". Unfortunately for him, his Devil Father-in-Law had persuaded him to close his own construction business and join the family firm. He was screwed up and down.
I waited before asking about the Russian girl friend. These things have a way of changing over time and I wasn't sure of her name, anyway. I thought I'd handle that if I saw her. I was left alone with Dave "The Minion" and asked if Ivana/whoever was still around. "Drug Overdose" was the response. She's GONE, as in Dead and...I had heard rumors that she was into drugs but tended to put that down to disgruntled bitching, as the new potential Step-Mom was younger than the children of the Devil's direct lineage.
Masons were building away; extending out the pool patio to create a new gathering area; constructing the bones of a fireplace with nary a master-plan or permit in sight. Cheap labor, some cement blocks and another monstrosity in the making. Add some MORE fake cement columns to garnish the seating area, already surrounded by OODLES of fake cement balustrades and, as I told TD, the whole thing is so cold and overdone that it is more like a banquet room in a hotel than a personal space. (My opinions are free, remember, and people do ask:)
I think he saw some reason. He said I was right. From past experience he can always change his mind (ten million times) and there is always prodding from Minion Dave, the troll-man who has his ear and tells lies about everything and everyone to maintain his power.
Next up discussion of the trip to France. The Devil will be meeting Arnold in Paris and traveling together to Afghanistan, to visit with the Troops. Somebody's Image Consultant has been working hard. Arnold does need to rehabilitate his image. Apparently the press in Europe are kinder than here. He needs a break from the bashing he's been getting. I can't feel too sorry for him.