John O'Loughlin's second volume of short prose (after 'A Magnanimous Offer') is entirely manner of speaking in relation to a collection of short stories that deal with subjects as varied as a literary club, a painting of three literary heavyweights, a Camus-inspired monologue by a societal cynic, a projection into a celibate future, and, of course, the title piece, a visit by a prof to the abode of the Devil, who is keen to impress upon him the extent of his sway over contemporary life. Ah!