Editing Escape Clause (section)

==Plot==
Walter Bedeker, a paranoid and self-absorbed [[hypochondria]]c, is convinced his wife Ethel and his doctor (who insists Bedeker is in good health) are conspiring to kill him by purposely making him sick. After they leave, a large rotund man calling himself [[Cadwaladr (name)|Cadwallader]] appears in Bedeker's room, offering him [[immortality]] and a near-total halt to his physical aging. Bedeker guesses Cadwallader's true identity ([[Mephistopheles|the Devil]]) but is unafraid. He haggles with Cadwallader, who admits he wants Bedeker's soul and accurately points out the other will never miss it or notice when it's gone.

Cadwallader inserts an [[escape clause]] allowing Bedeker to summon him at any time if he chooses to die. Bedeker is suspicious but after Cadwallader leaves, he tests his new power by placing his hands on a hot radiator and finding them uninjured, then throws all his medicines out of a window, to Ethel's surprise.

Bedeker uses his newfound [[invulnerability]] to commit [[insurance fraud]], claiming false [[Settlement (litigation)|settlements]], and garnering cheap thrills by hurling himself into life-threatening accidents. After doing so 14 times, he concludes that the absence of risk and fear has made his life a dreadful bore. He purposely mixes a concoction of poisonous household liquids and drinks it, shocking Ethel, but it has no effect on him at all. Bedeker explains his situation to Ethel, admonishing her that if she had any imagination, she would find some way for him to experience some excitement. Proclaiming he is going to jump down the [[lightwell]] of their apartment building, Ethel futilely tries to stop him, tragically falling to her own demise.

Bedeker calmly calls the police, confessing to [[murder]]ing Ethel. He is arrested and brought to trial. He hopes to experience the [[electric chair]]. However, due to his lawyer's defense strategy, he is instead sentenced to life in prison without parole. Cadwallader appears in Bedeker's [[jail]] cell to remind him of the escape clause. Realizing he will face eternity in prison if he does not use it, Bedeker nods and immediately suffers a fatal [[Myocardial Infarction|heart attack]]. The guard discovers his lifeless body and sighs, "Poor devil … ."