ROSE DALE MISSISSIPPI
1930

Robert Johnson's kneels in the dust at the dead center of the crossroads. He buries a rough sack tied with a string. He wears a hat and a brown blazer and has a guitar slung around his back. He stands. Suddenly behind him is a beautiful young woman in a white dress; he turns and sees her.

"Holy" Robert Says

"Holy?, Guess again" The Demon says as her eyes turns red as she walks slowly towards him on bare feet.

"I want to play guitar. I want you to make me the best blues man ever lived." Robert Says as She places a hand gently on his cheek.

"If that's what you want." The Demon Says as He nods and She smiles.

"So... how do we... do we shake on it?" Robert Says
As She shakes her head, still smiling, and pulls him in for a deep kiss. When she pulls back, his eyes are closed for a moment. He opens them slowly, and he is alone. He pulls his guitar into his hands and caresses it.

__________________________________
CROSSROADS-PRESENT DAY

"So it's just like the Robert Johnson legend, right? I mean, selling your soul at the crossroads, kind of deal?" Sam Says

"Yeah, except that wasn't a legend. I mean, you know his music. Sam shrugs, You don't know Robert Johnson's songs? Elena You ?" Dean Says

"I know a couple" Elena Says

"Sam, there's, there's occult references all over his lyrics, I mean, Crossroad Blues? Me and the Devil Blues? Hellhound on My Trail?, Sam frowns, and Dean rolls his eyes. The story goes, he died choking on his own blood, he was hallucinating, and muttering about big evil dogs." Dean Says

"And now it's happening all over again." Sam Says

"Yeah." Dean Says

"We've gotta figure out if anyone else struck any bargains around here." Sam Says

"Great. So we've gotta clean up these peoples' mess for 'em? I mean, they're not exactly squeaky clean. Nobody put a gun to their head and forced 'em to play Let's Make A Deal." Dean Says

"So what, we should just leave them to die?" Elena Says

"Somebody goes over Niagara in a barrel, you gonna jump in and try to save 'em?" Dean Says

"Dean." Elena Says

"All right. Fine Rituals like this, you've got to put your own photo into the mix, right? So this guy probably summoned this thing, let's go and see if anyone inside knows him. If he's still alive." Dean Says

__________________________________
DARROW HOME

Sam and Dean and Elena are walking up a set of wide, wooden stairs to the fourth floor of an apartment building.

"What's this guy's name again?" Sam Asks

"George Darrow. Apparently quite the regular at Lloyd's. Though this house probably ain't up next on MTV Cribs, is it?" Dean Says

"Yeah. So whatever kind of deal he made," Sam Says

"Wasn't for cash. Oh, who knows. Maybe this place is full of babes in Princess Leia bikinis. Elena Sighs,
No, I'm just saying, this guy's got one epic bill come due. Hope at least he asked for something fun." Dean Says As They reach the landing and stop in front of apartment 4C. The floor is dusted with a fine black powder.

"Look at that." Elena Says as they all crouch down touching the powder

"What is that, pepper?" Dean Asks As The door opens to reveal George - a middle-aged man with graying hair, wearing a grimy t-shirt and open button-down.

"Who the hell are you?" George Asks

"George Darrow?" Dean Asks

"I'm not buying anything." George Says

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, looks like you went for the wrong shaker there. Heh. Usually when you want to keep something evil out you go for the salt." Dean Says

"I don't know what you talkin' about." George Says

"Talkin' about this,he holds up the small picture
Tell me. You seen that Hellhound yet?" Dean Says

"Look. We want to help. Please. Just five minutes." Sam Says

Inside His Apartment, George shows them in and pours himself a glass of whisky. The studio apartment is filled with paintings, completed and half-finished, and a table holds painting supplies.

"So what is that stuff out front?" Sam Asks

"Goofer Dusk.they Stare at him blankly, What, you guys think you know somethin' about somethin' but not Goofer dust?" George Says As He tosses Dean a brown sack, tied close with twine. He catches it.

"Well, we know a little about a lot of things. Just enough to make us dangerous." Dean Says

"What is it?" Elena Asks

"Hoodoo. My grandma taught me. Keeps out demons." George Says

"Demons we know." Dean Says

"Well, then. Maybe it'll do you some good.He walks over to a chair,Four minutes left." George Says as Dean looks over at Sam who continues talking

"Mr. Darrow. We know you're in trouble." Sam Says

"Yeah, that you got yourself into." Dean Says as Elena elbows him in the stomach

He looks at Dean, "But it's not hopeless, all right? There's gotta be something we can do." Sam Says

"Listen. I get that you guys want to help. But sometimes a person makes their bed, they've just got to lie down in it. I'm the one called that demon in the first place." George Says

"What'd you do it for?" Dean Asks

"I was weak. I mean, who don't want to be great? Who don't want their life to mean something? I just... I just never thought about the price." George Says

"Was it worth it?" Elena Asks

"Hell no. 'Course, I asked for talent. Shoulda gone for fame. I'm still broke, and lonely. Just now I got this pile of paintings don't nobody want. But that wasn't the worst." George Says

"Go on." Sam Says

"Demon didn't leave. I never counted on that. After our deal was done the damn thing stayed at Lloyd's for a week. Just chattin'. Makin' more deals. I tried to warn folks, but, I mean who's goin' to listen to an old drunk?" George Says

"How many others are there?" Sam Asks

"Uh, the architect, that doctor lady — I kept up with them, they've been in the papers. Least they got famous." George Says

"Who else, George? Come on, think." Dean Says

"One more. Uh, nice guy too. Hudson. Evan, I think. I don't know what he asked for. Don't matter now. We done for." George Says

"No. No, there's gotta be a way." Sam Says

"You don't get it! I don't want a way!" George Says

"Look, you don't -" Sam Says

"I called that thing! I brought it on myself. I brought it on them. I'm going to hell, one way or another. All I want is to finish my last painting. Day or two, I'm done. I'm just trying to hold them off 'till then. Buy a little time. Okay, Guys it's Time you went, go help somebody that wants help." George Says

"We can't just —" Sam Says

"Get out! I got work to do." George Says

"You don't really want to die do you?" Elena Asks

"I don't? I'm... I'm tired." George Says As They leave as George starts painting.

___________________________________
HUDSON HOUSE

Evan Hudson is working at his computer when he hears a familiar loud barking outside his window. He stands and pulls back the curtain, peering out. His wife Julie enters.

"Evan? You spying on the neighbors?" Julie Asks

"No, I uh, I thought i heard something in the yard, but it's nothing. You all ready to go?" Evan Asks

"You know, if I didn't know better I'd say you want me out of the house." Julie Says

"Of course not. It's just, you, you've barely seen your sister since she had the baby." Evan Says

"Well, what are you going to do all weekend?" Julie Asks

"Um, not much, I, I got some bills to pay.He turns and looks at her sadly, crosses the room to take her in his arms. Come here. I'll miss you" Evan Says

"You'd better." Julie Says

"You know I love you, right? Forever." Evan Says

"Of course — Evan, are you okay?" Julie Asks

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Now get going." Evan Says Then He kisses her again.

"Okay, I'll call you when I get there. she goes to the door, stops and turns back, Hey, sweetie?" Julie Says
Suddenly her face twists horribly, her skin going gray and cracked, eyes white. Evan recoils as she returns to normal.

"I love you too." Julie Says

Later On, Dean, Sam and Elena approach Evan's front door. Sam knocks. A moment later, Evan opens the door.

"Yes?" Evan Says

"Evan Hudson?" Sam Asks

"You ever been to a bar called Lloyd's? Would have been about ten years ago." Dean Says, Terrified Evan slams the door and latches it.

"Come on, we're not demons!" Dean Says
As Inside the house Evan bolts into a back room.

"Any other bright ideas?" Elena Asks as Dean steps back, sets himself, then kicks the door down in one go. They enter. Outside the back room Evan has just entered, Dean prepares to kick down that door too. Sam catches his leg, stopping him.

"What-" Sam Says as he Looks at Dean pointedly, Sam turns the handle and pushes the door open gently. The room is quiet. as they enter.

"Evan?" Elena Says

He jumps out from behind a bookshelf, "Please! Don't hurt me." Evan Says

Sam holding his hand out, "We're not going to hurt you, all right? We're here to help you." Sam Says

"We know all about the genius deal you made." Dean Says

"What? How?" Evan Asks

"Doesn't matter. All that matters is, we're trying to stop it." Elena Says

"How do I know you're not lying?" Evan Asks

"Well, you don't, but you're kinda running low on options there, buddy-boy." Dean Says as Evan starts pacing

"Can you stop it?" Evan Asks

"Don't know. We'll try." Sam Says

"I don't want to die." Evan Says

"Of course you don't, not now." Dean Says

"Dean. Stop." Elena Says quietly

"What'd you ask for anyway, Evan? Huh? Never need Viagra? Bowl a perfect game? What?" Dean Says

"My wife." Evan Says

"Right. Gettin' the girl. Well, that's worth a trip to hell for." Dean Says

"Dean, stop." Sam Says

"No. He's right, I made the deal. Nobody twisted my arm, that... woman, or whatever she was, at the bar? She said I could have anything I wanted. I thought she was nuts at first, but... I don't know how to— I was desperate" Evan Says

"Desperate?" Sam Asks

"Julie was dying." Evan Says

"You did it to save her?" Dean Asks

"She had cancer, they'd stopped treatment, they were moving her into hospice, they kept saying... a matter of days. So yeah, I made the deal. And I'd do it again. I'd have died for her on the spot." Evan Says

"Did you ever think about her in all this?" Dean Says

"I did this for her." Evan Says

Dean Moves Closer to Evan, "You sure about that? I think you did it for yourself. So you wouldn't have to live without her. But guess what? She's going to have to live without you now. But what if she knew how much it cost? What if she knew it cost your soul? How do you think she'd feel?" Dean Says

Sam and Elena puts their hands on Dean's chest, pulling him back "Okay, that's enough. You just sit tight, all right? We're going to figure this out." Sam Says as Dean walks into the hallway while Elena stays with Evan

"You all right?" Sam Asks

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be? Hey, I got an idea.
he pulls out the Goofer dust, You throw George's hoodoo at that Hellhound, keep it away from Evan as long as you can. I'm gonna go to the crossroads and summon the demon." Dean Says

"Summon— are you nuts?" Sam Says

"Maybe a little. But I can trap it. I can exorcise it, and I can buy us time to figure out something more permanent." Dean Says

"Yeah, but how much time?" Sam Asks

"I don't know, a while. I mean, it's not easy for those suckers to claw their way back from hell and into the sunshine." Dean Says

"No. No way." Sam Says

"You're not allowed to say no, Sammy, not unless you've got a better idea." Dean Says

"Dean, you can forget it, all right? I'm not letting you summon that demon." Sam Says

"Why not?" Dean Asks

"Because I don't like where your head is at right now, that's why not." Sam Says

"What are you talking about?" Dean Asks

"You know, you've been on edge ever since we found that crossroads, Dean, and I think I know why." Sam Says

"We don't have time for this." Dean Says As He brushes past Sam, but is stopped by a single word.

"Dad. You think maybe Dad made one of these deals, huh? Hell. I've been thinking it. I'm sure you've been thinking it too." Sam Says

"It fits, doesn't it? I'm alive, Dad's dead. The yellow-eyed demon was involved. What if he did? What if he struck a deal? My life for his soul?" Dean Says

"I think I hear it! It's outside!" Evan Says

"You and Elena keep him alive, okay?" Dean Says

"Dean..." Says

"Go!" Dean Says

__________________________________
CROSSROADS

Dean is placing a photo of himself in George's box of Hoodoo Magic. He buries dead center at the crossroads, scraping the dirt over it with his hands. As he stands, a beautiful young woman in a black dress appears behind him.

"So. What brings a guy like you to a place like this?
He looks at her appraisingly, You called me?" The Demon Says

"I'm just glad it worked." Dean Says

"First time?" The Demon Asks

"You could say that." Dean Says

"Oh, come on now. Don't sell yourself short. I know all about you, Dean Winchester." The Demon Says As Her eyes glow red for a moment.

"So, you know who I am." Dean Says

"I get the newsletter." The Demon Says

"Well, don't keep me in suspense. What have you heard?" Dean Asks

"Well, I heard you were handsome, but ... you're just edible. What can I do for you, Dean?" The Demon Says

"Maybe we should do this in my car. Nice and private." Dean Says

"Sounds good to me." The Devon Says As They stroll to Deans car.

Back At the Hudson House, Sam and Elena are sprinkling the dust in a line before the windows, then starts making a circle of it around Evan who stands in the middle of the room.

"What is that stuff?" Evan Asks

"Goofer dust." Elena Says

"You serious?" Evan Says

"Yeah. 'Fraid so. Look. Believe me, don't believe me, whatever you want. Just whatever you do, stay inside the circle, all right?" Sam Says As Evan nods.

Back At The Crossroads, Dean and the Demon are still strolling towards the Impala.

"So I was hoping we could strike a deal." Dean Says

"That's what I do." The Demon Says

"I want Evan Hudson released from his contract." Dean Says

"Hmm. So sorry, darling. That's not negotiable." The Demon Says

"I'll make it worth your while." Dean Says

"Oh really? What are you offering?" The Demon Asks

"Me." Dean Says

"Well, well, well. You'd sacrifice your life for someone else's. Like father, like son." The Demon Says As Dean eyes her warily.

Back At The Hudson's

Evan is hugging himself, standing in the middle of the circle that Sam and Elena are just finishing. Sam shakes the bag to get out the last grains.

"That's the last of it." Elena Asks

"Yeah" Sam Says

Back At The Crossroads
"You did know about your dad's deal, right? His life for yours? Oh, I didn't make the deal myself, but... boy, I wish I had." The Demon Says as Dean grits his teeth and opens the passenger side door.

"After You" Dean Says

"Such a gentleman." The Demon Says As she starts to get into the car, she looks down and sees the edge of a symbol extending from below the car. A Devil's Trap? You've got to be kidding me."

At The Hudson's

Evan whirls around at an unheard sound.

"What?" Sam Asks As Dogs begin growling

"You hear that?" Evan Asks

"No, where?" Elena Asks,Evan hears the demonic growling.

"Right outside the door." Evan Says

"Sam!" Elena Says

"Get in, Get in the circle" Sam Says As The doors begin to rattle violently Sam steps inside the circle with Evan And Elena