History Main / BetterLivingThroughEvil

* Cerberus takes this approach with Shepard in ''MassEffect2''. They are still up to all the horrific experiments and other tricks they were in the first game, but manage to throw the entire fandom into a FlameWar by not only resurrecting Shepard, but providing him/her with '''every resource imaginable'''. Brand spanking new CoolStarship, the most advanced in the galaxy [[strike:barring the Reapers]] with as much Reapertech as they could steal - and ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking leather seats]]''. A handpicked crew, including a certain awesome AcePilot. Leads on recruiting the most astounding badasses in the galaxy. And periodic injections of money, supplies and intelligence. If you don't think of the {{DLC}} packs as a case of GameplayAndStorySegregation, they even arm you with some of [[DiscOneNuke the most powerful weapons in the galaxy right out of the gate!]]
** In comparison, the Council set Shepard on his/her quest to apprehend Saren [[strike:WithThisHerring]] with the title and training of a Spectre. The Alliance had to give up their "symbol of interspecies cooperation" to provide Shepard with a suitable ship and crew. Shepard had to [[ItsUpToYou conduct all his/her investigations alone]], [[MagneticHero assemble his/her team himself]], [[AdamSmithHatesYourGuts and pay for all his/her equipment.]]
*** Keep in mind that Saren was a former Council agent who used that authority to start up his own MegaCorp, [[PrivateMilitaryContractors hire an army of mercenaries]], and convince several hundred [[SuperpoweredMooks telekinetic commandos]] to join him. And then he convinced an army of MechaMooks to help him attempt to nuke an Alliance colony. Which the Council refused to acknowledge until you slapped all three of them upside the head with a datafile bearing counterfeit-proof Mecha Mook timestamps. [[strike:Makes you wonder if Cerberus is right about the Citadel Council being out to get humanity...]] '''''The Citadel Council Is Your Friend. Trust The Citadel Council.'''''

-->--Theme song of [[AffablyEvil Hank Scorpio]], ''from TheSimpsons''

-->You'll love the life of a thief.\\
You'll relish the life of a crook.\\
There's barrels of fun for everyone!\\
And you'll get treasures by the ton!
-->--[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3s0xx_RP84 The Pirate Song]] from ''Disney/PeterPan''

->You'll love the life of a thief.
->You'll relish the life of a crook.
->There's barrels of fun for everyone!
->And you'll get treasures by the ton!
-->- [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3s0xx_RP84 The Pirate Song]] from ''Disney/PeterPan''

->''"''Although'' your idealistic nature might tell you otherwise, you're not doing yourself any favours by supporting the losing side. Whatever your life is like now, we can offer you something better."''
-->-- '''The Gray Pope''', ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening''

[[quoteright:195:[[TheOrderOfTheStick http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Evil.jpg]]]]

* Naturally, this is lampshaded in ''TheOrderOfTheStick'' after [[PerkyGoth Tsukiko]] defects to the BigBad's side, providing us with the above image.

** This is to say nothing of the book the film was based on, in which, rather than being recruited by assassins to become a badass hero, Wesley's trained to become a supervillain. The Fraternity of the graphic novel make no pretense of heroism or righteousness -- they cross the MoralEventHorizon on a regular basis ''because it's fun'', and encourage Wesley to do the same. In fact, at the end, [[spoiler:in a fabulous deconstruction of the {{Comes Great Responsibility}} [[AnAesop Aesop]], Wesley pretends to have a moral epiphany, tells his sidekick/fuck buddy that he was just kidding, then mocks the reader for having a moral compass. And then he rapes you.]]

* In ''ResidentEvil 5'', Excella Gionne's backstory is this. [[spoiler: She was born into a branch off of the main family and went into Tricell Pharmaceuticals. She worked her way up and eventually was brushed aside because she wasn't a member of the founding family. Wesker comes in and gives her information about making bio-organic weapons and she is able to corner that market when Umbrella folds. She is then promoted to the head of Tricell Pharmaceuticals as a result.]]
** [[spoiler: [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness Not for long.]]]]

* So, you're a bright-eyed and able-bodied vault dweller, out into the [[FallOut3 Capital Wasteland]] in search of your father or riches? First place you come to's quaint little Megaton. You could always help the local sheriff disarm the town's namesake nuke and get yourself a squalid little shack and a couple caps. Or, alternatively, you can arm the thing and score up to 1500 caps, get a nice suite with a stunning view by working for the badguys. By the first hour out of the vault in FallOut3, you've all ready bettered your living arrangements more through evil than good. Enjoy the chance to drink the wasteland dry if you don't feel too terribly like saving it.

** This is to say nothing of the book the film was based on, in which, rather than being recruited by assassins to become a badass hero, Wesley's trained to become a supervillain. The Fraternity of the graphic novel make no pretense of heroism or righteousness -- they cross the {{Moral Event Horizon}} on a regular basis ''because it's fun'', and encourage Wesley to do the same. In fact, at the end, [[spoiler:in a fabulous deconstruction of the {{Comes Great Responsibility}} [[AnAesop Aesop]], Wesley pretends to have a moral epiphany, tells his sidekick/fuck buddy that he was just kidding, then mocks the reader for having a moral compass. And then he rapes you.]]

* Cerberus takes this approach with Shepard in ''MassEffect2''. They are still up to all the horrific experiments and other tricks they were in the first game, but manage to throw the entire fandom into a FlameWar by not only resurrecting Shepard, but providing hi/r with '''every resource imaginable'''. Brand spanking new CoolStarship, the most advanced in the galaxy [[strike:barring the Reapers]] with as much Reapertech as they could steal - and ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking leather seats]]''. A handpicked crew, including a certain awesome AcePilot. Leads on recruiting the most astounding badasses in the galaxy. And periodic injections of money, supplies and intelligence. If you don't think of the {{DLC}} packs as a case of GameplayAndStorySegregation, they even arm you with some of [[DiscOneNuke the most powerful weapons in the galaxy right out of the gate!]]

-->'''Torg:''' ''Wow!'' When you become a vampire, men become broad shouldered and muscle-bound and women become tall and thin! You ever think of selling this on QVC?
-->'''Lysinda:''' Foolish mortal ... do you really think humanity would give up its immortal soul forever just to look good?
-->''([[BeatPanel beat panel]])''
-->'''Lysinda:''' Sylvia?
-->'''Sylvia:''' "Infomercials next quarter." Check.
* Defied by Mr. Stratus in ''{{Our Little Adventure}}'' when the Emperor gives him a job offer as his head tactician. The result of this was, of course, a face full of lightning and an ensuing battle.

->''Although'' your idealistic nature might tell you otherwise, you're not doing yourself any favours by supporting the losing side. Whatever your life is like now, we can offer you something better.
->-- The Gray Pope, ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening''

This is where the BigBad, usually, helps someone either by moving them up the corporate ladder or by helping them improve their standard of living. The person so helped in return will either repay them in the form of a favor at a later date or just join the BigBad and his/her crew.

[[AC:{{Film}}]]

* TheDevilsAdvocate: what makes this trope and not simply a DealWithTheDevil as the title implies, is that Kevin is helped unknowingly (except maybe some gut feelings along the way) and without knowing Milton's true nature and his relation with himself. Milton says in the end speech that it is because of Kevin's accepting [[spoiler:his dad's]] nature was the reason he got that far, and basically because [[spoiler:it ran in the family]].
* Played straight in WallStreet.

[[AC:{{Literature}}]]

[[AC:LiveActionTV]]
* On ''{{Angel}}'' this is how Wolfram and Hart operates, both by directly employing people and aiding their clients.

[[AC:TabletopGames]]
* In ''TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening'', this is the main appeal of joining the [[AncientConspiracy Seers of the Throne]], who are given much power and influence in exchange for working to keep the world under control and doing the will of the [[AGodAmI Exarchs]]. Their {{Sourcebook}} even details a Merit which allows Seers of most ranks to live with prestige and luxury. Its noted that the Merit doesn't provide any actual ''money'', which means the priviliges can be revoked by higher ranking Seers.
* In DungeonsAndDragons 4e ''ForgottenRealms'' setting, this is the M.O. of [[{{Satan}} Asmodeus]], [[GodOfEvil God of Sin]]. While an evil deity with evil goals, he generally rewards his faithful in life. In the after life, not so much.

[[AC:{{Video Games}}]]

[[AC:{{Web Comics}}]]

[[AC:{{Web Original}}]]
* The plot of ''DrHorrible'' is this essentially as the title character attempts to join the Evil organization to gain respect and prestige.
** There was also something about social reform that he never seemed entirely clear on.

[[AC:WesternAnimation]]
* The Pirate song from ''PeterPan'' fits.

* In order to come up with a competent and cheap workforce for [[TheVentureBros Dr. Venture]], Mr. Killinger hires a team of [[IncrediblyLamePun Venchmen]], all of whom are on a work/stud program paid for by the state. Evidently, the life of a henchman has some degree of allure.
* [[LionKing "We repeat! Endless meat"]]

----

->-- The Gray Pope, ''MageTheAwakening''

* In ''MageTheAwakening'', this is the main appeal of joining the [[AncientConspiracy Seers of the Throne]], who are given much power and influence in exchange for working to keep the world under control and doing the will of the [[AGodAmI Exarchs]]. Their {{Sourcebook}} even details a Merit which allows Seers of most ranks to live with prestige and luxury. Its noted that the Merit doesn't provide any actual ''money'', which means the priviliges can be revoked by higher ranking Seers.

[[TheOrderOfTheStick http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Evil.jpg]]

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<<|EvilTropes|>>

* In ''{{Wanted}}'' Wesley is unwittingly doing this by joining the Brotherhood he escapes his mundane daily job which he hates with a passion, and a girlfriend who is cheating on him, and becomes an Assassin. [[spoiler: TheReveal is that the BigBad was the Brotherhood leader who was supposed to liquidate the entire order as it is implied it had served it's purpose. Instead he uses his position to increase his power and influence.]]
** This is to say nothing of the book the film was based on, in which, rather than being recruited by assassins to become a badass hero, Wesley's trained to become a supervillain. The Fraternity of the graphic novel make no pretense of heroism or righteousness -- they cross the {{Moral Event Horizon}} on a regular basis ''because it's fun'', and encourage Wesley to do the same. In fact, at the end, [[spoiler: in a fabulous deconstruction of the {{Comes Great Responsibility}} [[AnAesop Aesop]], Wesley pretends to have a moral epiphany, tells his sidekick/fuck buddy that he was just kidding, then mocks the reader for having a moral compass. And then he rapes you.]]

** In comparison, the Council set Shepard on his quest to apprehend Saren [[strike:WithThisHerring]] with the title and training of a Spectre. The Alliance had to give up their "symbol of interspecies cooperation" to provide Shepard with a suitable ship and crew. Shepard had to [[ItsUpToYou conduct all his investigations alone]], [[MagneticHero assemble his team himself]], [[AdamSmithHatesYourGuts and pay for all his equipment.]]

*** Keep in mind that Saren was a former Council agent who used that authority to start up his own MegaCorp, [[PrivateMilitaryContractors hire an army of mercenaries]], and convince several hundred [[SuperpoweredMooks telekinetic commandos]] to join him. And then he convinced an army of MechaMooks to help him attempt to nuke an Alliance colony. [[strike:Makes you wonder if Cerberus is right about the Citadel Council being out to get humanity...]] '''''The Citadel Council Is Your Friend. Trust The Citadel Council.'''''

* Cerberus takes this approach with Shepard in ''MassEffect2''. They are still up to all the horrific experiments and other tricks they were in the first game, but manage to throw the entire fandom into a FlameWar by not only resurrecting Shepard, but providing hi/r with '''every resource imaginable'''. Brand spanking new CoolStarship, the most advanced in the galaxy [[strike:barring the Reapers]] with as much Reapertech as they could steal - and ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking leather seats]]''. A handpicked crew, including a certain awesome AcePilot. Leads on recruiting the most astounding badasses in the galaxy. And periodic injections of money, supplies and intelligence. If you don't think of the {{DLC}} packs as a case of GameplayAndStorySegregation, they even arm you with [[DiscOneNuke the most powerful weapons in the galaxy right out of the gate!]]

* In ''[[TMNT2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' (2003) Shredder does this with two of his [[TheDragon dragons]], Karai and Hun. With Karai, the trope comes into play due to the fact that the Shredder is the Daddy Warbucks to her [[LittleOrphanAnnie Annie]]; Hun, while already a criminal, was allowed to move up from "gang leader" to "[[TheSyndicate syndicate]] higher-up" thanks to his associaton with his "Master".

* Cerberus takes this approach with Shepard in ''MassEffect2''. They are still up to all the horrific experiments and other tricks they were in the first game, but manage to throw the entire fandom into a FlameWar by not only resurrecting Shepard, but providing hi/r with '''every resource imaginable'''. Brand spanking new CoolStarship, the most advanced in the galaxy [[strike:barring the Reapers]] with as much Reapertech as they could steal - and ''[[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking leather seats]]''. A handpicked crew, including a certain awesome AcePilot. Leads on recruiting the most astounding badasses in the galaxy. And periodic injections of money, supplies and intelligence.

*** Keep in mind that Saren was a former Council agent who used that authority to start up his own MegaCorp, [[PrivateMilitaryContractors hire an army of mercenaries]], and convince several hundred [[SuperpoweredMooks telekinetic commandos]] to join him. And then he convinced an army of MechaMooks to help him attempt to nuke an Alliance colony. Which the Council refused to acknowledge until you slapped all three of them upside the head with a datafile bearing counterfeit-proof Mecha Mook timestamps. [[strike:Makes you wonder if Cerberus is right about the Citadel Council being out to get humanity...]] '''''The Citadel Council Is Your Friend. Trust The Citadel Council.'''''

*** Keep in mind that Saren was a former Council agent who used that authority to start up his own MegaCorp, [[PrivateMilitaryContractors hire an army of mercenaries]], and convince several hundred [[SuperpoweredMooks telekinetic commandos]] to join him. And then he convinced an army of MechaMooks to help him attempt to nuke an Alliance colony. [[strike:Makes you wonder if Cerberus is right about the Citadel Council being out to get humanity...]] '''''The Citadel Council Is Your Friend. Trust The Citadel Council.'''''

* Cerberus takes this approach with Shepard in ''MassEffect2''. They are still up to all the horrific experiments and other tricks they were in the first game, but where the Council expected the Alliance to provide Shepard with a ship and crew, and for Shepard to assemble a team, conduct all investigations, and buy his/her own equipment, Cerberus brings Shepard back to life, builds the most advanced starship in the galaxy (barring Reapers), just for Shepard, supplies him/her with a handpicked crew including two old friends, gives Shepard leads on new party members, and provides plenty of money, supplies, and intelligence.