hippo2

*I turned and looked at myself in the mirror* “Gotta admit, I really like this new genie look.” *I turn around and gaze at the interior of my vessel* “Never thought an old coin bank would be so spacious. is that because of the magic that turned it into my new home?” *Before I continue, I guess I should introduce myself and explain. First off, the name is Robin. Not the name I was born with, but given that I’m a genie now, it made sense. Secondly, like I mentioned before: I’m a genie. Wasn’t born that way I want to point out. But I found another genie and kind of wished to be one. It’s not so bad though. Last I checked I was immortal so that’s a plus. And I can decorate the inside of the vessel I’m paired with however I want. And my vessel happens to be a 21 inch tall coin bank in the shape of a bottle. So I have some extra space. If you want me to come out, just pop the top off. But I think that’s enough explanation for now* *Just then, the top of my bottle opens and I float out in as a cloud of smoke before re-materializing back into myself. I see a now former coworker standing there in amazement* “Whew! Now I remember why I shouldn’t smoke!” *I say grinning* “Um…What?” *She’s still struggling to comprehend what she’s seeing. “Relax Master. Or should I say Mistress. I am your genie. You have three wishes to make. But! I have to inform you of a few rules/provisos first.” *I switch my voice to sound like Robin Williams before continuing* “Rule #1: I can’t kill anybody. Rule #2: I can’t force people to fall in love - *mwah!* Ohhh put er there! Rule #3: I can’t bring people back from the dead” *zombie noises sound* “I don’t like doing it!” *I see my old coworker continuing to stare with her mouth open* “You know, you keep staring like that, you’re going to attract flies.” “Wait…what?” “I know Paula. It’s a lot to take in here. But I am a genie now and since you hold my vessel *I point to the coin bank* you are my Master. Or Mistress if you prefer.” “How did this happen?” “Oh I just found another genie, wished I could be one too, and ‘hey presto’ here I am. And I actually like it.” “So…you can grant any wish I want!” *Yeaahhh, Paula’s never really been quick on the uptake. But you guys probably already figured that out by now* “Not exactly. There are a few rules.” “Seriously?” “It’s mainly because we can’t have every power-hungry dictator running around trying to get one of us to make them ‘King of the World’. And before you ask: yes. I DID say ‘us’.” *I conjure up a rulebook for her* “This should explain the rules regarding wishes pretty clearly. If not, just pop the top on my bank. I’ll explain it as best as I can.” “Can’t I come in and ask you?” *I swear rocks have more brain power sometimes* “Sorry Boss, genies only in there. Besides: no wifi in there” “Talk about a raw deal!” “WiFi didn’t exist when the first genies were created. And it’s not so bad. I can decorate the interior however I want. Mine is a gamer’s dream penthouse.” *I stretch and start turning into smoke* “Anyway, when you have a wish, just pop the top okay?” *I turn full smoke cloud and fly back inside the bank as the lid returns to its original position* *Inside, I shoot a small bolt of magic at my stereo and I Get Around by The Beach Boys starts playing. I lay back on my bed* “Okay. So as far as Masters go, I could get worse than Paula. *I laugh to myself* “I mean, what if I had gotten Simon Cowell? Or worse: One of the original hosts of BBC’s Top Gear? Don’t think I wanna know what they would wish for.” “Trust me…you don’t.” *An unknown voice causes me to jump off the bed and onto the floor* “Ow!” *I look at my unexpected guest. They’re another genie, but I can tell that they’re higher up in the pecking order. Then I remember a conversation with Arin* “You’re my Union Rep aren’t you?” *His eyebrows raised slightly* “Yes. How did you know?” “The genie I wished to clued me in before I got set up. Don’t tell me I screwed up already?” “No. You haven’t made any mistakes so far. If anything, giving your Master a copy of the rules was a smart move. Although, they don’t seem to fully understand the situation.” “Well, she just opened a coin bank to try and see how much money was inside and found that her missing coworker is now her genie. That would blow most people’s minds.” “True. Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and chat for a minute. If you do well, you should get the opportunity to become an ‘unbound’ genie.” “You mean, I wouldn’t have to be stuck inside 24/7 waiting for someone to open the lid?” “Correct.” “I’ll keep working at it…uh what’s your name? I don’t think you mentioned it.” “It’s Albert. And don’t worry ‘Robin’, I already know plenty about you. The council already told me.” *He turns around and walks through a rectangle of light that disappears as soon as he steps through. I lay back on my bed and turn my music off* “Life just became a bit more interesting.” I think before I fall asleep