The Genie

A short story about a man meeting a genie. This is just the first draft.

 I was walking down the road, deep into my own self-loathing when I came across an old lamp sitting in the grass. The container was tarnished, and looked as if it was older than the majority of the houses in this town. I thought it was odd as I walked by that it was just sitting there. It has to have been left there by some small child who found it buried somewhere in their parent's house. I can remember doing the same thing when I was a small boy.

So as I walked a bit further away, I thought I'd go back and take a closer look at it. Maybe it's worth some money that could help me pay some bills. I walk up to it and bend down to pick it up. Just by grabbing it, it feels old. It's very heavy for the size of the lamp and I think it's made of iron. I try to open the lid, but it seems to be stuck on the lamp. So I go on my way taking the lamp with me. My mind is racing with thoughts that this is some long lost ancient treasure that people didn't know was sitting around in their basement. You know kind of like that Superman comic that was found in the basement that saved that families house? With my luck, it's probably junk, but I figure some Google searching can never do any harm.

I get home, and set it down at my desk, looking for anything I can search for, but it doesn't have any symbols or markings on it. I do some basic Google searching, but it doesn't help me at all. So I take a look at the lid again. This time the lid opens without any work on my part. I take a look inside the lamp, and it smells horribly. It smells like an old locker room that hasn't had fresh air in years. It almost knocks me over when I get a knock on the door. I set the lamp down and open the door to a very tired looking man.

“Can I help you with anything?” I ask him.

“Probably not, but I can help you.” he said looking behind me at the lamp.

I take a look behind me and at him still staring at the lamp.

“I'm sorry, if that's your lamp. You can have it back. I didn't think anyone wanted it, with it sitting there like it was.”

“The lamp is mine, but I don't need to retain physical ownership of it for it to be mine.”

“So what are you doing here then?” I ask him a bit confused.

“May I come inside for a second? This won't take long, it never does.” He says just making his way in, not waiting for me to invite him.

“Go ahead and have a seat. Can you tell me what's going on here?”

“I don't need to sit. Like I said, this never takes long. I'm a genie and I'm here to grant you three wishes. Whatever you want, you can have.” he said spreading his hands out.

“Shut the f**k up! You are not a genie. Those are just stories.” I said laughing out loud.

“I am a genie, and we do exist. It's just that their are so few of us that most people will never know we exist, and the ones that do know are not allowed to say anything.”

“So what happens if you are a genie, and I make a bunch of wishes then go tell people what happened?”

“They are reversed and you are back at where you started.”

“So say I wish for a million dollars and ten years down the road, I say something. I'm transported to today or what?”

“That is exactly what will happen.”

“So why couldn't I just go down the street to grab the lamp again? That sounds like a major loophole in your little plans.” I said leaning against the wall.

“The lamp won't be there. This is one shot deal, and you'll never get it again. So don't screw it up and make sure that you are sure with the wishes that you make.” The genie said gesturing for me to sit down on my own couch.

“Do I just ask for what I want? Is there some kind of ritual that I need to do or say to make these come true?” I ask sitting down on the couch. “If I ask for anything does it backfire on me, like that episode of The Simpsons?”

“No you just ask for something and it'll happen. No curses or anything of that sort, either. And that was a monkey's paw to be exact. Those are completely different” The genie said with a wink.

I'm not sure if he's being serious or not. Something tells me that he's serious, but I just don't know. Not to mention I'm surprised he knew what episode I was talking about. Genie's must know everything or they're that bored.

I'm not sure what to wish for. I could have infinite riches, fame, women, power, and anything I want. So what do I want? Money would be nice as I wouldn't have to worry about anything ever again. Of course with money comes other issues.

Fame would be great until I wanted some private time. Then I'd never get it again unless I took off without anyone knowing. Then I'd still have people hounding me. With fame comes money though.

What do I want more than anything in the world?

“Are you going to start asking? Most people are already into their second wish by now.” The genie asked interrupting my thought process.

“I'm sorry, I'm thinking. I'm not sure what to wish for.”

The genie gets up and walks to my wall looking at the pictures on the wall. He's looking at them intently, then looks around confused.

“Where's your family?” he asks.

“They don't live here anymore. They haven't in months.” I said. “Can I wish for them to return?”

“Like I said, you can wish for anything you want. Just ask away.”

“That's what I want. I want my family back together again.”

“If that is what you want, then so be it.” The genies closes his eyes and reopens them a second later with a smile on his face.

I look around and nothing has changed. My family hasn't returned and it's still quiet in here.

“What's the deal? Where's my family?” I ask getting kind of upset.

“Once you're done, everything will come true. So let's get on with it then since you obviously want to see them very badly.”

“What if I don't want anything else? All I really want is my family back. That is it.” I said.

“Are you sure? Like I said, one shot at this.”

I could wish for money, fame, and everything that everyone else always asks for. Honestly I don't want any of that.. I can do without all of that if my family would come back. They are what makes me happy and the rest of it I don't need.

“I'm sure. I've never been so sure of anything in my life.”

“Then your wish is granted. Good luck my friend!”

After he said those words, a knock came to my door with some rustling and the sounds of little children behind it. I look to my desk and the lamp is gone. I run to the door to see the smiling faces on my three kids face's and my wife standing there with a nervous smile on her face. I wrap the kids into my arms and set them down after a long hug. My wife and I stare at one another for a moment, kiss each other, and get wrapped up in each others arms.