By Christopher Humphrey<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Word Count: 2,563 words<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The calloused sole of his bare right foot touched upon the scorching white sands. And then the left. He repeated the motion as he trudged under the anvil of the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The desert wastes stretched out infinitely in every direction with no immediate end in sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was an entire world of its own. Or, rather, much less a living, breathing world but a blank canvas for a work that will never be. There was a distinct lack of noise in the flatland, visual or otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, the surrounding land was void of elevation, or inclines for that matter. No life, no vegetation, nothing save for the ragged man who shuffled aimlessly across the blank zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the sky provided no relief from the encroaching monotony. A cloudless pale blue that almost seemed to blend in with the unsaturated world below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The orange-yellow sun hung at its peak as the sole sentinel over a kingdom that had long since been reduced to dust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wanderer attempted to wipe the sweat from his brow but the back of his hand remained dry. He had become more like a mere automaton that only managed to carry on with the meager remnants of its fumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it was from exhaustion or from the last thread of a lingering will snapped, he stumbled before collapsing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, as the man fell to his knees, his legs came into contact with something hard and smooth. The mysterious object scraped against his legs but his wavering consciousness was barely able to register the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But out of curiosity, he dug into the sand beneath him and pulled out a small, metal object which brightly glinted under the sun as he held it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was an old oil lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The curious man removed the lid and peered inside but the container only held darkness and nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It might have been a coincidence, it might have been the recollection of an old legend\u2014the man rubbed the side of the silvery vessel all the same. He held it up to his face, closely inspecting the spirals and parallel lines engraved into the lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then the lamp began to vibrate, subtly at first, but then violently after a few seconds. In a single instant, the lamp became white-hot, causing the startled man to loosen his grip. The molten chunk of metal fell to the ground, sending up a dust cloud that sizzled and sparked midair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peculiar formless waves emanated from the spout which soon transformed into the bizarre spectacle of smokeless fire. The billowing flames swayed to and fro, a seeming choreography that went on for several minutes until the dazzling blaze settled and narrowed into an intangible heated spire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That was when the fire opened its eyes. The man wasn\u2019t sure of what he saw at first, thinking that it could have been a stray illusory flicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was like a trick of the eye\u2014until it wasn\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The revelation of pupils was also the unveiling of hills and contours that illustrated a feminine form clad in jewels and loose fabric. Dark strands of hair flowed in a non-existent breeze, mimicking its previous blazing form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The strange female being lowered itself until she was hovering mere inches from the ground. She looked down at the scrawny man with dark, indifferent eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am the djinn who resides in the lamp,\u201d she spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn spoke in a flat, archaic register. To say that it was monotone was to assume that the spirit considered humanity its equal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lone man, despite the lack of strength, quickly rose to his feet. An unmistakable gleam shone in his eyes. The remaining drops of moisture in his body unconsciously became salivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He mustered all of his remaining strength in order to address the unearthly being, \u201cT-then you are\u2014you are a genie?\u201d His voice barely managed to bridge the gap between him and the djinn. It was hoarse and clearly on the verge of withering into nothingness. Despite everything, he held himself up with minimal composure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn half-nodded in response, a quasi-acknowledgement of the lowly being in her presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDjinn or genie,\u201d she responded, \u201call names are roads that lead to the same conclusion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Upon confirmation, the man dusted off his tattered clothes and bowed toward the djinn in deep respect. He slowly returned to his normal posture after a moment. He expected the djinn to be ecstatic now that she was no longer bound by the lamp, yet her cold gaze was in stark contrast to her fiery introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As if she could read his mind, or simply that she was observant enough to notice the look of bewilderment plastered over his face, she spoke once more, \u201cThe perception of djinn and human consciousness are not lateral, parallel, equal, or otherwise. I speak of separate planes of existence\u2014emotion is a rarity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man scratched his head as he processed the djinn\u2019s words, but ultimately he was able to understand the sentiment on some level at least. He thought for a moment, choosing his words carefully in silent deliberation. All the while, the djinn, unfazed, floated in the same spot where she had materialized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, the man broke the unyielding silence, \u201cThen I\u2019ll have three wishes\u2026 right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you like.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She crossed her arms as she promptly responded. There was no hesitation or reluctance in her voice. Her decision was crystal clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWonderful,\u201d the wanderer coughed, his voice dry and hoarse. \u201cI can\u2019t believe it. In a realm where no dream could hope to dwell\u2026 yet here I am\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He paced back and forth on the sand, taking care to avoid putting pressure on the crimson blisters dotting his feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll need time to think about this,\u201d he said. The man, having found his second wind, began his trek through the desert once more. He motioned for the djinn to follow. \u201cCome on, now. Daylight is burning\u2026 literally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the djinn remained fixed to her original position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man spun around, his head cocked to the side. He brushed his unkempt hair out of his face, looking the djinn up and down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter? Can\u2019t move without the lamp?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She smirked, but only for a fraction of a second. Then her visage returned to its usual stoic state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo,\u201d she spoke. \u201cThere is no need. I am not like the gift-givers in your stories.\u201d She moved closer to the man, looking down at him. \u201cYou must relay all your wishes to me, here and now. There will be no consideration later, only consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man\u2019s shoulders slumped as he plopped himself onto the sandy ground. He wasn\u2019t dismayed by the spirit\u2019s response; rather he fell into a stupor of deep thought. But in that stillness he turned his head and coughed violently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI imagine you might wish for a cool drink,\u201d the djinn suggested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the man shook his head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI can\u2019t waste one of my wishes on a glass of water.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot even if it was the most satisfying sip of your life?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t born yesterday. The value of my wishes is greater than my thirst.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn narrowed her eyes and studied the loner carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, rubber of the lamp, if you are so wise then what would you wish for?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took only a moment for the man to respond, \u201cAs for my first wish\u2026 I would like infinite wealth!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn stroked her chin as she thought about the man\u2019s request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTricky,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut can you do it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is not as if I can give you currency that does not already exist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen what about all the money that does<\/em> currently exist?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI could\u2026 but if you were the sole guardian of all the world\u2019s wealth, it would all instantaneously become worthless if no one else could possess it, would it not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man furrowed his brow, but he sighed in reluctant agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOkay, maybe not all<\/em> money, but enough to leave me very well off for life. Oh, and my life can\u2019t be cut short or anything like that, alright?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well. A full life with substantial wealth. Should it also be enough for your descendants to inherit?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, that\u2019s okay. I have no family to speak of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen the first wish is settled. What will your second be, I wonder?\u201d The djinn narrowed her eyes as she gazed at the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He mumbled to himself as he lazily traced circles in the sand, only to wipe them away and then begin anew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then the djinn\u2019s nose twitched as a thought occurred to her. She bent down low and spoke coolly, \u201cIf I might make a suggestion\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He nodded and allowed her to continue speaking, and so she did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny treasures or jewels or even the finer aspects of life will be of no use to you so long as you remain here. What good are these things if you cannot survive the journey back to civilization?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Again, the man nodded. His face conveyed disappointment, but logically he understood that his other two wishes would be in vain if he were left to rot in the barren wastes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHm, so then my second wish would be to be instantly transported back to civilization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is it this time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt is not as if what you ask is impossible. Rather, I fear your body may not take to the sudden instantaneous\u2026 readjustment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMeaning?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMeaning that the journey will tear every molecule, everything that makes up you<\/em>, asunder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man tugged at his collar and quickly clarified his intent, \u201cUm, okay, maybe not instantly as it were, but quickly. Quickly enough to avoid wasting time, but not so quick as to kill me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn nodded, finding no need to correct the altered desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA wise decision, rubber of the lamp. But where shall I transport you to?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAny decent city, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She placed her hands on her hips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou suppose, but there are vagabonds and thieves even in the midst of the most luxurious of cities. Your newly acquired wealth will not go unnoticed. I hope you did not forget about your first wish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man stood up at once and firmly declared, \u201cThen I shall be brought directly to my dream mansion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, brought directly to the site where your dream mansion will one day be completed. Rome was not built in a day, and a palace of the magnitude you imagine certainly would not be either.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He huffed in frustration but refused to argue because he knew that she was right. He wasn\u2019t considering his wishes carefully enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright, alright. Then I will be brought directly to a mansion already on the market where I will be given the deed on arrival.\u201d He wheezed slightly and added, \u201cAnd it must be in a good location.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn listened intently to the revised request and nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThus ends the matter of the second wish.\u201d She folded her arms once more and looked the man squarely in the eyes. \u201cAnd then there was one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before he could consider his final wish, the man looked up at the djinn and asked her, \u201cI hadn\u2019t thought about it much until now, but why are you helping me with my wishes? Usually someone like myself makes a vague, greedy wish and then there is some horrible unforeseen consequence. Yet you have done nothing but help me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you live as long as I have, life tends to grow dull. Typically I may grant a person their wishes and send them on their way. But I never see the consequences when I am back within my confines. So, a thought experiment makes matters a bit more interesting, does it not?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He scratched his head, unable to wrap his mind around the concept of that brand of immortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI worded my wishes correctly, didn\u2019t I? No mistakes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo mistakes,\u201d she replied decisively. \u201cIf these two wishes were granted, there would be nothing unforeseen or unfortunate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He sighed in relief and began to ponder what else he could possibly desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before he could say anything, the djinn raised her hand and abruptly spoke, \u201cAlso, you cannot wish for more wishes. That would be a paradox, no? You said, \u2018three wishes<\/em>,\u2019 correct? Three<\/em> is not the same thing as infinite<\/em>. That kind of illogic\u2026 it would be like you are never granted any wishes at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery true,\u201d the man agreed, \u201cO Great Genie of the Lamp<\/em>. Your logic never fails. Let\u2019s keep it simple then. I wish for a beautiful wife.\u201d He paused and then added, \u201cOne who is not only beautiful to others but to me as well. You know, eye of the beholder<\/em> and all that. Oh, and she must love me in return.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLove you\u2026 to the point of madness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo! Of course not! Just a normal, loving relationship. That. Is. All. Thank you very much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo not thank me until we are through, human.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd do not play coy with me. My wishes are sound, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey truly were when I said so before, and they continue to be sound, even now as I speak.\u201d She straddled the gossamer air beneath her, crossing her legs as if seated upon a silken cushion. \u201cYour third wish is sound, as I said. I can guarantee love, but not prolonged romance. Perhaps it will not be an issue, but if worse comes to worst your newfound fortune will suddenly be much less impressive.\u201d She leaned in close, her voice just above a whisper, \u201cSo, if not a wife then perhaps a concubine for your amusement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOr a harem. If it is not true love… then why limit myself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the first time in their conversation, the djinn chuckled softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNow you are finally learning, human. My boredom begins to wane, if only slightly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n A wicked grin spread across the man\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would even welcome you into my home, genie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She glared at the man, but her fury cooled as soon as it had risen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou forget yourself, human. I am like a mare of ice and fire\u2014within the grasp of no one. To wrangle me is to lasso the air itself. Infinite patience does not exist within my infinite wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The man shrugged, and after a moment he said, \u201cAnyway, those are my wishes. Now, if you would, grant them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the djinn remained fixed to her original position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She trembled slightly, not from nervousness but from pure amusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d The man yelled. \u201cWhat\u2019s so funny?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn continued to bellow with laughter for a long while before she dignified the man with a response, \u201cI told you before, did I not? I am not like the gift-givers in your stories.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut you promised me three wishes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo. You said that you will have<\/em> three wishes. And you have them.\u201d The djinn looked down on the haggard man with a grin from the deepest pits of hell. \u201cBut I never said<\/em> I would grant them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under the grip of despair and trickery, the man fell to his knees once more, his hands half-sunk into the alabaster sands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The djinn cackled with delight as she was enveloped in smokeless fire before soon disappearing in a puff of logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An imagined ruleset is irrelevant when the game differs from expectation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n ~ End ~<\/p>\n\n\n\n By Christopher Humphrey Word Count: 2,563 words The calloused sole of his bare right foot touched upon the scorching white sands. And then the left. He repeated the motion as he trudged under the anvil of the sun. The desert wastes stretched out infinitely in every direction with no immediate end in sight. 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