Genie relations - Part 4

Later that evening, Luca picked up Martha and lead her to an expensive restaurant. She was very impressed, since she hadn't had the money to go to such a posh place since she started working at the hotel. But Martha also worried about what she should tell her brother. She felt bad about lying to him but she also feared his reaction if he found out she was a genie now.
The waiter brought them to a table and gave them two menus. While they decided on their drinks, Luca asked her: "Tell me Martha: What have you been up to over the last two years?"

That was the question Martha dreaded most. "I... 've been to various places. I went to the United States, to Ireland, England, Italy and finally, ended up here in Switzerland."

"But why didn't you contact us?"

"I... was pretty locked up, most of the time." Martha replied. It wasn't exactly a lie since during the first month of her being a genie, she was often locked inside her lamp for many weeks or months. "Also, I needed some time to sort my life out. I wouldn't wanted our father to give me his famous 'advice'."

"Yeah, he can be quite annoying." Luca laughed. "By the way, what happened to the annoying Marco?"

Martha shuddered. "Ugh... Marco! Don't remind me of him." She took a deep breath. "He... croaked and I'm happy about it."

"He's dead?" Luca asked.

Martha hesitated for a moment. Most likely, the frog she had turned Marco into was dead by now. In fact, she had never thought about what had happened to all those unlucky humans she had transformed. But now, she felt a nagging feeling inside. "Listen, Luca. Marco was a prick. He was the reason I had to travel around the world and he tried to take advantage of me. So I broke up with him. For me, he's dead now. Let's never talk about him again."

"That was probably the best thing to do. I always knew he was trouble. But why didn't you contact us even after you found this job at the hotel?"

"I had to sort things out, first. I wanted to know what I want to do in my life ..." Again, it wasn't exactly a lie, either. Until recently, Martha wasn't sure if she wanted to be a genie or a human.

"Have you sorted it out, now?" Luca asked.

"I guess I know where I will head to." There was this nagging feeling again. Was being a genie really the right choice for her? Especially if she destroyed up other people's lives? "Things recently started to get clearer. I guess I just need a little bit more time."

"Well, you're still young. It doesn't matter, anyway." Luca replied. "Our parents will be glad to learn that you are still alive. Unless you don't want them to know where you are."

Again, Martha thought for a moment. Her parents probably thought she was dead by now. "No, it's ok. You can tell them where I am. I just hope they don't want to visit me next weekend."

"Don't worry. I'll tell them, but will make sure they won't bother you. Maybe our family can meet on Christmas or something?"

"Maybe..."

That moment, the waiter brought their drinks.


Meanwhile, Babette and Sami were on their date, too. Babette had convinced Sami to change into his "human" appearance and he had helped her to conceal the pointy ears she got when she was turned into a genie. Now, they were in Babette's favorite club in town.

"Say, Sami. Do you like to go out?" Babette opened the conversation.

"Actually, I was usually locked up in my lamp. Only recently, Martha and I went out more often, and yes, I really enjoyed it."

"Recently?" Babette asked. "Didn't you met Martha two years ago?"

"When you are more than 4000 years old, two years ago is recently for you." Sami explained.

"I see! I guess I still think as a human of only 23 years." Amelia replied.

"That's normal. You're a genie for only a few hours. Of course you still think as a human. If you decide to become a genie for good, you will get used to not aging."

"Mhhh... What else can you tell me about being a genie?" Babette asked.

"I guess you already know the genie rules that rule out and limit certain wishes?" Sami asked. Babette nodded. Like every human who was transformed into a genie, she received this information the moment she materialized inside the lamp for the first time.
"If I may give you advice: If the wish is poorly worded, you can interpret it as long as you fulfill it to its wording."

"That's when a genie twists a wish?" Babette asked.

"A human might call it twisting. But it might be the loophole that prevents you from granting a very evil wish. If you can get back at the wisher by interpreting the wish, it's even the better." Sami replied.

"I see. How many wishes do I have to grant per master anyway?

"You will be forced to grant only one wish. Some genies, like Martha, grant more wishes, but that's her free decision. You will only be forced to grant one single wish." Sami explained.

"Mhhh... I'll better grant only one wish then." Babette replied. "Do you have any more advice?

"Yes, one! You shouldn't tell your master or mistress that you're a genie for only three days. They might wish you into a genie forever." Sami warned her.

"Oh dear!" Babette was very frightened. Suddenly, her hand began to fade. "Sami! What's happening?"

"You're being summoned by your first master!" Sami replied, while Babette completely faded away.


At the hotel, Frida, the secretary had just rubbed the old oil lamp. While her boss was out for dinner with his sister, Frida still had to prepare the files for tomorrow's business meeting. Eventually, she had finished her work and had been on her way to have a drink at the bar. By chance, she had run into Svetlana, a maid from the hotel. Both women had decided to have a drink, and soon, they had been chatting about their work. It had turned out that both had rather poorly paid jobs. Especially, Frida was unhappy with her situation and envied Luca for his success. When she had mentioned that Luca was Martha's brother, Svetlana had a strange smile on her face. Then, the maid had told her something strange: That Martha was a genie that would grant everybody three wishes who rubbed her lamp. If she would word her wish carefully, Frida could easily use Martha to get revenge on Luca and improve her situation at the same time. First, Frida had thought Svetlana had gone nuts, but Svetlana had been very persuasive. Eventually, Frida had agreed and walked over to the lobby, while Svetlana stayed at the bar.
When Frida rubbed the lamp, it began to shake and a green mist streamed out of the lamp. The mist formed into a blonde genie, wearing very revealing, green harem clothes.

"I'm Babette, the genie of the lamp. I will grant one wish and one wish only," the genie introduced herself.

"You're not Martha!" Frida proclaimed. "I thought this was Martha's lamp."

"It was her lamp, that's right. But now, I'm the genie of this lamp."

"I see. And I still get one wish?" Frida ask. "Can you change my background so I will have a better life?"

Again, Babette was forced to answer this question. "I can do that, depending on what you wish for."

"Excellent!" Frida rubbed her hands. "Then hear my wish: I wish that I will live the life of Luca dos Santos, including his position at Brazil Motors, while Luca dos Santos will be my secretary."

This was a horrible wish. Nevertheless Babette had to grant it. And she had to think fast. Then she had an idea how to minimize the damage. "Wish granted!" she said and clapped her hands.
Babette felt very drowsy. Maybe this wish was a bit too much for her. She turned into smoke and returned to her lamp. Just before she disappeared, Babette heard Frida say: "What just happened? Where am I?"


At the restaurant, Frida found herself in Luca's body. Opposite to her sat Martha, Luca's sister. The genie had really swapped their minds. Quickly, Frida assessed the situation. The empty plates and the feeling in her stomach indicated that the dinner was nearly over. To avoid any small talk that might give her away, Frida yawned.

"Are you tired, Luca?" Martha asked.

"In fact, I am!" Frida replied. "It's the jet lag after the long journey. I better head for the hotel and get some sleep. Tomorrow, I have an important meeting with our business partners."

"Then we better head home now. Thank you for inviting me for dinner. It was good to talk to you again, after all these years." Martha said.

Frida called the waiter and paid with Luca's credit card. Soon, both were in a taxi that would first take Martha to her flat and then Frida (in Luca's body) to her hotel.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Part 1: hippo2.deviantart.com/art/Geni…
Part 2: hippo2.deviantart.com/art/Geni…
Part 3: hippo2.deviantart.com/art/Geni…

Part 5: hippo2.deviantart.com/art/Geni…
Part 6: hippo2.deviantart.com/art/Geni…

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