Magic Lamp -4- The Twist of a Wish

Once again the entire world opened up to Genie. Every possibility at her disposal, with or without magic, was available to her. She knew exactly what her Master wanted, of course, was to own the mansion free and clear, and Genie could do that. And a part of her very much wanted to give her what she wanted.

But Genie also remembered how Claire had tricked her earlier, and the way Claire seemed to love lord oven Genie. So Genie could grant her Master's wish in such a way that the current owners of the house could force a legal battle for the house, and she could even time it to start right around the time of the wedding, perhaps ruining both.

But the last option Genie saw as somewhat viable was a loophole in Claire's wish. Her Master had commanded that she and her fiancee live in the house, not to own it. And this house came with currently unoccupied servant's quarters. With one snap of her fingers, Claire and Kevin would feel how it was to be a servant to another.

With these options laid out in her mind, Genie made her decision and granted her Master's wish. One moment, Claire was standing outside of the mansion, the lamp in her hand, and the next moment, she was inside the mansion, holding the lamp. But something was wrong.

Claire stared down at her hands, which were old and wrinkly. "What ... what the hell is this?!" She dropped the lamp on the expensive floor, then ran to find a mirror. As she moved, she felt pain in places she never felt pain before and knew she shouldn't be now. It was also hard to walk. What was happening?

Genie’s Master finally found a mirror and screamed at her appearance. She was old, like maybe in her seventies. But she wasn't the old version of herself, but instead, Genie had placed Claire inside the body of the elderly couple who currently owned the house, one Olivia Harrison.

Claire wanted to live in this house and since Olivia lived in the house, Genie simply placed Claire within Olivia's body, and also placed Kevin in Olivia's husband's body.

"Genie!" Claire yelled with Olivia's voice. She was definitely angry, and who could blame her? This obviously wasn't what she wanted, even though it technically did match what she wished for. But Genie knew the only way to fix this would cost her Master another wish.

The moment Genie completed her Master's wish and transported her and her fiance into the bodies of the house's current owners, Genie went back into her lamp. Her heart and imagination went wild as soon as that happened. What if something had gone wrong and Claire was no longer able to wish upon her, and what if the lamp was lost, and what if it was buried, and what if . . . Then her world bounced and crashed to the ground, sending Genie to and fro in her little vessel. Unable to see or hear the outside world, she could do nothing but stare at the spout of her lamp and await her Master. She truly hoped her plan had worked and she would now be serving a new, more gracious and grateful Master.

When she was released again, she turned and came face to face with a little wrinkled woman named Olivia Harrison, who now possessed the soul of Genie's Master Claire.

"This is unacceptable, Genie, and you will undo it."

"I apologize, Master. I have given you this house that you so desired, what is it that displeases you?"

"Oh, do not play stupid with me, Genie." Olivia said, putting her hand on her hip, and other on a nearby table for support. She was breathing heavily.

"I would never play stupid with such a wise and generous Master such . . ."

Olivia waved Genie's words off. "I will not let you draw me into an argument. You are my slave and you will obey me until my wishes have been granted. Do I make myself clear?"

Genie nodded and bowed. "Of course, Master," while she thought to herself, "what a bitch."

The old woman eased herself into a seat. "Good. I still have three wishes, yes?"

Yes, Claire did still have three wishes left. But by an unexpected twist, Mrs. Olvia Harrison had five. Even though she wasn't mentally present at the moment, Olivia would be granted five wishes of her own. But as it turned out, it didn't matter when Genie could grant her wishes. She could, in fact, grant them right now. Perhaps she could encourage Olivia’s mind to the surface, or she could just continue with Claire. Quite oddly, Genie found she had a choice at last. So what should Genie do? Allow Olivia to make some or all of her wishes first? Or let Claire finish off her three remaining wishes, and grant Olivia's wishes later?