THE MOMENT
*SLUuurrRP* The drink was empty and Barley sighed with satisfaction. She reached back and shuffled her bag around to the front to store the empty cardboard cup and straw.
“Holding on to it?" Zodol asked. Barley had so far proven to be unlike any other Master he'd served, but he was determined to find a way to ruin her like he had all the others. The more he engaged her with questions, the more he was sure he could lead her to a disastrous wish. She seemed decidedly simple.
"No trashcan," she shrugged and gestured at the sandy beach around them. It was late in the evening and the sun was kissing the horizon on its way down. The cool breeze and gentle waves created an inviting evening. Zodol the Daring might have appreciated it more if he didn't have to suffer her company.
"You could wish for one," Zodol chuckled. The blonde woman had wasted her first wish as soon as she discovered Zodol's lamp. Then, he had to wait for her to finish the drink before she would make any others. He did not expect her to take him up on it. But, Barley looked up and down the beach, then shrugged.
"This is a good spot for one, you're right," she nodded. " I WISH there was a trashcan here. An empty one!" she grinned.
"What?" Zodol was annoyed as he felt the magic work. A trashcan materialized and Barley giggled as she pulled the cup from her bag to dispose of it. "You've wasted two of your wishes on... nothing!" He was more determined than ever. And, he realized he needed to act fast because she was far too frivolous.
"I was really thirsty...," she replied with half a nod. "And, it was your idea for the trashcan.”
"Lady, you're as sharp as a marble," Zodol chuckled full of his own smugness. Barley's brow furrowed, and she looked at him.
"What kind of marble?" she asked.
"What does it matter?" Zodol laughed harder. For previous Masters, he'd always played the contrite servant up until after their third wish. "They're all round and pointless; just like you."
"I dunno," she shrugged and missed his insult at her weight. She was rotund; but, it'd never bothered her and she almost never gave it any thought. "If it's broken, those edges can get pretty sharp," she said.
"Do you understand metaphors?" Zodol asked. Barley nodded with a smile.
"Sure, when they make sense," she answered and Zodol saw a new angle.
"You know, you're absolutely right about that. Communication is a tricky thing; but, maybe you could use your last wish on something to make it easier for everyone," he said.
"I do like helping," she nodded. "What's your idea?" she asked.
“I'm powerful; but, I still have limits. Let's focus on making metaphors easier for everyone to understand."
"Oh, that's a good idea!" she said. "I WISH-,"
"WAIT!" Zodol interrupted her. She almost made a useful wish. "Since we're talking about communication, it's very important you word it the right way. Is it okay if I tell you what to say?" he asked.
"Please," she nodded eagerly.
"Okay, make this wish: 'I wish all metaphors were literal’," he said.
"I WISH... wait are you sure?" Barley asked.
"Yes! That's the best way to say it!" She tilted her head at him slightly and stared for a moment without blinking. Then, she smiled.
"Well, if it means that much to you, I don't mind playing along," she said. Zodol was about to ask what she meant; but, she continued speaking and made the wish. "I WISH all metaphors were literal." Zodol felt the magic begin to work even if there wasn't anything to materialize in front of him and he began laughing. Barley appreciated a good laugh and joined in too.
"Oh, hold on," Barley put a hand up to interrupt, then she pointed at a newcomer on the beach. Zodol did not see where he came from; but, a teenage boy with red spectacles was approaching Barley, and her smile grew larger.
"Hey, Turbo!" she greeted him as he approached, and he returned the greeting once he was close enough.
"Hey Barley," he nodded at her, then looked up at the genie. "Hello," he was polite then turned back to Barley.
"I need a huge favor, and you're the only one that can help," Turbo said.
“Sure! Watcha need?"
"Uh, well I was hoping to borrow your next one," he tilted his head at Zodol. "I need a genie for some magic tests; and, it can't be from Sharp Development."
"Awww, Turbo," She leaned forward and hugged him. "You came all the way out here for that? The answer is 'Yes' and it still would have been even with a Whisper."
"I'm also trying to avoid Whispering too much; It's kind of a secret...," he said.
"OH! Gotcha," she made a zipping gesture across her lips, then winked at him. "Next one's yours," she said.
"Thanks, Barley. I appreciate your help," he said as he tossed a black card on the sand. It opened a circular portal that he stepped on, then he sank into it.
"See you soon," Barley waved at him, and Turbo waved at her and the genie; then, the portal closed.
"Hey, I gotta finish up my wishes so I can help Turbo," she said. "I’ll make a quick one. Is there anything you want?" she asked.
"You used them all up, simpleton," Zodol laughed.
"I feel like I didn't..," Barley shook her head. "Can you check how many I have left?"
"Poor...," he began to dismiss her; but, he checked out of curiosity. He could feel that she still had one wish left.
"Impossible!" he said.
"So, I still got one, right?" Barley asked.
"NO! I felt it ... start to work...," he sighed. He'd been distracted by Turbo's sudden appearance and he didn't register it right away when the wish failed.
"How did you know...?" he asked.
"About what?" Barley asked. Her stupidity was getting on Zodol's last nerve.
"HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU STILL HAD A WISH LEFT!? HOW DID YOU KNOW IT WOULDN'T WORK!?"
"The metaphor one?" Barley looked at him with curiosity and ignored his outburst of anger.
"YES!" he nodded.
"It doesn't mean anything," she giggled.
"What are you talking about?" Zodol shook his head.
"If it's literal, it's not a metaphor," she shrugged. "If you make a metaphor literal, it's no longer a metaphor, so it cancels itself out."
"That... can't be how that works...," Zodol shook his head.
"How many wishes do I have?" she asked.
"One...," he sighed. His shoulders drooped. He shrunk down to a more appropriate size to look her in the eye.
"I'm sorry...," she said. "Oh! I WISH I had two ice cream cones! One chocolate and one vanilla please!" she grinned and held her hands out as they materialized in her grip. She grinned at him with the cones.
"Which one do you want?"