Francis ignored the genie. He asked the police officer her name.
"Ann," the officer said as she drove.
"And where are you driving to, Ann?" Francis looked back at the genie briefly, then at the street ahead.
"You said someplace secluded, so I'm going to the outskirts of town to the old casino,"
Ann said as she drove.
"Oh," Francis agreed, "That's secluded, all right."
In a few minutes, they were at the old casino. "Here we are!" Ann said happily.
All three got out of the car, and Ann led them to to front doors. "If only we had keys..."
Francis looked at the genie.
"Oh, I'm a locksmith now?" She put her hands on her hips.
"Well, if the shoe fits..." Francis pointed at the door.
The genie shook her head and said, "Okay, it's unlocked. Now I'm a common criminal."
Ann looked quizzically at the genie. "I thought that she was a hooker, but she sure doesn't talk like one."
Francis thought for a moment. Having a genie wasn't something he wanted to explain to everyone. "She's just a talented friend. You should be completely accepting of her and her abilities. They don't seem strange to you."
"No, they don't," Ann said. "Why?" She opened the door, and revealed a poorly lit entry area. Beyond it, Francis could see several tables and chairs.
Francis walked in and looke around. "Cheliba--how about I call you Chelly--could you whip this place into shape? Maybe a middle eastern theme?"
The genie looked exasperated. "Look, bub. I'm no interior decorator. And DO NOT call me 'Chelly!' Genie is okay, or Cheliba, but not Chelly, by all that is wind-borne!""
Francis looked at her for a second. "No, but you will do what I want you to do, isn't that what you said? I wish you'd treat me with a little more respect!"
The genie seemed to blur for a second, then stabilized. Suddenly her eyes went wide, and she knelt before Francis. "A thousand apologies, beloved master! I will immediately carry out your wish." Suddenly, the room was walled with gauzy material of red and yellow, and lit torches appeared on the walls. Benches and tables were scattered throughout, and food and drink were on some of the tables. A pile of large pillows was at the front of the room.
Ann whistled, looking at the room. "I don't remember this!"
Francis, meanwhile, realized that he had made a wish about the genie, and she had granted it, even though it had changed her! Francis considered that pile of pillows at the front, and started to head that way. |