Nik [ Friday, 07 December 2007, 08:39 PM ]
Post subject: Bad Dream
Time: Future.<br /><br />So, there I am, working with the *BIG* Tesla coil, the conjugate mirror and the ferrite-array phase-shift module, when there's a loud POP and FLASH--<br /><br />When I finish coughing ozone and checking for damage from that arc-over's ball lightning, I notice I'm not alone in my cellar workshop any more.<br /><br />He's Mid-Eastern, dressed in swirly silks, doesn't look like a typical Jihadist. His ornamental belt-knife is a bit on the scimitar-sized.<br /><br />He didn't come through the door: Opening my cellar's Faraday Cage cuts the power.<br /><br />He is *slightly* transparent...<br /><br />I glance over to the optical bench and the holography table, there's nothing running.<br /><br />''D'uh, hello...'' I offer, ''Are you a Time Traveller ?''<br /><br />''YOUR KIND WOULD--'' <br /><br />Plaster dust and dried blue-tack blobs shower from the ceiling. The Faraday Cage shrieks, buzzes, rattles and clatters like a Heavy Metal concert during accidental feedback.<br /><br />He gulps, tries again at a level below painful, ''Ahem: Your kind would call me Genie or Afriit.''<br /><br />''Er, Hello, Howdy, Salaam, Bonjour, Guten Tag, whatever: What brings you to my humble workshop ?''<br /><br />''My ectoplasm was running low.''<br />''Ah, I might be able to rig a feed, but...''<br /><br />''No, no... I have derived ample nutrition from your sparkly device.'' He chuckled. Rather than sounding jolly, that had subsonics like a funnel cloud...<br /><br />''May I open the door for you to leave ?''<br />''Not yet.'' He chuckled again, ''Are you ignorant of the old legends ?''<br />''None of my business.'' I shrugged, ''I can offer you coffee, but only Instant. There's some yoghurt and bread rolls in the fridge that should comply with Islamic food rules. I've some tinned chicken & mushroom soup in the cupboard, salt on the table, water in the tap...''<br /><br />''Too kind !!'' He chuckles, ''You are a cool one-- Are you a Wizard ?''<br />''I'm an Amateur Scientist, is all.'' I sighed, ''But I suppose we've evolved from those old Alchemists...''<br />''Ah, you follow the Alexandrian Tradition ?''<br />''Figured the Earth was round, got a fair estimate ? Now, THEY were real smart. I'm just a hobbyist-- I do this for fun.''<br />''You stand on the shoulders of giants-- and know it.''<br /><br />''Too kind.'' I nodded, ''But you look as if you have something else on your mind...''<br />''Ahem...'' He chuckled, ''I am required to return a kindness for a kindness.''<br />''Well, it was the best ball-lightning toroid that rig's blown in months, CCTV caught it, I reckon we're even.''<br />''But I did not ask: I am obliged to you.''<br />''So.... ??''<br />''You get a Wish.''<br /><br />''No, thank you.'' I stated, ''You've also given me material for a short story, we're well even.''<br />''You do not want a Wish ?''<br />''Look...'' I waved around, ''Science don't work on Wishes, I'd be dishonest, I'd be cheating.''<br /><br />He puzzled, ''You are old: Do you not wish for Youth ?''<br />''Hey, I'm not that old, not for this era !! I've several active decades ahead of me-- D'uh, and to be young and foolish again ? Think with my hormones instead of my head ? No thanks !! I might not be so lucky this time around !!''<br /><br />''Ah, you are a Philosopher.''<br />''If you like...'' I shrugged, ''Took me long enough to garner the rudiments of wisdom...''<br />''Then would you have Wisdom ?''<br />''I'm only human-- it would drive me mad.''<br />''Fame ?''<br />''Don't like fuss. Or crowds. Also, there is Fame and Fame.''<br />''Ah, you are modest, too... Fortune ?''<br />Again, I waved around, ''This came from my pocket-money. I'm not poor. If I had more, it would only go as tax. Worse, I'd need to explain getting rich suddenly.''<br /><br />''Your people have a Lottery--''<br />''Dishonest.''<br />He inclined his head in salute, glanced beyond the walls, ''You write stories ? Do you not wish fame thus ?''<br />''They're not bad, some are quite good, but they're not Commercial.''<br />''You wrote a novel ? Surely many would pay to read it ?''<br />''Niche subject: I'm not ashamed of it, but it is NOT best-seller material. No way will I go to the Vanity Press. Leave it as an e-zine.''<br />''Hmm... Your wife is sick ? You do not Wish her well ?''<br /><br />''I would if I could, but there is 'improbable' and 'impossible'. Wednesdays, she's in day-care. I've done the shopping, I've time to play.''<br />''She is dying ?''<br />''No more than you or I... She just collects medical problems-- One damn thing on top of another...''<br />''My Powers are great--''<br />''So have a look, if you like, but no obligation.''<br /><br />He faded to invisibility. I checked the Tesla for burns, reset the breakers in the capacitor-pack's charger.<br /><br />''Ahem...'' He was back, ''About that novel ??''<br /><br />-------------<br />And, yes, I know it is derivative, but ...