"Can you believe some of this stuff?" Karyn said, picking up a small box that was bound in leather. "What's this little box? It doesn't look like anything special, as far as jewellery boxes go. See any good costumes, Jon?"
"Not really, Karyn," Jon said. "I mean, there are some interesting outfits here, but I'm not sure I'd call them 'costumes', and even at 50% off, some of these prices seem a bit steep."
A short while later, the old man reappeared from behind the curtain. "See anything you like?" he asked.
"This is an interesting shop," Karyn said. "But I'm not sure we're willing to spend the prices you're asking."
"Ah, I see," the old man replied. "In that case, let me make you an offer. I'll loan you one item in this store, for oh ... let's say, a week. You can try out the item, and if you're not perfectly satisfied, you can rent any costume here for an 80% discount. What do you think?"
Jon and Karyn thought for a moment, then Jon spoke up. "Well, the costume dance is just over a week away, so I guess we still have time to get costumes. I'm game. What do you think, Karyn?"
"Yeah, I guess," she said.
"Well, do you know what item you'd like?" asked the old man.
"Tell me about this little box," Karyn said. "What's in it?" The old man grinned as Karyn handed the small ordinary-looking box she'd found earlier to him.
"Ah yes, the Circle of Stones," the old man said as with great care he unfastened the concealed clasp to the lid of the jewellery box. He tenderly pulled back the lid to show three precious stones resting in the velvet padding inside. Three smooth, dark blue and perfectly round gems, arranged in a triangle.
"Wow... those are gorgeous!" Karyn gasped. "Can I touch them?"
"These are more than just trinkets, young lady," the old man frowned and held the box away from Karyn. "There's a terribly long and interesting story behind them, but I won't bore you with it right now. But allow me to explain some things. This is a powerful socialisation of magic known as the Circle of Stones. Each bearer of a stone may have any of their wishes granted, but beware! Only those requests made relating to a bearer within your Circle will be granted as you desire. What is more, wishes may only be reversed if at least half of the circle wishes them so. Finally, only stone bearers, those within the Circle, will notice the results of these wishes as they happen. All other people will treat any changes to reality as they have always been."
It was then that the old man noticed Jon and Karyn's concerned glances to each other.
"I know what you're thinking and yes, this magic could be harmful if used incorrectly. But if you choose the right people, you can all share tremendous happiness for the rest of your lives. Well, that's about it. So, are you interested?"
"Yeah, sure, I guess," Karyn said as she took the trio of stones from the box.
"We're just kinda nervous around magic wishing stones," Jon explained.
"You seem a bright couple of young folks, I'm sure you'll do the sensible thing." he said as Jon and Karyn left the shop. "See you in a week!"
Pausing outside the shop window, Karyn handed one of the stones to Jon.
"Are you sure you want me to have this?" he asked.
"Sure I'm sure," Karyn replied. "I know I can trust you Jon, you're a nice guy and my best friend."
"Thanks," Jon blushed. "I... I appreciate you saying that."
"Besides," Karyn smiled, "a few months ago you shared your wishing rock with me, so now I'd like to return the favour!"
"Heh, thank again," Jon smiled again. "So who are we going to give the last stone to?"
"I don't know, but I have a few ideas," Karyn grinned. "Hey, look."
Looking over her shoulder, Karyn saw the old man staring at them through the shop's window. He smiled cheerily and waved at them. Karyn and Jon waved back at him and walked away across the mall.
Inside the shop, the old man grinned to himself. He closed the lid of the small jewellery box, then turned it upside down in his hands. He delicately unclasped another concealed latch and slowly opened the base of the box like a second lid. Within this other compartment was the same velvet that lined the other interior of the jewellery box, and snugly cushioned in it were three more stones - identical in every way to the trio Karyn and Jon had taken with them!
"Excellent," mused the old man. "Now who should I decide to give the remaining half of the Circle of Stones too?"
"Ah, perfect!" the old man cackled to himself as he heard the bell ring, announcing the arrival of his newest customers. "You'll do very nicely!"
The door swung open and into the small shop walked none other than...
