Jake spotted a beautiful necklace. It was a simple gold chain, but there was something about the way the light bounced off of it...
"See something you like?" A voice came from behind.
Jake spun around to see a man standing behind him, with a nametag that read "Jon"
"Um, well I'm looking for something for my girlfriend. I like that necklace."
"I see. Well, most people would buy that necklace for themselves. But it would make an excellent gift."
"Why would I want that for myself?"
"Allow me to explain. That necklace holds great power for whoever wears it."
Jake was strangely interested in the man's story. Normally he'd say he didn't have time and just buy the thing and leave. The man continued.
"It once belonged to a powerful sultan. But he misused it and it eventually slipped from his posession. Few have held it for long since, because of its power. You see, it grants wishes."
"Well, that doesn't sound so bad."
"Well, the wishes aren't the bad part. It's a strange kind of magic, you see. How can I explain... are you familiar with Newton's third law?"
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction?"
"Right. Whenever a wish is made, the necklace must draw in magic energy. To compensate, magic energy must also be discharged."
"What does that mean?"
"Whenever a wish is granted by this necklace, something else will change too. The changes to reality are random, but usually limited in magnitude relative to the wish, and if the magnitude is small enough, is usually within a close range to the necklace. Oh, and only those that hear the wish will notice either of the changes."
"That's an interesting story. But why should I believe any of it?"
"Remember the Amazon Desert?"
"No."
"Exactly. Look, why don't you buy the necklace anyway. Even if it doesn't do what I know it will do, I'm sure your girlfriend will love it."
"Alright. I guess I don't have much to lose."
Jon paid for the gift and carried it out to his car. As he began to drive back to his apartment, he looked at the necklace and began to ponder what Jon had said to him. Could this thing really grant wishes? And even if it did, would it be worth these random changes?
