Genie felt very clever about herself. She had been worked thoroughly into a corner and yet got herself out of it without Claire being none the wiser. True, there was a part of her that truly desired to obey her Masters that did not sit well with her tricks (a part of her no doubt foisted on her by the magic that imprisoned her), but Claire must learn that Genie's deserved respect, too.
And then Claire began to make another wish, her fourth now, out of five, and that surprised Genie. Frightened her. She was going through her wishes too quickly, and each wish brought her closer to a new Master, or a very long time in her lamp. Outside it wasn't so bad. She could deal with serving others and attempting to escape her bondage. Even being a woman wasn't the worst thing, though she truly did desire to be male again. But being stuffed in her lamp chilled Genie. She had to stop Claire wishing, in anyway she could. But already she could feel her attention focused like a laser on her Master, her compulsion and forced servitude taking over. Soon she would think of nothing but fulfilling whatever desire her Master said.
And the only thing she could think to do was to interrupt the wish.
"Oh, gracious Master," Genie spoke quickly, "would it not be more wise to take time between wishes, to give time to ruminate and to meditate on your true heart's desire?"
"Did you just interrupt me, Genie?"
"A thousand apologies, Master," Genie said, groveling, "I merely wished to guide and advise you toward the best possible outcome for yourself."
"What are you hiding, Genie? Your groveling is more than usual very suddenly."
The Genie's heart began to beat faster, and she dearly hoped her cheeks did not burn with shame nor her body perspire with worry. "I hide from you nothing, and could hide nothing from a wise Master such as yourself."
Claire put one wrinkled hand up to her mouth and went into thought. She narrowed her eyes, and Genie wondered what she was thinking on. And then she began to wonder if her last wish would withstand scrutiny. She made Claire believe that she was a seventy year old woman and in the correct body. But then, Genie herself had memories that her name was always Genie. She knew, if she thought about it, that was not true. She had a name once, but it was taken from her. Similarly, Claire would believe she was a seventy year old, but she still might be able to discover the truth. And if she did . . . Genie did not desire to spend a thousand years at the bottom of the ocean.
"Master, I tell you true, I have done nothing but grant your wishes and serve you loyally, for you are in possession of my lamp and have freed me from it."
"I wished that Kevin and I could settle on a wedding date."
"And I set it for two months hence, and you were most pleased."
"And then I wished to live in this house."
Genie gulped. "Of course, Master, for it is very beautiful, and I gave it to you as you intended."
"You lie to me, Genie. Because if you gave me my wish as I desired it, why would my third wish to be back in my own body? Why would I threaten to take your lamp and throw it into the Pacific?"
"Master, I, a humble Genie, cannot begin to know your thoughts. I can only do as I am commanded."
"Then I command you tell me the truth, Genie. How did you grant my third wish?"
