"Can you believe some of this stuff?" Karyn said. "What's this? The Envy Skull Pendant? It doesn't look like anything special. See any good costumes, Jon?"
"Not really, Karyn," Jon said. "I mean, there's 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.
"This Envy Skull Pendant seems interesting," Karyn said. The old man grinned and pulled the necklace out from behind the glass and showed it to Karyn.
"Ah yes, the Envy Skull Pendant. There's a terribly long and interesting story behind this one, but I won't bore you with it right now. But allow me to explain some things. First: Whoever wears this necklace will not be able to take it off until the week-long trial period is over. Second: The wearer of the necklace will get whatever anyone wishes, on other words, be very careful what others say as it is extremely powerful. Well, that's about it. I assume the lady will be the one to wear it?"
"Actually, I think Jon would be a better person to wear it," Karyn said.
"Alright, here you go young man," the man said as he clasped the necklace around Jon's neck.
"See you in a week," he said as Jon and Karyn left the shop.
"What was that about?" Jon asked. "'be VERY careful what others say'? What's so dangerous about telling the truth?"
"I don't know, maybe we should try it out."
"Yeah. Well, I guess we make a wish for something and I can grant it, what do you think, Karyn?"
"Okay...
