LAKE POINT: Jen the Genie

"You really are a genie, aren't you?" Derek asked the woman, circling around her. "Yes, Master. I am." "Uh ... how long have you been ..." "In the lamp?" she said, finishing his sentence. "Yeah." "Many many years, Master." She took a step towards him. Derek could hear the grass being crushed under her feet. She really was there. "I've been waiting for *you*, Master." "Waiting for *me*?" "Well, waiting for someone to be my master. It's important for a genie to have a master. Is it not?" "Uh ... sure. So, what do I call you?" "All my previous masters called me Slave." "Slave? That doesn't sound like a very good name." She looked slightly confused. "But it's my purpose. I am a slave to my master." "Well, from now on, you won't be called Slave. I think I'll call you ... uh ... Jen. You know, like a shorter version of genie. What do you think?" "Oh, I love it, Master. Jen is a very beautiful name." *It is?* Derek wondered. Perhaps the genie was just trying to sound grateful ... for anything. She *was* trapped in that lamp for who knew how long. "So, uh, Jen." "Yes, Master?" "You're a genie, right? So doesn't that mean that you'll grant wishes?"