Monday Morning Micro Madness Presents:

I’m a Genie

By S.T. Hoover

He stood at the side of the road in tie-dye boxers and a black bikini top. In one hand, he held an outstretched thumb. In the other, a sign hastily slapped together from pieces of trash he’d found along the desert highway:

I’m a genie! Two wishes left! Get them while they’re hot!

It was enough to convince Augustus to pull off California 62, although he was still twenty miles away from town. He’d seen a few odd hitchhikers in his day, but never one so odd as this. Careful not to pull too far into the soft shoulder, Augustus brought the semi to a halt and unlocked the door.

The man hopped in, leaving his sign behind in the heat. He extended a hand.
“Name’s Fartboy. Just Fartboy.”

Augustus cocked an eyebrow.

“Some seven-year-old’s idea,” Fartboy clarified. “Kid came out swinging, first wish! Musta had that saved up. Next two wishes…” He gestured to the bikini top and boxers. “I’m a genie. Ya saw the sign, I’m guessing.”

Augustus nodded, and they pulled back onto the road.

“What made you believe it?” Fartboy asked.

Augustus shrugged.

“So where we heading? 29 or thereabouts?”

Augustus nodded.

“Good, good. I could use a drink. Last guy who rubbed me out asked to die. Nothin’ more! Poof, dead as dead gets, to dust he did return and whatnot. Anyway, you wanna use these last two wishes? Free game, my man!”

Augustus said nothing.

“Gotta think about it, I see. No problemo. Everyone needs a few extra minutes to think it over. Just let me know when. It’s the least I can do to thank you for giving me a ride into town.”

Silence followed them into the city of 29 Palms and Augustus’s stop, the local supermarket. There, he left Fartboy in the front seat of the cab for three hours while he slept in the rear.

That night, they drove on.

At midnight, Fartboy asked, “You done any more thinking about those wishes?”

Augustus shrugged, and that was their night.

The next day, he picked up an order in San Francisco and headed for Denver.

“Any plans for those wishes yet, boss?”

Augustus shook his head.

Two nights later, they arrived in Denver and made the drop. From there, the goal was San Antonio.

“So, about those wishes…”

Augustus held up a hand.

A day later, they dropped off their order and set course for New York City.

“Come on, man. You’ve got to know what you want by now!”

Augustus held out his palm and jostled it. Still not sure, but closer than ever.