Lyle's first wish

Lyle opened his eyes. He was lying in his bed. He didn't remember coming here. He slowly sat up and looked around. His apartment hadn't changed. No, that's not true. His computer was gone. He scratched his head and got up to look around. Actually lots of things were gone or changed. His iPhone was an older model. His watch was cracked even though he'd spent money to repair it last month. Half his wardrobe was missing, including all his work clothes. The clothes that remained were all dirty, including the ones he was wearing now.

He left the bedroom and looked around the living room. His tv was gone. Most of his furniture too. Instead the living room was full of art. Paintings and sketches littered the floor and the walls. An easel was set up with a half finished painted and brushes and jars of paint were laid out on a table nearby. He scratched his head...was he an artist? He pulled out his phone and opened his banking app. He confirmed what he already knew. He was broke. Before his wish he had be poor, but was just making enough money to survive. Now it seemed like he was poor, and had no hope of making it to the end of the month.

Why would Emma respect a job that made no money at all? It didn't make sense. He moved in front of the half finished canvas and stared at it. Could he even do this? He'd wished for a job but had it come with skills? He'd never painted before in his life, well except for kindergarten maybe. As he stared at the canvas he could suddenly see the finish product. Without thinking he picked up a brush and got to work.

5 hours later he slumped into the only chair left in the apartment. He looked at the now finished painting. It was gorgeous. He couldn't believe that he had been the one to make it. Despite the squalid conditions around him as he looked at it he felt hope. His stomach growled. Right, he felt hunger too. A quick exploration of the apartment turned up nothing edible and his previous check of his bank account left him with little option.

Then his phone buzzed. 'Want to grab lunch? My treat!'. A text from Emma.

Hunger or not he would have said yes. He met up with her at a cafe nearby, "Hi Emma." He said smiling. This was his first time seeing her since she'd rejected him, he hoped it wouldn't be too awkward.

"There's my favorite starving artist!" She said, "Any word from that gallery?"

He wasn't sure what she meant, he'd have to look into it later but for now he shook his head, "No. Nothing yet."

She offered a weak smile, "I'm sure you'll hear something soon. Your art is amazing, it just takes time to get recognized. Oh, by the way my new office could use some art. I know you've been itching to do something really big but didn't want to invest in something that might not sell right away. How about a commission?"

Lyle looked at her suspiciously, was she for real? "Yes...of course. You really want me to paint something for your office?"

She reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope, "Yes! Here, down payment. I'll come by tomorrow and we can talk about what I want, ok? I'll bring breakfast."

He looked inside. It was full of cash, "Emma...this is too much."

She shook her head, "Nope. You've taken it so it's a done deal!" She quickly changed the subject. Lyle wasn't sure if she really love his art or not but figured out she was trying to give him money without making him feel like a bum. He was surprised that she would find it attractive for him to be a starving artist but maybe it was just about having a passion. He could understand that.

Obviously the wish had been somewhat retroactive. He supposed he asked to have a job, not to get a job. That might be an important distinction to remember for his next wish. He wondered if changing the past had changed anything about what he'd said to her the other day.

Apparently not. After they finished eating she touched his hand gently, "We're good right? I hope I didn't hurt your feelings. You really are an amazing guy and I'm sure you will make some girl really happy one day."

He swallowed and nodded, "Yes. I'm great. We're great."

She nodded and he could tell she didn't believe him 100%, but she didn't push. She obviously wanted to remain friends, and so did he. Still he had more wishes left. He could still make himself worthy of her.

After he got home he lit the candle again. This time he knew what to expect and sat down and waited for the smoke ball to form. He saw the level of the candle dropping steadily as it formed. Finally the face appeared, "What is your desire?" It asked.

He looked at the head, "I have a question. You said your wishes can't be undone, so does that mean I'm stuck as a freelance artist forever?"

"No. Simply that you may not wish for another job." It said.

He nodded. So he could still get a new job and give up being an artist. Although...he'd actually enjoyed painting this morning. It wasn't the painting that bothered him, it was the lack of money. "I wish I was rich." He said.

"Apologies Master. There is not enough wax to change reality that much."

"Huh? Is it really that much? You changed my apartment, people's memories of me, isn't that way more?"

"I cannot make wealth appear. To make you rich I would have to take it from someone else and there is not enough wax left to diminish others." It explained.

Lyle sighed. He couldn't make himself rich. Hmm, Emma didn't actually really seem to care that he was broke. If anything she seemed happier with him now than before his first wish. Maybe it was his appearance?

He looked down at himself. He had to admit, he wasn't that impressive. He was only 5'7", making him eye to eye with Emma herself. He was rather scrawny and had no muscle definition to speak of. His face was too round and his hair too unruly. He wasn't surprised she didn't find him attractive.

He had to think about this carefully. If he suddenly looked like someone else entirely it would be difficult to explain. If he made it retroactive it would have pretty **** changes in his history. He could make the changes happen over time...but he was a little bit impatient. Maybe he'd just see how far off he was, and use another wish to adjust reality again?

"Genie...if I made a wish to change my body would there be enough left to make people accept the new me?" He asked.

"I cannot say. Changing others is difficult. Changing your own body is simple." It replied.

Argh, that didn't help. "Fuck it. I wish I had the body of Emma's ideal romantic partner!"

Again the smoke filled the room and Lyle slumped over as the magic took hold.