The Reversal

They got into Brad’s car and pulled out of the parking lot.

“What about my car?” Maisie asked.

“We’ll come back for it, don’t worry.” Brad said, “Now, we’re going shopping.”

“Great,” Maisie sighed, “Time to get things for your personal fantasy list?”

“Actually, no. We’re going to try something a little different. Something not sexual.” Maisie stared at him as he said it.

“And me being in nothing but my panties isn’t sexual?” She asked with a smirk.

“Oh no, that absolutely is for my own enjoyment. You know I’ve always had a crush on you.” This was the first time he’d ever said it out loud.

“Bullshit. You’re only saying that because you have complete power over me now…right?”

“Seriously? You’re fucking with me now, right? You’ve got to be. You really wanna pretend you didn’t know?” Brad was starting to get frustrated.

“No…seriously I didn’t. I mean, of course I’ve had thoughts about you, but I never wanted to mess up what we had. Well, until I went and told you about my life ruining curse that is.” Maisie seemed serious but Brad still didn’t buy it.

“Maisie, tell me the truth: was everything you just said true?”

“Yes” she replied. One word that turned Brad’s whole idea about his plans for the future on their head. One that he knew couldn’t be faked. They pulled into the parking lot to the flea market and just sat in silence once they parked.

“Mais…I’m not a good guy if you haven’t noticed by now. I… well, I was going to take the power and use it like you’d expect. Why did you choose me? Actually, don’t answer that. Maisie, you may redress at any point you would like, including now.” Brad handed her, her clothes.

Maisie started to take the clothes but then said, “wait, what plan did you have in mind for the flea market of all places?”

“I could explain it, or I could show you,” Brad grinned, “Maisie, you are the best negotiator in this flea market. You know the most likely way to get what you want for as little as possible.” As he finished his sentence, he felt a small but sharp pain behind his right eye that went away almost as fast as it had come.

“Brad, what are you doing? That’s not a punishment.” Maisie said, “If what you told me this morning was true, you can’t be helping me, right?”

“We are going to experiment, now put your clothes on and let’s go”

“What, no command?” but she did as he said, redressing and getting out of the car, “Ummm, you know it’s going to be hard to negotiate with people if they don’t acknowledge I exist, right?”

“Damn, Maisie, everything is back to normal and any commands before this point are void” Brad said.

The next few hours were spent going through the market, watching Maisie talk people down to the lowest price and even trade some things she had bought in one stall at another. Things were almost back to a normal, albeit more productive, day of shopping when they came up on one booth whose seller would not negotiate at all. Maisie tried everything she could think of to get this pair of boots until she left defeated.

As they were walking away, Maisie whispered in Brad’s ear “I know what he wants but I can’t bring myself to do it, but if you command me to, I can get those boots.”

Brad was shocked, “command you to do what exactly?”

“To flash him, he just wants a show. I’m too nervous but if you make me, it’ll work. I want those boots dammit.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“If I have to have a stupid curse that removes all my free will in the blink of an eye, at least I can use it for some benefit”

“Alright then, Maisie, do whatever you need to do in order to convince the guy to give you the boots BUT do not let him touch you or go anywhere with you.”

Maisie blinked in surprise, “Alright then”

Without another word Maisie started back to the booth. Brad began to follow but she just held up her hand and he watched as she approached the man again and started talking. He couldn’t make out what they were saying but you saw her start getting closer to him, never touching then “drop” something and bend down super low in front of him. She continued the blatant flirting until suddenly she picked up the boots, paid the man, and walked back over to Brad.

“That was quite the show,” Brad said.

“Yeah well, can we leave now?” Maisie sounded tired.

“Yeah”

They got back to IHOP to pick up her car and Maisie broke the silence, “So, what now?”

“I think I need to talk to your dad. Woah, there’s something I never thought I’d say” Brad laughed but Maisie was serious.

“Why?”

“Well, he may have more insight into how to work a relationship around this curse, he seems to treat your mom right at the very least.” Brad reasoned.

Maisie froze, “A relationship? Don’t you think that’s a bit fast? But…you’re not wrong. As far as I know the only time he ever used it was on the hair test. OK, let me talk to him tonight and I’ll let you know.”

Maisie’s dad was a good man by any account. He had always been defensive of his wife and daughters and now, Brad knew why.

“Look, I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but it’s a place to start.” Brad said honestly.

“Alright, see ya” Maisie said and hopped out of the car.

“Hey, Maisie!” Brad called out, “have a good night” Again, as he finished the sentence he felt the slight pain, but didn’t think anything of it.