As you examine the various oddities contained within the display case, one item in particular catches your eye. It's not because it's weird looking, or fancy, or anything like that, no, what catches your attention is how ordinary and out of place it seems in amongst the rest of the items. The item in question appears to be nothing more than an old notepad, apparently used, as it's a bit worn around the edges. Beyond that, there really doesn't seem to b anything special about it, certainly nothing that would justify the $29.95 price tag attached to it.
"What have you been guided to?" A voice suddenly cuts in, causing you to jump slightly in surprise. You turn around to see a tall spindly figure looking down upon you. He was at least six foot six, his gaunt white skin and thin features making him seem nearly skeletal. The man wore his beard in a well maintained grey knot that was a foot in length, was dressed in glorious crimson robes with old patterns, and walked on a cane with a HUGE emerald on its head.
"Uh, hi, I guess you must run this place?" you ask hesitantly. The old man simply nods his head in acknowledgement. "Yea, well, I was wondering, what's the deal with this notepad? I mean, there's nothing special about it as far as I can tell, and it's obviously been used, so why is it so expensive?"
"Don't let it's appearance fool you boy. That old note pad is one of the most powerful and reliable items in that case, possessing the power to grant the wishes of whoever possesses it." the old man says.
"Uh huh, wishes, right. Okay, well, I'll be leaving now." you said, intending to get the heck out of their before this snake oil salesman could get his hooks into you. However, what the old man says next catches your attention.
"Ah, so little faith in what cannot be seen. I fear for the younger generations. Very well, if you will not accept my word, perhaps a small demonstration is in order." the old man said, pulling out a large key and unlocking the cabinet, then pulling out the notepad and writing something in it.
As nothing seems to have happened, you say snidely, "Well, I'm waiting."
"Then wait no longer." the old man says, handing you a small hand mirror. "Look into the mirror boy, and tell me what you see." the wizard wannabe instructed. Deciding to humor him, you do just that. For the first second or so, you're confused, seeing only your normal self, but then you discover that something HAS changed, dramatically, and somehow without your ever noticing. "What the heck? What did you do to my hair?! It's, it's green!" you exclaimed, unable to believe what you're seeing for a moment, but it's true, your hair, formerly dark brown, almost black in color, was now a brilliant lime green, and apparently totally natural judging by the roots, which were every bit as green as the rest of your hair.
"Yes." the old man answers simply.
"And all it took was writing a few words in that old notepad? I mean, were they like magic words or...?" you questioned.
"No." the old man answered. "The magic lies in the pages of the book, not within the words themselves, though they do serve as a guide for the power contained within, so be sure to choose your words carefully. Also, though the notepads powers are great, able to make a man rich beyond his wildest dreams, reshape minds and bodies of all those around you, and even bring forth magical abilities in those who have none, they are not without limits. It lacks the power to raise the dead, travel through time, or alter the very fabric of the world itself. You also may find that certain people, places or things may be resistant of immune to it's powers, either in whole or in part, usually due to the subjects own magical nature, though you will occasionally find certain individuals that despite possessing no magic whatsoever, the note pads magic simply will not work on." he explained.
"Wow, and you're just going to hand something like that over to a kid you've never met before?! I mean, it's not that I object or anything, I'd love to have that kind of power, but I mean, how do you know I won't turn evil and try to take over the world, and even if I don't, what happens if I screw up?" You questioned, eager to take possession of the notepad and the power it contained, but more than a little nervous about it as well.
"That will not happen. Though you will almost certainly abuse the items power to some degree, I can sense you have a good heart. And so long as you are careful not to lose it or become unable to use it for one reason or another, any wish made with the note pad can be undone by another wish carefully crafted for that very purpose. Now, if you've no more questions and still wish to purchase this item, I would suggest we conclude our business quickly, I do have other customers to attend to after all." the old man said.
"Of course I want to buy it!" you exclaimed, grabbing a wad of cash from your wallet and slapping it down on the counter, not bothering to count it, as with the notepad, if it's capable of doing even half of what the old man suggested it could, you could become a millionaire if you wanted to with nothing more than a few strokes of a pen, before grabbing your purchase and rushing out of the store, eager to test out you're new wishing powers.
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