Storytelling Week 5: Gene's Early Morning

Gene was awoken by the sound of his phone ringing. Again.

            His wife startled awake as well and checked the alarm clock next to her side of the bed.

            “It’s 4:30 in the morning,” she mumbled, exasperated. “What could he possibly want from you at this hour?”

            “Sorry, dear,” Gene said, grabbing his phone and hurrying from the dark bedroom. “Hello?” he answered the phone as he closed the door behind him.

            “Gene, hey!” exclaimed the voice on the other end of the line. “Listen, I need another favor.”

            “Al, you know it’s pretty early in the morning,” Gene said, rubbing his eyes and sitting at the kitchen table. “Could this not have waited?”

            “You know how impatient my wife can get,” Al said dismissively. “Besides, let’s not forget who is the master of who in our relationship, eh pal?”

            Gene clenched his teeth and took a moment to calm down before speaking again.

            “What can I do for you, then, sir?” he asked wryly.

            “My wife wants a roc’s egg for decoration in the dining room,” Al replied. “She says she won’t be happy until she has it.”

            Gene could no longer contain his anger.

            “Are you kidding me?” he yelled into the phone, forgetting the time of day. A cry rung out from the nursery and he vaguely heard his wife muttering angrily as she got up to calm the baby. “After all that I’ve done for you, you want me to turn my own master into home décor for you and your spoiled wife?”

            “Excuse me-” Al began, shocked at Gene’s defiance.

            “You are both greedy, selfish people,” Gene continued, fuming. “Nothing is enough for you two. You have the biggest mansion in the world, thousands of staff to wait on you, and all the money you could possibly imagine. And still, you ask for more! I should let that imposter in your home murder you like he plans!”

            “What?” Al stuttered. “What imposter?”

            “The one who planted such a foolish request in your wife’s head,” Gene barked. “An evil magician is lurking in your home with plans to kill you and your wife. Now forget your favor and focus on staying alive!”

            Gene hung up the phone and slumped in his chair. Stupid humans, he thought, they’re all the same. Consumed by greed.

            He went back to his bedroom and slid under the covers.

            “I can’t wait until that boy loses our lamp,” his wife said.

            “You and me both,” Gene agreed. “And we really need to start saving now for Junior’s college fund. I don’t want him ending up a genie like me.”

(Genie lamp from pixabay)

Author's Note. This story is based off of the last section of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (6). In this scene, there is an evil magician in disguise who has tricked Aladdin's wife into desiring a roc's egg for decoration in her grand palace. A roc is a giant mythological bird from Middle Eastern folklore and is apparently this genie's master. When Aladdin asks his genie for a roc's egg, the genie gets very angry and tells Aladdin of the imposter in his home. Aladdin then kills the magician and he and his wife live happily ever after.

For my version of the story, I wanted to focus on the genie and how he must feel having to serve Aladdin. I added a wife and child for the genie to make him seem more normal and relatable. I also added modern elements, like having Aladdin summon the genie using a cell phone. I called the characters Gene (the genie) and Al (Aladdin) to make it seem more modern as well. I did keep the lamp, though, and picture the genie family all living in the lamp together :)

Bibliography: The Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Andrew Lang, illustrated by H.J. Ford 1889