Strange morning 3

Over an amazing breakfast, I learned that the genie, following ancient, sorcerous, genie laws, he was allowed one un-wished display of power to each new master, prior to any of the three wishes were used.

Its pretty uncreative, I know, but the first thing i began interrogating him about was money -- my first thought of a wish being to wish away all my various debts and loans and whatnot. He explained that due to all the laws being written in a much more simplistic economical system than modern Western capitalism, one wish would equal one such transaction -- so the way to do it was to just wish for the money to pay everything in one chunk, and then make all the separate mortgage/car/loan payoffs myself. He said he'd even worked out how to directly deposit any amount magically into a bank account. I asked whether he knew if money that magically appeared in my bank account was taxable? He shook his cloud-head sadly and said that even genies don't mess with the IRS.

I also asked if he could grant a wish to create for me exactly the perfect glaucoma gene therapy vector that i'm chasing after at work. He said that yea, he probably could, but usually people cut out the middle man and just wish for things to be cured. Seemed really obvious after he said it.

I decided on my first wish, though, after watching him entertain the kids during breakfast. I wished for him to make himself available to babysit every Friday night until Ethan turned 16 (just to be on the safe side). That way Audrey and I could go on dates and get away at least once a week, knowing that a potent mythological being was bound by the strictures of ancient sorcerous law to protect and care for the kids. Didn't get a chance to talk it over with Audrey first, though, so I hope she thinks its a good idea, too.

There - now you're all caught up. Told you it was a strange morning!