"Watanuki!" Yuko sang/screamed through the shop with the lungs of Pavarotti; it was always when Watanuki was doing something delicate, like carrying boiling water or when he was finely julietting cucumber skins. This time was not as delicate, but did result in a a smashed jar of pickles spreading the entire area of the lino floor. "Watanuki! I need you!" she sang, more impatient this time.

"What is it Yuko! Don't you know not to interrupt an artist at work! I don't know why I bother working here!" He rounded the corner to find the sliding doors open and Yuko spread artistically over her chaise longe

"firstly your help, but we'll make that item number four, secondly, fishing pickles out of a jar is not artistic, thirdly, you need to learn how to fish pickles out of a jar without breaking it..." he cut her off,

"It was your fault I dropped the jar..."

"It is also not gentlemanly to interrupt a lady and blame her for your shortcomings. Fourthly I believe you are in need of a wish."

"Is that a statement or a question?"

"A statement, the question is, what is this wish you desire so heavily that I can feel it through the walls?" She seemed to float across the room and drape her gangly arms over Watanuki's shoulders. "It must be something important to be. So." She leant closer to his ears "Strong."

"AAARRRRR! Get away from me you seductive witch!" Watanuki ran from her arms and got to the door before she managed to stop him with,

"Equilibrium must be maintained."

"That's a new phrase, it's usually something to do with predictability and..."

"You want to get to the pickles in the smaller jar."

"How did you...No I don't want to know."

"I can help, for an equal price of course."

"No I don't want."

"Yes you do and I will grant your wish if you say," she lowered her voice and said something inaudible.

"What."

"Your wish is granted." She laughed as she fell into the chaise longe.

"No, no, no, no!" Watanuki ran back to the kitchen flailing his arms while screaming. Hel pulled the sliding doors shut as soon as he entered the safe haven of the kitchen. "Why do I work here." He looked at the table and saw a neat line of pickles, cut and prepped. "What is this going to cost me?" he sighed. He walked towards the pickles on the island counter. "Perfectly done, nice work Yuko." He lifted his hands to pick up the pickles, when Doumeki walked through the back door. "What do you want now dumb arse?!"

"Why do you..."

"Shut up! Yuko was granting me a nightmare by the looks of it! Why is it always me that has to put up with the idiot?!"

"Why is there a jar on your hand?" what Watanuki thought. He raised his hand to shake his fist at Doumeki.

Doumeki loves it when Watanuki's insults are avenged.