Be careful what you wish for. Oh, that phrase has been passed down for generations, but one of the wonderful things about humans is their disregard for history. Young, rebellious children convinced that they can make the wish just right, they're smarter, stronger, better, and they won't make the same mistakes as the ones who came before. Find the lamp, rub it, and 1-2-3 down they go. Riches, power, love, it doesn't matter what it is, there's always a twist. (Genie's favorite was an old farmer who wanted to grow taller, stronger crops than anyone. No problem, snap of the fingers – metaphorically, of course – but you didn't anticipate Jack going up the beanstalk and being eaten by a giant. Poor old man, you lost your son, but nobody else has a beanstalk like that. Maybe you should have thought before you asked for the magic seeds. Not that it would have mattered; your son's fate was sealed from the moment you picked up the lamp.)
Too often, though, the wishes are repeats, with little variability. It gets downright boring sometimes, listening to the humans dither about correct phrasing only to turn around and wish for gold. Genie's done the money shtick so many times now that it's almost hard coming up with new and exciting tricks.
Not like the old days; Genie can remember, a millennium ago, when just a comment, a stray thought, a whisper, was enough cause to unleash his magic. The havoc he caused, before chains bound his wrists and a lamp his world. He relives those memories in the long interim between masters, savoring the remembered taste of human suffering and the acrid scent of magic.
Rub, rub, rub, and it's time to get back to work. Maybe this human will be more creative; or maybe not. Either way, Genie will be back in the world, finally. It's been much too long. He'll play with this human a little longer than most, drag out the wishes; humans, after all, do not need magic to suffer. They are very good at hurting themselves, and Genie enjoys all forms of chaos, even if the ones caused by him are best.
The boy is standing there in shock, eyes wide, mouth open, as Genie streams out of the lamp. He's never heard anything about genies, their power, or that age old adage, 'be careful what you wish for'. This one is going to be fun. Genie plays it up, shows his manacled hands, and squeezes a tear from his eye. The boy looks horrified, indignant, and promises to use his last wish for Genie's freedom. It's not the first time someone made that promise, but it is the first time Genie halfway believes it; this boy (Al, his name is Al) is special. He turns away, not seeing Genie's smile turn sly and unpleasant. His first two wishes will be fulfilled perfectly, no twists or tricks. If he's going to keep his promise, he'll have to trust Genie. The happiness grates, but Genie dreams of pain, torture, and wild magic until his chains arc cold fire through him, bring him back to the present. Soon, Genie whispers to himself, soon.
There's a reason Genies were bottled, and soon the whole world will remember it.
