II
Norm and Funk stared blankly at Remy before shouting in unison, "WHAT?!"
Remy blushed and looked down, feeling a little self-conscious. "That's what I wish… You said you could grant any wish I wanted and that's what I want: Parents who love me."
"Kid, we don't even know you. What makes you think we'd want to be your---?!" Norm was cut off by Funk elbowing him in the ribs. "What's your malfunction, pinky?!"
Funk glared at Norm. "Don't be a bully," She said firmly. She turned to Remy and smiled. "Well, you didn't wish for us to be your parents. And if you did wish us to be your parents, there's a good chance we'd be doing exactly what your real parents are doing. But, since you asked so nicely for us to pretend we're your parents, I'll agree to it."
Norm crossed his arms and frowned. He wanted to say something but he kept quiet.
Remy hugged Funk. "Really? Thank you so much!"
The pink genie was surprised by this action; she wasn't used to being hugged. Instead, she merely patted Remy's head and smiled.
Norm glared at her. He was remembering how she had conned him out of horse race bet. Funk had tricked Norm, which was fairly impressive, into betting on the losing horse while she bet on the winner. She was a sneaky one, Funk. Not as sneaky as Norm could be, but sneaky all the same.
The blond smiled widely at his genies. He looked out the window and noticed that the sun was setting. "Are you guys hungry?" He asked.
Funk shook her head. "I'm fine." Remy turned to look at Norm, who also shook his head.
"Okay, well, make yourselves comfortable. I'm going to go eat something and I'll be back up in a bit." He smiled at them and walked out of the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Norm spoke. "What the hell do you think you're doing, pinky?"
Funk faced him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean what are you doing, telling this kid we'll be his parents? I am not a father, nor do I want to be. Whatever it is you're up to, leave me out of it."
"Norm, this kid is just like us. He's all alone; no one cares about him…"
"Not our problem," Norm replied stubbornly.
Funk glared at him. "It is now that he's our master."
Norm frowned. "You're a lot like me, pinky, so why are you so set on helping him? I could care less, and so should you."
"I want to help him because I feel the same way he does. I know you do too." She paused. "What do you mean I should care less?"
"Because I'm always trying to screw up my master's wishes on purpose."
"Maybe that's why no one has wished you free." She said, crossing her arms.
Okay. That comment stung. "You know what, you little bitch? So what if that's true? What about you? Why are you still not free?"
Funk turned away from him. "Because I trick people too," She replied, annoyance creeping into her voice. "And humans are greedy, so they deserve it."
"Exactly!" Norm shouted, floating in front of her. "See? You're the same way I am."
"This is different…"
"No, it isn't! He's the same as every other master we've ever had! You've never had a kid master, have you?"
Funk shook her head. "No…"
"And the fact that you're a woman doesn't help."
"Are you being sexist?!" Funk growled and grabbed his collar.
Norm raised his hands in a 'hey-hey-take-it-easy' gesture. "I'm just saying that because you're a woman, you have what is known as 'maternal instincts' and you pity him because he's a kid."
Funk released Norm's shirt and glared. "That doesn't make it any less offensive."
Norm chuckled. "You know… You're pretty cute when you get all fired up like that…"