"I assure you Marshall, it is." The Djinn hisses tilting his head to see Marshall better.

"What do I do?"

"Wish it now!" urge the Djinn.

"Where are you from?"

"Do you wish me to make that knowledge available to you?"

"No…I…"

"Outlandish riches? Cars and clothes of the finest, fit for kings?

"No." Marshall shakes his head.

"Perhaps a woman?"

Marshall pauses.

"Make your wish." The Djinn gives his usual evil grin.

"Okay."

Marshall still sits on the ground and props himself up on both elbows.

"I wish that—I had everything that Alas wants."

"As you wish."

Marshall sits there waiting but nothing happens. He stands and inspects both hands then looks back to the Djinn.

"Nothing changed." He says in a panic.

"Precisely, you already possessed the necessary qualities."

"You cheated me!" Marshall yells.

"Not liable for any setbacks." Laughs the Djinn.

Before Marshall can further protest the Djinn grabs him by the face and peels back the skin like a ripe banana. Marshall screams. The Djinn hurls him backward; his body whips through the air like a rag doll. His head hits the side of the building cracking his skull.

Alas sees the whole thing in her dream. She wakes up screaming and rolling on the floor. Her feet hit the stairs running as she makes her way to Marshall's apartment. Tears pour down her face as she burst into his apartment.

"Marshall!"

"Alas glad you made it." Marshall is fully dressed in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the meal.

"What happened did he kill you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The thing, the monster?"

"Is this your way of getting out of dinner?" asks Marshall.

"No—No." Alas realizes how insane she sounds.

"If you didn't want to a simple no would have been sufficient."

"Marshall it's not that way. I'm sorry I've just been having these—bad dreams. I guess I can call them that."

"We can talk if you like?" Marshall has concern in his eyes.

Alas nods.

"I dreamt about you."

"What about me?"

"It's stupid." Alas shakes her head.

"I want to know." Marshall holds both her shoulders.

"The demon he was tearing you apart."

"Me? But I'm right here."

Marshall smiles.

"I had to check on you I was afraid."

Marshall takes Alas's chin in his hand.

"So sweet of you, my butterfly."

He kisses Alas on the lips gently. Then he looks into her eyes.

"Don't be afraid."

He kisses Alas again.

"Have a seat." Marshall pulls out a chair for Alas.

He pours two glasses of wine. Then he serves dinner, pasta with a side of garlic bread. Alas avoids the Djinn conversation and they finish the meal making polite small talk.

"Very good dinner." Alas eats the last of her bread.

"Don't spare my feelings."

"It was delicious."

Marshall glares at Alas with a half smile.

"Let's make a toast."

"To what?"

"To all wishes being fulfilled."

Both their glasses twine as they make the toast