"Once Upon a Time" Flash Fiction entry

As Jamie strolled down the beach the waves lapped at his feet, caressing his bare toes like a girlfriend would.  His right arm ached, the raised fleshy edges of his tattoo still pink and raw.  It would heal by next week, the guy said.   

Sticking out of the sand ahead of him was a wooden post.  A handle, Jamie realised as he got closer. He pulled it several times but nothing happened;  he dropped to his knees and began to dig around its base until his fingers brushed cold metal.

He stood up and gave a final pull, freeing the object.  For a moment he held it aloft then dropped his arms again in shock.  Jamie glanced around and tried to look inconspicuous; no easy feat given he’d just been waving a four foot sword around.

A nearby rock caught his attention. He peered suspiciously into his cocktail glass and then checked again. There was no question about it; sitting on the rock was a genie.  A freaking genie.

“Best put that back” said the genie, examining his fingernails.

 “No way” said Jamie, holding the sword tighter. “I know how this works. I’m not stupid you know.”

The genie looked at the new tattoo on Jamie’s arm; a Chinese character which meant “arm”, and sighed.

 “You’re a genie, right? You owe me three wishes.”

 “Technically, yes. But there are conditions.  No wishing for endless supplies of wishes.”

“How about a wishing tree?” 

The genie rolled his eyes. “No wishing trees. No wishing wells, or magic potions.  Those loopholes were closed down years ago.”

“Fine.  For my first wish....”

 “Something else. Once you let go of that sword, you lose your wishes.  You’re stuck with the thing forever.”

“Wait, I get three wishes and I can keep this sword forever?”

“Yes.  You’ll be forced to.  Good luck getting it through customs.”

“Ah” said Jamie.  “Hadn’t thought of that.”

“Exactly.  Now, if you have no more questions, I’m off.  Once you put the sword back, obviously.”

Jamie sighed.

“OK.”  But I do have one question. What’s the Chinese symbol for ‘genie’?”