Read Online The Third-Class Genie by Robert Leeson - Free Book Online Page B

took the can from beneath his pillow and woke up Abu.
    “Salaam Aleikum, Abu. Keef Haalak? How are you this bright and sunny morning?”
    “IlHamdulilaah,” responded Abu sleepily. “What is thy wish?”
    “We’re going shopping. I need some money. So make with the shekels.”
    “How much is it your wish that I should make?”
    “Oh, fifty pence, I reckon.”
    “What is fifty pence?”
    “Oh, Abu, surely a genius like you ought to know that. It’s a seven-sided silvery coin about this big.” Alec held out his hand. In that instant a coin appeared in it. He thrust it into his pocket, ushered Abu back into the can and went out. He kept his own shopping until last. He had his eye on a rather special sort of ice-cream with fruit, nuts and a dash of something or other like rum. It usually cost too much, but not today, ah, not today. He breezed into the shop and slapped the coin on the counter. The shopkeeper looked at it, turned it over and grinned.
    “Look, Alec. I know we’re part of the EU and all, but this won’t do. Why, it’s not even European. It looks as though it came from the Middle East or somewhere.”
    He turned away to serve a young man who had just come in asking for cigarettes, leaving Alec staring at the coin with its intricate network of Arabic lettering. He might have known. He just might have known. There had to be a snag somewhere.
    “Let’s have a look at that, kid.”
    Alec looked up. The young man, tall, slightly pimply and dark haired, stood over him, holding out his hand. Alec held up the coin, but was reluctant to let it go. The young man’s eyes narrowed.
    “That’s a nice coin.” He gestured with his shoulder and Alec followed him out of the shop. “I collect coins like this. I’ll give you – hm – twenty-five pence for it.”
    Alec hesitated. It wasn’t much, but then, if he wanted English money –
    “Fifty pence,” he said impulsively.
    “All right, I’ll give you thirty pence for it. Where did you get it?”
    Alec shrugged, pocketing the thirty pence.
    “Got any more like it? I’m interested,” wheedled the young man.
    “I might have one or two.”
    “Tell you what. You get me some more and I’ll give you a quid for every four. How’s that?”
    “I’ll think about it.”
    “Look. I’ll meet you at the bottom of the station steps at two o’clock tomorrow. I’ll have up to five quid on me. It’s up to you, kid.”
    Alec went home slowly and thoughtfully. Once home he climbed up to his bedroom and took out the can. He explained to Abu what he wanted. Abu was silent for a moment.
    “I like it not, O Alec.”
    “Yours not to reason why, Abu. Make with the shekels.”
    Abu made disapproving noises but produced twenty shining coins of the same shape and size. Alec opened his drawer where he kept odds and ends, old badges, tokens, marbles, and took out a bag to put the coins in. Then he put it in his back pocket.
    That afternoon it rained and he passed the time in his room with Abu, having a quiet feast and talking of this and that. Abu told him of the great scientists and astronomers of his day. Alec told him of the great modern inventions, the jet plane, the motor car, space travel and television.
    “It is all as written in the Great Book of Magic,” said Abu, “the magic carpet, the all-seeing mirror, the flying horse. Yet from all you have told me, man is no happier.”
    “Oh, you’re just an old pessimist, Abu,” said Alec. He’d begun to feel a little uneasy about the genie. The more he knew him, the more he liked him. He was great company, but he had developed a rather nasty habit of commenting on things and giving advice, even when it wasn’t asked.
    On Sunday, when he went to meet the young man outside Bugletown Railway Station, he left Abu under the pillow. He handed over the bag and received in exchange five, highly useful, pound coins. On the whole he felt pleased with the weekend. He reckoned triumphs one, disasters nil, the first win for