Read Genie and Engineer 1: The Engineer Wizard for Free Online Page A

spark plugs with the carbon blown out.
    “Theoretically speaking, you shouldn’t be here,” Paul
observed lamely, backing up even farther, smack up against the workbench.
    The giant figure smirked. “Obviously, this ‘Theoretically’
person knows naught of which he speaks.”
    Feeling overwhelmed by the genie’s presence and even a bit
faint, a quote finally popped into Paul’s head. “‘I’ve always found that
sticking your fingers in your ears and humming loudly solves a whole slew of
problems.’ Jack O’Neill, Stargate SG-1 . I am sorely tempted to try it
this one time.”
    The genie grinned widely. “I’ve always valued a master with
a sense of humor.”
    Sighing, Paul clenched his teeth and tried to pull his
thoughts together. “Michaels said that you only grant three wishes.”
    The genie’s grin was daunting. “Glenn Michaels is correct.
But three wishes should be enough for any man, don’t you think? What shall they
be?”
    More synapses fired. “And there are strings attached.”
    The huge genie swung his arms out wide and laughed again
loudly. “So he told you that, did he? Yes, it is said that for every action,
there are consequences, good as well as bad.”
    Paul’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “He also said that you
answer questions, but that your answers don’t often make much sense.”
    For the third time, there was a booming laugh. “Knowledge is
like catching a wild butterfly.”
    At first, the genie’s answer seemed to make no sense. Then Paul
realized his implication: Wild butterflies were elusive and difficult to catch.
And when caught, they often lost their luster.
    Paul gulped and nodded thoughtfully. “He also said that
questions don’t count as wishes.”
    The genie shrugged, those massive arms resuming their
position across his chest. “Conversation is cheap. Ask what you will, wish what
you want. I will answer to both.”
    “I see,” Paul replied. Then he remembered something else
from Michaels’s note. “I thought you were only supposed to come out when I use
a certain magical phrase.”
    The genie gave a smug smile. “Yes, to be sure, you are
correct. However, the words don’t have to be said out loud. You were thinking
them.”
    “Ah, I see. I’ll have to be more careful about my thoughts,”
Paul noted sarcastically. “By the way, did you enjoy scaring all the people in
my church?”
    Again, the smug smile and the shrug. “I did as you bid. Like
you said, it is wise to be careful. And now, are you ready to make your first
wish?”
    “I...ah...that is...ah, no,” Paul stammered.
    “No?” the genie replied in surprise, his smile fading
slowly.
    Paul crossed his arms and slid along the workbench, further
from the genie. He realized that he still wasn’t ready to confront the reality
of his situation and that he badly needed time to come to terms with the idea
of a genie granting him three wishes, let alone of making decisions about what,
if anything, he wanted to wish for. No, Paul needed time to analyze the notion
of genies, magic, and wishes and to explore all the potential implications and
ramifications thereof. There was research to do, web searches to make! This
whole situation screamed for an impact study, a fault-tree examination,
boundary assessments—maybe even a fishbone diagram! He was an engineer, blast
it, not an impulsive gambler!
    Slowly and deliberately, Paul said, “If I only get three
wishes and those will all have some negative side effects, then I want...that
is to say, I intend to give it considerable thought before making any wishes.”
    Most of the genie’s smile returned. “Ah, so you really are a
wise and careful man after all. Very well, Paul. Whenever you want a wish
granted or if you simply want to talk, you know how to summon me.”
    Paul nodded in appreciation. “I understand....” But then he
discovered that he didn’t really have anything further that he wanted to say
and that mostly, he was anxious to terminate this