Fandango’s Flashback Friday – October 2, 2026 -Deal with a Genie

Oil lamp, balance scales, books, scrolls, and brazier on a desk

Last time the genie prompt rolled around two years ago, this was my take on it. I hope you enjoy it! In popular literature, genies are trouble. They always set us up to fail after the tricksy trio of troubled desires condemns us to an obscure and miserable fate—shudder. You'd think we'd learn.Oh boy, here's …

Three wishes? What’s the catch?

What's the catch?

Genie

Damn! I hate genie stories. First of all, they all assume that genies have integrity issues. The genie is always trying to trick you into some idiotic mistake of syntax or grammar that sends you off on some spooktacular journey. I think that most of the bad feelings are an apparent effort to transfer or project our own ethical …