Tale of Hal                 main

Again the old Indian chief walks out before the eager throng of children.“Today, I will tell the tale of Hal!”
The news is met with a whooping sound.

As the children calm themselves the chief begins.“Hal loved Mary very much, he had been very poor when they met. He remained poor as they fell helplessly in love. He remained poor when they married. While he was poor he decided he would make her every wish come true. Hal wanted Mary to live a fairy tale life so when he won 75 million dollars, before taxes, in the lottery he didn't let her know. Instead he bought an archaic looking Arabian oil lamp, and enlisted the help of his gizmo obsessed friend, Robert. Robert would be given a million dollars for his help.
“Together Robert and Hal created a voice activated communication system. When Hal said 'I wish' it activated, it deactivated when Robert pressed a button, which would make it say 'it is done.'
“Robert had a small workshop prepared to grant Hal and Mary's wishes. Hal had found a house for them, and a real estate agen who was up for the game. Robert had found a website that could get them any car within a few hours, delivered to Hal's new door. The website offered the ability to give messages upon delivery. It was ready for the game. Mary had as of yet undiagnosed breast cancer. It had progressed quite far. It was in no mood to play the game.
“Hal and Robert were ready, the device worked flawlessly. The real estate agent was waiting in the wings for the game to start. So it did. Hal cam ehome to his poor man's home, in his poor man's car, to his loving wife.

“'Honey,' he started, 'the strangest thing happened to me today. A well-off man pulled up beside me in a new Bentley. He stepped out of his car and he said to me that he had been just like me a week ago, that he would now give me what had made his life so right.' Hal then rooted through his work bag, then pulled out his magic lamp. 'He gave me this.'“Mary responded, 'it didn't cost you anything, did it?'
“'Not a dime. I'm a little skeptical but what harm is there in trying?' With that Hal began to rub the lamp. 'I wish for a great big new house.' Hal watched the lamp intently for thirty seconds then came a reply, 'it is done.'
“Moments later there was a knock on their front door, Mary answered cautiously.

“'Margaret Wilson, JLC Realty.' Margaret handed a portfolio describing Mary's new home and glossy pictures. This house's value was $700,000, quite a hefty sum. 'This is yours now.'
“Mary shot a perplexed look to Hal, then to Margaret, then to the portfolio. 'Is this a joke?' Margaret looked to Hal, then pulled out a pair of keys, then Margaret spoke again. 'I can lead you over there.' “After a few days and some more convincing, Hal and Mary moved into their new home. One day, home from the store, Hal looked back and forth between their car and their home, then he spoke 'Honey, we really should have a car to better reflect this home.'“Mary was quick to reply, 'Honey, I am a little worried about the house still, it must be some awful mistake, we can't tie up money on anything just in case. Hal felt a little frustrated, she wasn't very in to the lamp, so he had to bring it up, 'We could try the lamp again, dear.' Her face showed subtle disapproval, Hal ran in and nabbed the lamp, walked in front of Mary. 'Mary what kind of car do you want?' Mary looked around, 'this is silly.' 'Come on, what could it hurt, look at the house.' 'Ok,' she cracked a furtive smile, 'how about a red Avenger.' Hal rubbed the lamp, and spoke the activation words.
“'I wish for a red Dodge Avenger,' after a pause the lamp retorted, 'it is done.'“After a few second Mary's smile faded. They both headed in. She felt a little ill, her undiagnosed breast cancer had become malignant.“Three hours later there was a knock on the door. Mary responded, opening the door cautiously.

“'Mike Roberts, are you Mary?'
“'Why, yes.'
“Mike pulled out a pair of keys, and pointed to a red Dodge Avenger, saying 'This is yours now.'
“It took awhile before Mary felt comfortable about the car. But she did. A few days later, Hal had his lamp out again. Mary's eyes opened wide, 'What now, honey?'
“'I wish for permanent financial safety,' a pause followed by the lamp, 'it is done.' Mary looked at the lamp, then the phone rang. Mary answered it, a voice said 'This is Nancy Carroll of Bank of America, am I speaking with Mary Pratte?'
“'Why, yes.'“'Mrs. Pratte, I was calling to inform you that a joint saving account has been opened for you and Hal in the amount of 50 million dollars. Have a good day, and I hope we at Bank of America will serve your banking needs well.' Mary hung up, then turned to Hal.
“'Honey? We have fifty million dollars?!' They celebrate, hugging, kissing, the would be safe forever.

But Mary was feeling more ill, so ill she saw a doctor. So ill the doctor wouldn't let her go home. Hal received a phone call from Mary on his new cell phone.
“'Hello,' Hal said.
“'Honey, I'm in the hospital, could you bring something?'
“'Anything, dear,'
“'Your lamp.'
“A tear rolled down Hal's face as he picked up his magic lamp. He entered Mary's room and was promptly informed of Mary's non-game playing, malignant diagnosed breast cancer, which has spread to other parts of her body. Mary was in terrible pain, she looked up to Hal, and spoke, 'We already used three.'
“Hal looked confused, 'what dear?'
“'The house, the car, the money, we might not have another. But if we can, I want to spend more time with you, Hal. I want to raise children with you. I want ot grow old with you, Hal. You've made my life a fairy tale, and I want to ever after to last longer, as long as possible.' Tears flowed freely from both of them. Hal pulled out the lamp, and spoke the word, 'I wish my wife to get better, to live long with me, to grow old with me, to be with me, to love me...' Hal broke down and ceased to make intelligible words for some time, he held his wife close.
“'Then Hal's cell phone rang, cautiously he answered, 'Hello?'
“'This is Robert, I can't do that last one. I'm still getting paid, right?'
“'Yes.'
“Mary looked up, thinking that call was concerning her, Hal read that in her eyes, and shook his head no.
Mary died later that week. Hal died thirty-eight years later. Robert was indeed paid one million dollars.”

The Indian chief put his hands together, signifying the story's end.
“Huzzah!” cried the children.

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