From: Ellie Dauber Subject: SRU: So Long For Now Date: Wednesday, December 15, 1999 3:40 PM If we're going to write "Goodbye" stories, I thought that I'd get my two cents in. All sentiments are true. SRU: So Long For Now by Ellie Dauber Copyright 1999 -- May be posted to FREE sites The Wizard was in the back of the shop when the bell over the door rang. "Good," he said. "I wasn't sure if I'd be able to reach him." He turned to an attractive young woman who was looking through some bills of lading. "Danni, you keep working on the inventory. I'll be out front." By the time the Wizard had come through the curtain that separated the front and back of the shop, his customer had managed to walk most of the way to the counter. He walked slowly, looking all about at the merchandise but being very careful not to touch anything. "Hello, -- umm -- Mindy," the Wizard said. "It's real. It's really real." "Was there every any doubt? It takes more than just a good idea to generate so many different authors to write so many stories." "Then the stories are real, too." "Yes, though not all of them happened in this particular time line. Actually, there are a couple of different versions of me running Spells 'R Us stores in different parts of the Multi-verse." "So that's why you act differently in different stories." "Well, that's part of it. Each of us do have several different reasons for operating the store." He paused a moment. "But where are my manners. Please have a seat." He gestured and a pair of overstuffed chairs materialized. He sat in one and motioned for Mindy to sit in the other. "Now what happens? I tell you what I want, and give me some booby-trapped magic item?" "Heavens, no. If you ever do want to make a change, I'll be glad to oblige -- and no, tricks or traps, I promise -- but right now I just thought that you needed a little time to unwind." "So you know what's going on." The Wizard smiled and pointed to a sign on the wall behind the counter that read "Of course, I know. I'm a Wizard, aren't I?" Mindy smiled. "And the sign changes, too." "It is a magic shop, after all. I know that you're closing down FictionMania, and I know the reasons why. I don't like them, but I support your decision. No one should have to put up with what you did towards the end." He sighed. "It is a shame, though." Mindy sadly nodded in agreement. "May I offer you some tea? It's real tea, nothing magic except for how good it tastes." When Mindy nodded, the Wizard called out, "Danni, fetch out tea for three -- yourself included." "Coming up," a woman's voice called out from behind the curtain. Just then the bell above the door rang again. "You sit and watch," the Wizard said, getting up. "You may enjoy this one." A young man in a tight muscle shirt walked slowly towards the counter. He stopped and looked at a small display of items next to a hand-lettered sign that said "Romance Goods". "Looking for something in particular, Eddie?" the Wizard said. "Yeah, hey, how'd you know my name?" The Wizard pointed to the sign which now read, "Because I'm a Wizard. Just tell me what you want or need." Eddie scratched his head for a moment. He was big, over six foot tall and built like a weight lifter. His hands were the size of catcher's mitts. "Okay, I'll go along with the gag. You probably seen my face on that poster for the wrestling team." "No, but you can believe that if you want." "Whatever. I need something for my girl, something to get her more into the mood. I mean _really_ into the mood, so she'll try some of the things I want her to do. She's a little too prudish, if you know what I mean." "I do, and I think I have just the thing for you." He reached behind the counter and took out a small vial of pinkish liquid. "Pour some of this into her drink. It mixes in with no flavor or color that she'll notice." "And this will do it. She'll be willing to bl-- she'll do what I ask her?" "I guarantee that you'll experience sex in ways that you never thought possible." "How much?" "For you, Eddie, only $69, including tax." "Sixty-nine! Ha, I get it. Maybe I'll do a little of that, too." He reached into a pocket and pulled out an overstuffed wallet. He counted out four twenties and handed them to the Wizard. The Wizard gave Eddie the change. "Oh, I'm sure you will." The Wizard watched Eddie leave the store then came back over and sat down in his chair. "And what _exactly_ will that potion do?" Mindy asked. "Double gender change and a lust spell. Eddie's girlfriend, Lisa, will do everything Eddie asks. Only Eddie will be _Edie_, horny submissive little Edie, and she'll be asking her big, strong _Les_ to screw her brains out." "Is it permanent?" "Only if Les wants it to be. If he does, reality shifts, and they'll have always been Edie and Les. They'll remember who they were, though. Otherwise, the spells fade out after forty-eight hours." There was a rustling of the curtain, as Danni came out carrying a tray with a steaming pot of tea, three cups, spoons, sugar and lemon. Mindy noticed that she was as pretty as the authors had described, her hair tied in a long ponytail with a piece of blue cord. She wore a pink sleeveless blouse and a pair of jeans. The outfit revealed much of her lush figure without making her look at all cheap. Danni put the tray on the table. She turned and took hold of a plate of red and green sugar cookies that had floated along behind her and set them down next to the tea. She began to sit on thin air, but the Wizard created a chair beneath her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mindy. The Master has told me a good deal about you." "Ah, I love it when she calls me 'Master'," the Wizard said. "Don't look so surprised, Mindy. It's only fair for Danni to know about the people who are writing and archiving our stories." "I suppose so," Mindy said. "I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed by all this." Danni poured tea for the three of them. Mindy watched the pot carefully. It looked the same, but better safe than sorry. "Mindy, please don't be suspicious. I promise you on my word of honor that there are no spells on or in the tea -- or the cookies , or anything else. It's a matter of professional courtesy." "Professional courtesy?" Mindy said. "But I'm not a Wizard." "Mindy, not all magic is big and showy. The community and the friendships that you created with FictionMania were every bit as magical as anything that I've ever done in any of the stories about me." "But it went so wrong!" "Magic sometimes does. Half of the stories about me involve somebody not following the directions on what I give them. You gave the people who came to FictionMania fairly simple directions: 'Respect Each Other'. If they didn't follow them, it's not your fault. You tried. You tried very hard. Frankly, I think you had more patience than I would have." Mindy smiled. Then his head began to spin. "You tricked me after all!" she said. "There _was_ a spell." "No," the Wizard said with a smile. "You're just waking up. But you can come back any time you _really_ want." Mindy sat up and looked around the bedroom. "'It was just a dream'; sappy ending #7." Then as in so many of the stories, Mindy noticed a plate of red and green sugar cookies sitting there on the bed. The End -- But Only For Now, I Hope Copyright Ellie Dauber, 1999