“Ah, another foreign visitor. The Sultan is hearing petitions from his subjects, both men and women; all who wish may enter and listen to his judgements.”
“This position pays well, but it does not use a tenth of my scholarly abilities! But so it always is.”
The clerk takes a quick look around and continues in a lowered voice.
“Your friend Jake asked me to thank you for registering the game. You will find your path smoothed in many ways.”
“Your friend Jake asked me to thank you for registering the game. Today’s Treasury password is ‘BALTIMORE.’”
“Your friend Jake asked me to remind you that if you have registered the World Builder version of this game, you need only e-mail for an updated registration code.”
“Your friend Jake asked me to point out that you may not be able to restore him to his natural form until you have paid the modest $10 registration fee.”
“Remember, if you acquired the Treasury password lawfully, you need only e-mail for an updated registration code.”
“Well, I too was once a poor student. Perhaps you will succeed without my assistance.”
“Please feel free to consult me if ever you have any texts that require explicating.”
“Yes, that is quite correct. I’m sure you will have no trouble with the Treasury official.”
“Ah yes, an inscription in the archaic language, the language of jinns and ifreets. Let me see now…
“A most traditional wording:
“‘Turn once to change,
“twice to change back.’”
“If you did not have such an honest face, I would be tempted to ask how you came by such a thing.”
“Fascinating! The new format for genie contracts! I’d not seen one before.
“…‘Camel Drivers’: you cannot ask the genie to relocate any living thing.
“…‘Tavern Keepers’: the genie cannot provide food, drink or repose.
“…‘Tax Collectors … Thieves’: these exclusions are quite similar in meaning, and indicate that the genie will not bring you any pre-existing object.
“The remaining clauses are quite clear.”
(Click on the contract to put it away.)
“Hmm, yes, this seems quite straightforward.”
“Oh no, that’s very kind of you, but my needs are very humble.”
“I believe the Sultan’s daughter knows something of these matters.”
“No, no! Not here!”
“What a number of wondrous things you carry about with you! But it would be most unwise to use them here, in such a public place.”
“Please! Restrain yourself, or I shall be forced to summon a guard!”
