Eric stared into the bin and saw a package that practically was calling his name. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he picked it up anyway. He quickly realized the package had a selection of multiple kinds of glasses inside. The front label read,
“THEME GLASSES: X-Ray Glasses are things of the past with this selection! Ever want to see what your male friends would look like wearing women’s clothing? Or how about what your dad would look like as kid? Or maybe even what you’d look like as a bodybuilder? Well, wonder no further with these babies. Just pop one of these on and get to see the world around you differently!”
“Ah, so you’re interested in the Theme Glasses?” the old shopkeeper asked, looking up from the counter. “An interesting choice for curious minds I would say.”
“Why are they in this bin labeled ‘Faulty Items’?” Eric asked the old man.
“Because they have the unintended effect of making the world like what you see in the glasses,” the old man said. “It wears off after a little bit of time, but the time it does take to wear off is dangerously random.” The old man narrowed his eyes at Eric. “You want it?” Eric considered the strange old man for a moment. He didn’t quite understand what the man was saying. Maybe the visual effects of the glasses wear off after a little bit while wearing them. That was the most logical explanation. Eric shrugged and figured that he might as well buy them. If nothing else, they would be fun for him and his friends to mess around with later.
Fast forward to the following Saturday, and 27-year-old Eric sat around his apartment with his two roommates, Joel and Noah. The three of them were watching some football on TV, but more or less were just hanging out. Eric really didn’t care for football, but his roommates both liked it so he put up with it for the time being. His mind had drifted to a few days ago when he was in that strange shop in the strip mall in the middle of town. Remembering the glasses, he quietly excused himself to his bedroom where the unopened package sat. He opened the package and looked at each of the glasses. There were several types of glasses. Each one had a short little label next to them stating what they were. There were no additional descriptions or clarifications about what he would see if he looked through the glasses. Figuring that there was no harm in trying them out, he picked one at random and left the bedroom. He stood in the hallway off to the side from where his roommates were seated on the couch. He glanced at the glasses briefly and curiosity brought the glasses to his face.