Lucas was bored. Being a 14 year old in the middle of summer was supposed to be the highlight of his childhood! He was too young to get a workers permit so he couldn't be forced to take a summer job. Something his parents assured him he will be doing next year, and he's finally old enough to be able to spend hours away from home milling about and trusted to not get himself into trouble.
He has spent nearly every day at the nearby mall since school got out at the end of May. Several of his friends are in summer school, two are trying to get extra college credits, one needs help with algebra, one friend is away at camp, another is on vacation with their family and Lucas spent the last of his money a week ago when he thought 81 degrees justified getting ice cream, today its 94. Lucas had combed through each store several times over, excluding the Claire's and Victoria's Secret. He had been asked to stay out of the Game Stop until he had more money to buy something, and was tired of everything else.
"Some summer this was turning out to be." he sighed ruefully. He turned the corner heading to the J.C. Penny's for the 400th time and noticed a new store. Without hesitation he entered, hoping it could entertain him for the next 3 hours.
The shop keeper politely greeted him, "Hello young man, what are you looking for today."
"I'm just looking to pass the time, thanks." Lucas replied.
The man smiled and bent down returning a moment later with a tray full of various timepieces. "Alright. About how much time are you looking to pass? Was this for you specifically or the world? Oh, if it is to effect you, were you needing a higher end model to revert back later?"
Lucas stared very confused. Letting go of trying to answer the weird questions, he simply responded to the man trying to sell him a watch. "I.. uh... don't have any money, I just.... um... noticed the new store and wanted to take a look around."
The shop keep looked equally confused and put away the timepieces. "Perhaps I could guide you to an area of interest, what is it you love to do?"
Lucas was caught off guard, "Um video games are fun, I like movies, some t.v. shows are okay, I guess."
"Yes, yes, pass-times are good for relaxing, but what do you love to do for activity? As in the phrase 'Love your work and you will never have to work a day in your life.' are you familiar?" the shopkeeper asked eagerly.
"Um, nothing... I'm 14 and can't get a job yet." Lucas said. Normally he would have wanted to be left alone but this was his third day not talking to anyone more deeply than generic greetings.
"Ah-ha. As I suspected..." the keeper shuffled back to the counter and eyed Lucas carefully. "Would you agree that it is better to have a shorter life full of passion and drive, than a long life without anything to give it meaning?"
"Um, I guess? They write poems and songs about how great it is, right?" Lucas mumbled.
"Excellent!" The man pulled a box from under the counter, "Your price point is difficult to meet but the store policy is that everyone who enters leaves with something, I'm so pleased that we have just what you need!"
He unlatched the box and after maneuvering the pieces within, turned the apparatus around to face Lucas. it was a good sized wheel similar to the wheel of fortune but only one slot was visible, the rest were covered. There was no writing on the visible tab.
"So you just need to spin the Wheel of Purpose and your purpose in life will be set!" the shopkeeper beamed. "Go on, Give it a spin."
"There's nothing written on it. the tab is blank." Lucas commented walking closer, intrigued by the device.
"On the contrary." He grabbed the tile off the wheel and it unfolded to make a decently sized surface, "If you had spun this your passion would be, 'To find and experience all the carnal pleasures this life has to offer.' Huh... well your turn." He folded the piece back up and replaced it.
Lucas, had time to kill and this was doing it.. he spun and when it finally stopped, the piece unfolded to say _______________. Its meaning wasn't very clear but the shopkeeper seemed very pleased. "Excellent, Excellent, I hope you find it to your liking! Full effects will present themselves within three days, come back after that if you aren't fully satisfied. I apologize but I must close up while I go get some lunch. Thank you again!"
Lucas was unceremoniously ushered out without explanation...
What did it mean that your purpose is ...