“This thing’ll work for one day, and one day alone,” the old man reminded Pete,
“Yeah, got it,” Pete replied, slapping a ten dollar bill onto the counter. He snatched the small rock from the old man’s hand. He scowled at the young man,
“May I remind you, everything you change with that rock will stay that way permanently. Unless you reverse the changes before the 24 hour point,”
“No way it’s exactly 24 hours,” Pete said, deciding to argue with the shopkeeper,
“24 hours,” the shopkeeper said, making himself very clear, “no sooner. No later,”
“Great,” Pete said, “anything else I should know?” He asked blatantly,
“Yes. Only those you tell about the power will notice the changes being made,” the shopkeeper stated, “once you tell them, they will not forget. However, only you can tell them, if someone who already knows decides to tell someone, they will not believe them. They will believe that they have always been the way you chose to change them.” The shopkeeper looked at Pete, who was idly fiddling with the rock, obviously not paying that much attention, “are you listening?” He asked Pete,
“Huh?” Pete said, looking back up, “yeah, sure. Something about don’t tell anyone or they’ll know, I remember,” he said, brushing away the points the shopkeeper had made.
“You know…” the shopkeeper started. Then he decided to do something he didn’t do often, “have this,” he said, taking another rock out of his collection, “this one is special,” he started,
“Go on,” Pete said, partially intrigued,
“Only bite onto this one once the other rock’s power has worn out,” he instructed Pete.
“O-okay,” Pete said, grabbing his wallet,
“No no, this one is free of charge. A gift from me to you,” he assured.
“Well… I appreciate it, old guy,” Pete said, holding his hand out to shake, “thanks,”
“Don’t mention it,” the man said, a shimmer of red in his eyes.
———
Now Pete had the perfect plan for a perfect rock.