Damien wandered the shopping mall as he waited for the connecting bus that would take him home. He was very annoyed that the bus company had changed its schedule. Damien's travel time to get from work to home had nearly doubled thanks to now having a 25 minute wait. Maybe it was a message from on high that it was time that he bought himself a car so he could commute? He reflected on this as he looked at the magazines in the newsagency.
Or maybe he should move out of his parents house and closer to the city. He was 32, Most of the acquaintances he had made at school had moved out of home years ago. As far as he knew most were married and had their own families. That was according to Damien's mother. Damien couldn't really call any of his classmates friends. He was a loner, "Loser" had been his nickname. Even the teachers had called him that.
It was still 10 minutes till the bus would be there. Damien wandered further down the mall and noticed a shop he had never noticed before. "SRU" it said in big letters. Underneath was written "Spells R Us" Damien wandered to the door and looked inside.
Suddenly there was a loud noise and streamers flying through air. Damien found himself under a shower of glitter. A buxom young woman took his hand and led him into the store and up to the counter.
'Here is our thousand's customer sir' he heard the young woman say to an old fellow with a long grey beard wearing a scruffy dressing gown.
'Thank-you Brad, I'll take it from here. You get back to doing the stock take. Try to remember to check the use by dates. I'm tired of fixing things after your carelessness'
'Yes sir' The beauty went to the back of the store and the old man turned his attention to Damien.
'Damien Barrett. Welcome to SRU, as our thousandth customer you are in for a special treat'
'How do you know my name?'
'I'm a wizard. Now I see your life is not exactly enviable. I think I know just the prize for you'
'A prize!' Damien had never won anything in his life. He really was a user.
'Compliments of the franchise. Here it is. Let me explain'