In one aisle containing nothing but realistic, freakish looking masks, the trio found the old man sweeping the floor. He paused as they stopped in front of him and regarded them with gray eyes behind his small spectacles.
"Yes?" he smiled.
"Um, hi," Lina said. "You might remember us...well, I'd like to turn myself into a half-human, half-monkey. Is there a way I can do that without a lot of pain or trouble?"
The old man stroked his beard for a minute, keeping his eyes locked on Lina. "Yes..." he said slowly. "A few different items can do that. Let's find one that's right for you." He led the teens through a few aisles before stopping in front of a row of necklaces. These necklaces weren't the fashionable kind, however. Most of them looked ancient, made out of stone, wood or bone. Amy squinted skeptically at them.
The manager picked up a necklace made of a circular stone emblem strung on a loop of woven hemp. "This talisman was cursed by an ancient sorcerer. Supposedly, it channels the Monkey Spirit into the body of whomever wears it."
Lina looked at Amy, then back at the necklace. "Is it reversible?"
"No."
"What else do you have?"
The old man gave her a cunning smile. "Very well. You have the right attitude. I will show you the real way now." He put the pendant back and walked into another aisle. There, he lifted a stone goblet from a row of various drinking cups. He dunked it into a basin of what looked like water and handed it to Lina.
"Drink from this. Only a few sips. Drink the entire thing to become a full monkey. When you want to become a human, come back and drink from this goblet." He pointed out a gold, ruby-encrusted goblet on the top shelf. "Ten dollars per drink. In your case, I'll make it five." He smiled and extended an open palm.
Lina put a five dollar bill in his hand. The old man bowed and walked away. She held the goblet in her hands, peering into the clear liquid. "Okay, here we go..."