The Old Man looked up from a dusty magical tome as two young women ran frantically up to the shop door. The bell chimed as they walked in, a brunette and a redhead, both in their early twenties and both looking exhausted.
"Oh my god," said the redhead to the Old Man, "We're so glad you're still open!"
"At your service, young lady," replied the old wizard, with a lecherous raise of his eyebrow.
"We're looking for something special for our friend's bachelorette party," said the brunette, as her freckled friend shrank back. "Tiffany, the bride-to-be, has no idea that the party's even going on. She's under the impression she'll be going out to lunch with our other friend. The other girls were in charge of the decorations and refreshments, leaving Molly and I in charge of the entertainment. We've been running from store to store in this strip-mall, looking for some kind of board game to play at the party." She gestured to Molly as she continued to catch her breath.
Molly, still shaken by the Old Man's expression, spoke softly and slowly scanned the store. "Well...it looks like we may be out of luck, Jen. I see a lot of old, dusty books..some gemstones. Is that a shrunken head?" Molly's eyes widened as the Old Man spoke.
"I sell forbidden objects from places men fear to tread." At this, both women slowly backed away, toward the door. "I also have novelty gifts for all occasions," said the old man, producing a board game from under the counter at which he sat. The women breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief and Jen, the brunette, read the title aloud; "A Game of Change". The Old Man waved his hand across the box and it now said "Bachelorette Edition" in puffy pink lettering just below the main title. "Perfect!," Jen exclaimed.
Staring in disbelief, Molly asked, "How much do we owe you?" The Old Man lifted the box with obvious effort, placed it into a plastic bag, and replied, "Not a thing, my dear. This is my gift to the blushing bride. May this game fill your lives with pleasure and wonder."
Jen quickly reached for the bag. "We'll be happy to have a few good laughs over some margaritas. I'll be sure to let Tiffany know that you wish her well." The girls turned and left, jogging across the parking lot and back to their car.
"Who ever said I wish her well," the Old Man said to himself, as he tuned his television to SRU-TV. The screen showed Molly and Jen entering their car. "Let the show begin..."