“A problem?” said Jim.
“I run a business, not a charity. I know of an item that I can sell to you that would restore you to normal, but I do require a payment of one dollar for it.”
“A dollar?” said Jim. His heart sank. “I don’t have any money. I’m a toddler now. This dress doesn’t have any pockets. Anyway, I gave you all of my money earlier for the balloon.”
The wizard frowned. “Well, then, I guess you are out of luck.” He stepped inside the trellis doors and shut them in front of Jim.
“Please,” Jim said, grabbing the bars. “I’ll do anything for you. I’ll pay you later whatever you want. Just, please, turn me back.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t accept IOU’s or credit. You see, I tend to move around a lot, and I likely won’t be able to collect later. It’s the nature of my business. I don’t want to stay rooted down in one place for too long. In fact, I’m moving as we speak.”
Jim started to cry. “No. You have to… I’m… I can’t…”
The wizard was about to step inside the shop when he looked down at Jim in pity. He sighed. “Listen, kid, I’ll offer you a piece of free advice: talk to your sister. You might have a shot of convincing her to help you out. And if you can’t convince her, well, cheer up. There are many worse fates than the one you’ve been dealt. Believe me. I know. Good luck.” The wizard shut the shop door, and then flipped the sign on it to “Closed.”
“Jamie!” called a voice from behind Jim. He turned and saw his sister approaching with a security guard at her side. “There you are.”
“Judy,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes. “I- I’m sorry.”
“Quiet,” she said. “And, you call me ‘Mommy.’ Do you hear me, young lady?” She really had nailed the motherly voice.
Jim sighed, he was trapped. “Yes, Mommy.”
“Are you going to be alright now, ma’am?” said the security guard. He looked as though he wanted to leave to check out the mayhem in the middle of the mall.
“We’re fine now,” she said. “Thank you for your help.” The guard trotted off as she picked up Jim and looked behind him. “What were you doing here anyway?” she asked him.
“I wanted to talk to the guy who sold me the balloon. I thought he could help me, but he didn’t. He just closed up you see.” Jim said as he turned to point at the store, but when he looked behind him all he saw was a boarded up storefront with a “Coming Soon” sign on it for a new store. The shop had vanished.
“No, I don’t see,” said Judy. She put him down in the stroller, and pushed him toward the exit. “Enough of this place. I’m bored with it.”
Yeah, thought Jim, “Bored.” Too bad for everyone that you changed here that you didn't get bored sooner. “Where are we going?” he asked.
“You’ll see,” she said as they headed outside.