Mean Magic. The Ink Well Prompt #62

Mean Magic

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this week’s prompt is : Footprint

Writing skill : Show don’t tell.

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Elai watched the green gel-like liquid rise in the bulbous glass with growing excitement. It drifted to merge, yellow, as it spread through the complex, interconnected system he’d built. Glass tubes, mixing chambers, fine filters all carefully designed to create the perfect perfume.

“So you’re at it again, I see.” Shira snarked at him, but his attention was absolute, he didn’t even turn his head to acknowledge her.

“You do know that you’re wasting your time don’t you? You need more than that glass contraption that you have there, you need a miracle. Elai, can you hear me?” She raised a neatly plucked eyebrow at him, her crisp frustration finally captured his attention.

“You do understand that I’m close, the breakthrough only a fraction of a scent away. God’s nectar is about to be born. Now, wipe that skepticism off your pretty face and do something useful, like making coffee. What do you say?”

“I’m here as a prime tester. I’m not your coffee machine and, besides, how am I going to see if your latest batch of nonsense works if my sense of smell is corrupted by wafts of Arabian brew?”

Elai turned back to his work bench.

“Ignoring me with that sour expression on your face will get you nowhere. I’m your secret asset, my nose is your gold and you know it. You need me, old man. Without me you’d be ruined. What if the word got out, what if, hey?”

“That tone doesn’t suit you, my dear. It skews up your brow.” He took a moment to consider her threat. Yes, he mused it would be devastating if his clients discovered his affliction. But what could he do? Nothing at all.

“Oh, don’t be silly, Elai. I’ve seen the way you look at me. You think I’m cute, now don’t you? God has provided me with attractions that don’t leave much room for improvement.”
“Jeez, well, a dash of humility might be one rather valuable improvement. I think that he overlooked your lapse between synapses, too. Haha.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not lapsing anywhere, my butt is as tight as the day I was thirteen.”

“Do you think you could be quiet for a moment while I finish this batch. We’ll need to test in a minute or two.” He sighed, exasperated.

“Yeah, but it’s never going to happen. You’re a dull little man and you’re rude. Nobody laughs at me and gets away with it.” With that she flounced out of the chamber. Elai watched her go, relief flooded. The moment of respite gave him all he needed.

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“So, what is the verdict?” Elai was tentatively confident, he shot a look at Shira and his success was evident.

“God, you’ve got dollar signs in your eyes. I take it that the perfume works then?” He watched her for confirmation.

“Yes. I don’t know how you’ve managed it, but the scent is unique to each woman. Exactly the way you described. The thing is that I tested it on a hundred women and, well, not a single bad odor. Some radiated rose, others jasmine...sweet pea and lavender...each scent perfect for the girl. But, Elai, I have to say that you’re not being fair, I want you to sign an agreement. You must give me three quarters of the profit, else, I’m going to tell the world about your little secret. Elai?”

“Are you mad woman? This is not about money. This is about magic, it’s about achieving the undoable. This is about making history, you’re such a vacuous brat. I ought to fire you immediately.” He saw heat rise in her face. She stepped up and smacked him hard about the head.

“Just try it, try me and you’ll find out what your mean words will bring. You stupid old man. Give me my share and I’ll be quiet.” She spat the words at him, her mouth an ugly grimace of greed across her face.

Elai raised his hand and rubbed his temple, for such a slight woman she sure packed a mean punch.

But then a miracle, truly, did occur.

“Thank you Shira, how am I ever going to repay you? Haha. I sense that you’ve used my perfume, too. There’s a fragrance of mint in the air. I do believe that my sense of smell has returned, thanks to the crack you’ve just delivered to my poor head. I don’t think that blackmail will be your new profession, after all. Your footprint to riches stops right here.”