I visited a flea market in Lebabon, IN. It was a typical low budget flea market much like ones found all over the country. There were booths selling everything from used clothing to knick knacks to memorabilia. I wandered around for a bit trying to take my mind off of the idiots I had encountered while trying to navigate my rig through traffic.
One booth was selling a variety of houshold goods. I paused and examined the various junk displayed on the long table. A small brass oil lap caught my eye. It was a piece of junk among a junkyard but there was something about it that appealed to me. Five bucks, no biggie.
When I got back to my truck I examined my purchase. It was tarnished brass, had a few dents in it, and would have looked at home in a dumpster. But I liked it. I broke out the rag I normally used to polish the wheels on my rig and tried to remove some of the tarnish from the small object.
Nope, no puff of smoke. No Genie. No magic at all. What the hell, I made a wish anyway. I wished for peace on earth.
I've been alone ever since.