[ wp ] You stumble upon a genie in a bottle , instead of granting three wishes he gives you three choices . End world hunger , stop all current and future wars or find out what 's in the box .

`` Hey.'' The voice seemed to drift up over my shoulder and into my ear like a wisp of insistently annoying smoke. 
 
 He was following me. 
 
 `` UGH. I *told* you, I do n't *care* what's in the box!'' I spat the line out so loud that heads popped up over office cubicle walls as their owners tried to discern the source of the commotion. 
 
 The Djinn's face changed into one of childish belligerence. `` Come on! Just ask me what's in the box!'' 
 
 My teeth ground so loudly I'm sure they could be felt a county over. I at least attempted to make my voice a quiet hiss. `` If you were only ever going to give me the option of the box, why did you even bother with the other two?!'' 
 
 ``'Cause I did n't think you'd be so boring...'' The Djinn said, pouting aggressively. 
 
 `` Then go pick someone else.'' I spun back around to my computer to try and resume my work. 
 
 `` I caaaaaaa n't!'' The youthful Djinn whined. `` That's not how it works!'' 
 
 My hands caught my falling head instead of balling up into fists that I desperately wanted to use. Instead, I stood up, took a step out to close my office door, and spun on the Djinn. He was diminutive, perhaps less than a meter tall, pudgy, and instead of standing opted to float casually on crossed legs a few feet over the floor in obstinate youthful defiance of the laws of gravity. I still managed to bring the full weight of my petite five-foot-six frame to bear on him and delivered the most withering scowl my features would allow. 
 
 `` You can grant wishes, ca n't you? Then grant my wish and *leave me alone*.'' 
 
 `` I ca n't,'' He said again, turning sullen. `` I... I ca n't grant wishes yet.'' 
 
 This surprised me, even if he was lying. I stood straight and crossed my arms, waiting for an explanation. 
 
 `` I'm not old enough yet!'' He cried, injustice masking the disappointment in his eyes. `` They wo n't let me grant any wishes!'' 
 
 My scowl did n't fade, but it became a lot harder to hold when I felt my irritation crumbling under the weight of pity. I held the facade for a few more moments, then sighed, and massaged the bridge of my nose. `` Who is'they'? Do you have some... Mystic council of genies or something that you report to? And what does this have to do with me?'' 
 
 `` Why ca n't *you* just ask me what's in the box?'' 
 
 That was it. Pity gone. At this point, he probably had a point, but my pent-up frustration at being stalked by a supernatural being asking me about the contents of a small box called that I refuse on principle. `` Would that make you go away?'' 
 
 `` Yes!'' 
 
 `` Alright, fine. What's in the box?'' 
 
 His face lit up. He reached behind himself, then paused. He seemed to feel around for something, and turned his head to look down his back. His smile disappeared. `` Oh... Oh, no...'' 
 
 `` Oh, no,'' I said, realizing what had happened. 
 
 `` It was right here!'' He said, furiously patting his small form everywhere. `` I just had it! Just now!'' 
 
 I took a deep breath and sat back down in my office chair. This is going to be a long Tuesday.
