This choice: Nel begins the search for the genie's lamp with Suzie and Miriam • Go Back...Chapter #5Nel begins the search for the genie's lamp ... by: Simpl   Saying that, Suzie leaned over the gently picked Nel up and placed her in a small shallow pocket on the front of her dress. Nel's head poked up above the edge of the pocket.
"This gives me a fine view of everything, yet I can duck down and be invisible if I need to," Nel commented.
"That was my plan," replied Suzie. "Now, let's be going." She and Miriam started off at a brisk walk. "Where exactly are we going?" she asked Miriam.
"To the old part of town where colorful chacters live. Crystal, the magician I know about, lives there but sometimes makes trips to practice her arts for groups of children at parties or other events. She has a special salon she uses when people visit her home. I was there once with my 'Interesting Arts through the Ages' class. She's an odd sort but appears to have real talent though I know much of what most magicians do is fake."
The girls strutted along. Nel watched things whiz by almost fast enough to make her dizzy. She listened intently to their chatter.
"That must have been an interesting field trip, Miriam. How did you happen to take that class?"
"I thought it would be interesting and it was. We saw and did lots of things I had not done before..."
Her comments were interrupted when a group of three older men were approaching them from the opposite direction.
"Nel, duck down," Suzie commanded and, instantly, Nel disappeared into the pocket.
"It's a pleasant day for a long walk," Miriam said to Suzie as the men came even with them on the pathway.
"Yes, it is," Suzie replied, "and we are moving right along. Our health coaches will be proud of us."
Then they were beyond the men who had, gratefully, paid them no heed. Both girls resisted the temptation to look back to see what the men were doing. They kept walking briskly and bantering 'nothings' back and forth until it was clear that no one was noticing.
"Okay, Nel, you can pop up again. We weren't sure what would happen if those men stopped us or tried to talk with us."
"How much further do we have to go?" Nel asked.
"Not much further now," Miriam stated, We just cross the stream on the little bridge and wander into the old part of town. I think I can find her place."
"Oh great," Suzie cried. "Now you tell us you 'think' you can find her place....this Crystal person. What if you can't?"
"Relax, Suzie. I can and will find it. Don't you worry about that. Let's just keep going."
They were soon into an area filled with large old homes close together, so close sometimes the sunlight was blocked completely. While such a spot could have felt oppressing, it had a 'lighter' quality about it.
"How can it be so dark here and still feel so light," Nel asked from her place in the pocket.
"I think there's some general special magic here," Miriam replied. "Let me see now, we turn here and go another block..."
They walked along quietly.
"Now we turn here and Crystal's place is on the next corner I believe."
"I hope you're right," Suzie said. "My feet are starting to hurt. I need to sit down."
"I'm excited. Will Crystal know about the genie's lamp?" Nel was practically jumping up and down in Suzie's pocket.
"I don't know, but if anyone in this city would know, she would be the one. We'll keep our fingers crossed."
"Yes, this is the place," Miriam continued, "I remember the bright red front door and the elegant gold door pull."
"Door pull?" Nel asked.
"It's a way to ring something inside the house. A bit like a door bell but more splendid." The three of them ascended the brick stairs to the front door of the three story building.
"Let me tug the pull," Suzie requested.
"Be my guest," Miriam said, stepping aside to allow Suzie access to the golden cord. After Suzie pulled it, the three heard a muffled sound from inside the house and then waited expectantly.
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