LUCK OF FEZ

(This story is set in GAIA2 earth’s twin 800 years younger and evolving.)

Fez was a young man and a native of Rubi Isle. He was tall, fair and handsome but was still a bachelor. His father was a businessman and the family was moneyed. Fez was fond of adventure and one day took on himself to drill through the ground to see what lay beyond. He spoke to the Chief Minister about what he called project deep hole. The CM discussed it with the king in the presence of Fez.

CM said “Your majesty, Fez wants to dig a deep hole to see what lies under us.”

The king said “Suppose he digs deep he could fall into the emptiness underneath. I don’t think it is a good move.”

Fez said “You Majesty I could find iron or even gold.”

The king said “Fez, if you dig deep you could be lost or perhaps fall under.”

Fez said “Suppose I find gold I will leave it to Your Majesty to exploit it.  I’ll make no claim.”

The king said “Suppose you drop down and reach another world, you can’t come back.”

CM said “You could even release ghosts which lie buried.”

Fez said “Your Majesty I want to see people who live on the other side.”

The king said “There’ll be no people on the other side as they would’ve to walk upside down which is impossible.”

Fez said “I agree Your Majesty but I didn’t mean people living below Rubi Isle. Making the hole would enable me to see people in the world below. We know nothing about them.”

The king said “CM has told me about the dangers of making such a deep hole. Anyway I don’t want to prevent you. I have cautioned you.”

Fez said “Your Majesty, I would’ve to hire labour and get bullocks to draw the earth from deep down. The expenditure may be beyond my personal resources. I seek a grant from Your Majesty.”

The king said “Come to me when you’ve exhausted your funds. I’ve one last question. After you have drilled through, you could fall out of Rubi Isle. Have you taken this into account?”

Fez said “The risks are acceptable. I’ll make arrangements to have anchors.”

Fez got a gang of labourers together and dug a hole of a wide diameter to a certain depth. Then  they dug a hole within it of a smaller diameter. Now they had to pull up earth using pulleys and ropes harnessed to bullocks. At this stage Fez wanted to go down further when the labourers abruptly said “It would be dangerous to go deeper. We’re quitting.”

Fez who refused to come up was left underground. He knew he would  need help to climb out. Actually the CM had arranged for an emergency work force to pull up Fez.

Fez sat on a stone feeling very sad that his deep hole project had been aborted. As he kicked some loose soil his foot struck something which he thought was a stone but pulling it out he saw it was some article probably out of copper. He liked its workmanship and cleaning it saw it was a lamp. Suddenly a jinn appeared before him and said “I’m master of earth and wave, but slave of the lamp. What will you have master?”

Fez was struck dumb at the sudden appearance of a jinn. It was surely an enchanted lamp! He thought a little and said “Take me to the bottom of the earth to see the world  beneath.”

The jinn said “Master I’m sorry I can’t do that as I’ve become very old. Young jinn have dumped this lamp, probably brought from somewhere, as I’m effete. My time is up and I can only comply with limited desires.”

“First lift me up and take me to the top of this hole.”

In a moment Fez was above the pit. Seeing this happen, CM who was watching was astonished and he quietly withdrew and disbanded the emergency crew.

Fez said to the jinn “Please do me one more favour. I love Zima and she loves me also. Bring her after dark to my summer mansion as she sleeps.”

The jinn said “I hear and obey” and vanished.

Fez wanted to marry Zima who was a beautiful young girl and she in fact loved him also but there was a problem: Zima’s father had taken a large loan from the aged money lender Vercoup and had squandered it.  Vercoup was willing to write off the loan if Zima would marry him. Zima’s father had no alternative except to consent to Vercoup’s proposal.  Meanwhile. Fez had decided that since the jinn’s services were available he could get her to have a good time.

That evening Fez made many preparations like keeping doors and windows open. He kept fruits and sherbets ready and retired early. The jinn duly arrived carrying the sleeping Zima and placed her on Fez’s bed and disappeared. Having his love so close Fez lost control and kissed her awake. Opening her eyes in the dark she was surprised to feel a man in her bed.

Fez said “Don’t be frightened. It’s only me Fez.”

She asked “How did I come to be here?”

“It’s a long story and I’ll be wasting my time relating it to you. First things first!”  He handled all of her as appropriate, and as per his fancies. When he had finished she was in an ecstatic state. They now shared fruit and sherbets and took a little rest.

He said “Vercoup will be paid his due.”

“Are you going to pay my father’s dues?”

“I’ll try to get it settled another way. Sleep so that I can send you away to your bed.”

She laughed and said “Is it going to be so fast?  I had thanked my stars twice for going to bed with you. I have one in credit.”

He took the cue and wasted no time. Zima thereupon went into a peaceful sleep. Fez now rubbed the lamp when the jinn appeared. He said “Jinn please get her back to her bed.”

The jinn flew away carrying Zima and put her into her bed.

In the morning Fez called Jinn again. He stated an amount and said “Get that money from Vercoup the money lender.”

Vercoup who was seated counting his cash was conscious of a presence near him. Even as he watched money was counted and taken invisibly. Vercoup could do nothing about it. The money had flown!

The jinn delivered the money to Fez and said “I’m due to go. I won’t be at your call any more. Adieu!”

The jinn vanished. Zima’s father gave the money to Vercoup and the loan was settled.

Fez now sought the approval of Zima’s father to marry Zima.

“I’ve no objection. Seek Zima’s consent.”

Zima was summoned and asked. She said “I’m agreeable provided Fez doesn’t embark on dangerous ventures like trying to reach the bottom of the earth to see other worlds.”

Fez solemnly promised and Zima’s father blessed the two.

END

NOTE: I have borrowed the concept of jinn and magic lamp from the BOOK OF A THOUSAND NIGHTS AND A NIGHT by JC Mardrus.

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