“Congrats! You know, Johnny,” I say, acting like I’m about to put a friendly arm around his shoulder, “magical research has come a long way, even in the last five years.” I’ve never been intimidated by his curse, never try to avoid him in person, and that always puts him on edge. “I picked up a brochure from the Wanderlei Institute. They specialize in removing curses like yours and might be able to help.” I reach inside my windbreaker as if to pull it out and he backs away.
“f**k you, d**k. f**k you.” He shoulders his way past me and storms down the tunnel. The green lighting makes him look like a tall, fat, sexually-frustrated goblin.
“There’s no shame in seeking help!” I call after him.
His behavior’s strange, even for Johnny, I think to myself as I head back down to the main floor of
