Gwen paced along the patio tiles, her gaze flicking between the sleeping figure of Willy and her friend Joan. A faint breeze rattled the leaves, carrying the scent of cut grass and disappointment. "Huh! It's my 40th birthday today, but nothing from my husband Willy. I'll bet he forgot again. Just once I'd wish he'd get me a gift or something special. But there he is, asleep on the patio chair as usual." "Oh, maybe Willy has a big surprise for you this year, to make up for past years. And hey, what's that over there? Looks like a festive box with blue and white markings. Do you suppose?"

Gwen's eyes widened as she noticed the box, its surface shimmering faintly as if dusted with starlight. She reached out, the cardboard cool and unexpectedly heavy in her hands. "Yes, it is a box, sitting right on that flower box. Didn't see it there earlier. Let's me look inside. Hey, look at this. Looks like a miniature flashlight. But this label. It reads: 'Time/Space Molecular Zapper. Point it at anything and change it to what you desire. Product of Io.' Where's that?" "Maybe some island somewhere. Couldn't be from that moon of Jupiter. Let's see you try it out. What to change? Oh, look at those weeds in the flowerbeds."

Gwen gripped the Zapper, pointing it at the tangled mess of weeds. The device hummed softly, the light at its tip pulsing with anticipation. "I hate weeds. I wish I had roses instead." The weeds rippled, their green twisting and folding until, in a burst of scarlet and cream, the beds bloomed with perfect roses. Joan's gasp was swallowed by the sudden perfume that flooded the air. "Oh my gosh! As soon as you said that, the weeds morphed into roses. This is weird and wonderful. What else needs changing? Like, over there in the patio chair?"

Willy[/@ch_2] slumbers, oblivious, his features softened by sleep. The women, emboldened by magic, turn their attention to him, laughter bubbling between them.] "You mean Willy? He used to be cuter and handsomer when he was younger. I wish he were younger. And, oh my gosh. He is getting younger. Still younger. More younger and, oops, overshot! Stop! Stop!" "Oh wow! Willy looks like a teenager. A sleeping teenager. Say, as long as he doesn't notice, did you ever wonder what he looked like as a kid? You said he had no childhood photos because of the flood damaging his boyhood home." "Yeah, why not! I wish Willy were younger still. 15, 13, 11, 9, 8, 7. Hey, this is taking on a life of its own. Stop! Stop!!" "(Giggle) Look at Willy. He can't be older than 2. And he's sitting in a clump of grown-up clothes. Aw, poor baby!"

Willy[/@ch_2] now a sleepy toddler, fidgets in his oversized clothes. The Zapper’s power is intoxicating, but its limits begin to show.] "I can fix that. Shirt, pants, socks, sneakers, go! Heh, they did! Gee, I might as well go all the way! Undershorts, morph into a diaper. Wow! That was quick!" "Aw, Willy fell asleep with a cigar in his mouth. But he's too young to smoke now." "Cigar, morph into a pacifier! Wow! It did. This is great fun. Now to get a photo." "Great, Gwen. You can kid him with that for years. (Giggle) But maybe you ought to restore him before he wakes up." "Right! Restore Willy to normal. Er, nothing happened. Turn Willy back as he was! Still nothing. What's wrong with the Zapper? Wait, a small light is flashing. A message: 'Operational time depleted. Please deposit another 10,000 zolotis.'"

Willy[/@ch_2] stirs, the Zapper inert, hope fading.] "What's a zoloti? I never heard of it, yet where to get it. You think Willy is stuck as a, well, you know. Ack! He's starting to wake up." "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" "Gwen, do you suppose Willy needs a charge, or is it time for his 4:00 feeding?"