Motorcycle enthusiast Benny Martinson had a sweet job at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He dusted and cleaned the exhibits, working at night when the museum was closed.
One night he noticed an ancient Arabian urn that needed polishing. He opened the case, whipped out his dust rag, and began polishing. He saw a faint plume of orange smoke rise from the top of the urn. The smoke became thicker and thicker until a genie appeared.
“I am the Genie of the Urn. I offer you a choice. I can grant you three wishes, but if you ever shave your beard or even cut it so long as you live, you must take my place inside the urn. Or, you can just tell me to get back into the urn and be on your way.
Benny thought about it—maybe not long enough—and agreed.
“First, I want the most expensive motorcycle in the world.”
The genie said, “That would be the Ecosse Moto Works Founder's Edition Titanium XX (FE Ti XX). It costs about $300,000.00. It’s yours.”
“Now I want the most beautiful woman in the world to ride that bike with me.”
“Many people think that Selena Marie Gomez, the singer and actress, is the most beautiful woman in the world. Do you agree?” The genie waved his arm and a life-size photo of Selena appeared.
Benny managed to gasp out, “Oh, yes. That would be fine.”
“Well, what’s your last wish.”
“I wish for enough money to enjoy riding with Selena for the rest of our lives.”
“Done,” said the genie and disappeared in a swirl of orange smoke.
Benny enjoyed life for many years, riding his Ecosse motorcycle with Selena Gomez. However, he found it more and more difficult because his beard became more difficult to handle with each passing day. And, because everywhere he went, motorcycle enthusiasts were ooh-ing and aah-ing over his ride and his lady, he thought he was pretty hot stuff.
“What can that old genie do to me now? I’m going to get rid of this beard. It’s in my way.” And he shaved off his beard.
In an instant, he was trapped in the urn, doomed to take the genie’s place.
Yet, there’s no denying it: Unless you plan to ride exclusively around the Southern United States, you’ll face some chilly winters. And even before it...
