Author note: This is one of my older stories. While this story is not complete I feel it could be of interest to readers. But I should warn that not every chapter contains GTS.
Stanley Charm memoirsIntroduction
Welcome dear readers. My name is Stanley Charm, manager of the Wishbone restaurant. I
originally didn't plan on writing my life story. After all I am immortal. But as time goes on, I
have gained foes. Many of my foes became foes because of the result of careless wishes. Other
people just don't understand me or my role in the multi universe. Or are curious about my
background.
I would like to thank Kayla for encouraging me, to write down my life story. She may be only
eight inches tall, but she offers a lot of encouragement. I hope she finds someone willing to
Publish her life story.
Chapter one: GenesisI was born in the year of the Lord, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, on a farm in Hampden
County, Massachusetts. I am the second son of Nicholls and Melissa Charm. They had six kids, of
which four including myself survived into adulthood. The other surviving siblings were my older
brother Matthew, and my two sisters, Lauren and Megan.
During my first thirty years, I was to use the turn of the millennium term a "zero." Despite being
raised up on a farm. I felt being a farmer was not for me. But I didn't know what I wanted to do
with my life. Being a farm boy, my education was rather limited. I could read and write and do
some simple math, but that was about it.
In 1850, I decided to start my own family. I married a childhood sweetheart by the name of
Brittany Bear. I still remember her dark raven hair, brown eyes, charming smile. We spent seven
wonderful years together. She was my wife and partner. When she died in child birth in the fall
of 1857, my life fell apart. To add an insult to injury, the baby was stillborn. By Christmas I
ended up moving back to my parents place; which was occupied by my parents and Matthew.
My sisters by this time had grown up and had families of their own. While my mother was glad
to have me around, my dad, had other ideas. By the time October of 1858 rolled around. He
began to see me as a parasite.
Now don't get me wrong. I loved my dad. But he could get on one's nerves at times. Especially
when he lectured. He used to say things like,
"You got to stop dreaming and do something with your life son. Your brother Matthew will run
the farm when I'm gone. You have to go elsewhere to find your niche."He was right about me
going elsewhere to find my niche. But he never foresaw where I would go.
It was October 9th 1858, my 30th birthday. To celebrate I decided to head to the town of
Springfield and my favourite bar. It was called "The Drunk Skunk" For years when I visited a
new world, I check to see if it existed. But I'm getting way ahead of myself.
That night, the usual crowd seemed to be there. There was drunk Al, going on about how us
Yankees should show the south who's the boss. At the bar was Nick the bartender. The rest of
the crowd consisted of Springfield locals. Then he came through the door.
He was tall (about 6'2'') with tanned skin, black hair, blue eyes. But what really caught
everyone attention was his purple suit. It looked like nothing we had ever seen. If plastic had
existed on my home world at that time, I would say his suit was made of it. Anyway he went to
the bar and ordered a drink. Nick stared at him like he was from another planet. As it turned out
he was from a parallel world. But I didn't know that at the time.
Being curious, I decided to introduce myself.
"You're not from around here are you?" He looked down at me, (I'm about 5'8'') then he said:
"I’m just passing through. And who might you be?"
"My name is Stanley Charm."
"Nice to meet you Stanley. I'm Zachary Dunaway, manager of Wishbone."
"Wishbone? I never heard of it?"
"It's an old restaurant that moves from place to place. It's just north of Springfield. Feel free to
drop by."
"A restaurant that moves from place to place. Is it a flying restaurant?"
The entire bar laughed at my joke. Zachary just smiled.
"You know. You might be the person I'm looking for."
At the time I ignored his comment. Although in hindsight, it was a good indication of his
intentions.
The next day was Sunday, the Lord's day. Despite my parent's objections, I decided to visit the
Wishbone Restaurant.
After some searching, I managed to find it. It was about three miles north of Springfield. Further
north than I expected. The restaurant itself was shaped like a box. Judging from the windows, it
seamed to be two stories high. On the roof was a sign saying:
Wishbone Restaurant
Above the letters was a giant wishbone cemented into place. I should make clear, this was not
the wishbone you see on top of the restaurant today. That's just a neon sign. This was a real
wishbone. They're times I still miss it. But the story of what happened to it will have to wait.
I went into the restaurant. Inside the place was lit by gas lights. There was a dinning area to my
left. To my right were stairs, and some doors that lead to unknown rooms. In front of me, was a
sign saying:
Make a Wish
It will come true
"Ah Stanley. Glad you could make it."
Zachary had managed to sneak up on me.
"A cute sign, you got there Mr. Dunaway."
"We’re serious Mr. Charm. Whoever orders the wishbone meal deal gets one wish."
"Only one wish? Why not offer more?"
"If people could get as many wishes as they wanted, chaos would result. Trust me on this."
I thought he was a nut. But I was too polite to say so. Besides I had travelled too far to go home
hungry.
A blond woman named Ann Zone handed me a menu. After looking over the menu I decided to
order the wishbone meal deal. For those who are wondering a wishbone meal deal consists of a
small chicken(containing the wishbone) fries, peas, carrots and a drink to wash it down.
While I was eating, Zachary came up to me and asked how the food was.
"It's fine. But I'm having trouble deciding what to wish for."
"It's best to be careful. You know I've been thinking of retiring. Perhaps you could be my
replacement."
I was stunned.
"I need to think about it." I muttered.
"Don't take too long. This restaurant will be leaving in a few days."
Later that night, I headed for a grassy hill side to think things over. It was a clear night, the sky
was filled with stars. I considered my options. I though about wishing for my wife to come back
to life, but that would be playing God. I was and still am a Christian. I also considered wishing
for a million dollars which really went a long way in those days. But what I really wanted was
adventure, the idea of a roaming restaurant caught hold of my imagination.
A shooting star crossed the sky. I had a sense that God himself was watching me that night. That
I was about to meet my destiny. I stood up and cried:
"I wish to become the manager of Wishbone."
Then I headed home, with dreams of a wonderful future going through my head.
"You're going to do what?" My father cried when I told him my plans.
"Are you sure you know what your doing?" asked my mother.
"Does this mean you won't be underfoot?" Matthew asked.
"Zachary Dunaway hinted he wanted to retire. I want to try the restaurant business."
"If you fail, don't come crawling back to us. We may have bailed you out in the past, but I won't
in the future."
"I won't fail, father." I replied.
I then packed my things and said good bye to my family. Not knowing if I would ever see them
again. It would be many years before I had a chance to visit my home world. Oops getting ahead
of myself again.
When I arrived at the restaurant, Zachary was waiting at the door. Instead of his purple suit he
had on a white shirt and purple shorts.
"Welcome aboard Stanley. I've been expecting you. Please come into my office. We'll talk in
there."
"How did you know I was coming?" I asked once inside his office.
"Mr. G told me. "
"Who in the world is Mr. G?"
"It's a bit complicated. He will be your immediate boss. Once you are sworn in as a Watan, I'll
explain everything."
"What's a Watan? Some kind of business title?"
Zachary burst out laughing.
"Watans are a race of immortal beings. We are kind of like the guardians of the multi universe.
We help guide the hand of fate."
I started to get an uncomfortable feeling. What in the world did I stumble into?
As if he was reading my thoughts he said:
"It's too late to back out. Once you make a wish at Wishbone you can't take it back. And since
no mortal, can manage Wishbone."
I had heard enough. I got up and walked out the door and ended up in another dimension.
It was like nowhere I ever been. There was a huge light overhead. It didn't hurt my eyes to look
at it, yet it didn't have a form. There was also a man standing there. He was about 5'6'' in height,
white skin but with a tan. His hair was black with some grey in it, yet he looked like he was in
his twenties. He had a moustache but no beard and wore glasses that looked unusual to me. (I
later found out, it was typical late 20th century glasses) The rest of his attire was also from the
late 20th century.
"Welcome Stanley Charm. I am Mr. G. I'm here to welcome you to your new life. "
"You act like you know me."
"From my perspective I have known you for over a year. I am from another world and time."
"Confusing isn't he."
I turned around, Zachary was standing right behind me. Mr. G looked annoyed with Zachary.
"Let's get down to business. Zachary your wish to retire has not been granted. Stanley will take
over Wishbone for you once you show him the ropes. Then you be assigned to others parts of the
multi universe. Stanley we normally only recruit every trillion years or so. But we made an
exception for Mr. Dunaway, so we will make an exception for you."
"What's that about a trillion years?" I asked.
"That's how often new Watan's are normally recruited." Mr. G replied.
“It's time, Stanley Charm. As of October 11th, 1858 A.D we now declare you a Watan."
A wave of energy struck me. Transforming me into what I am today.
"It is done. You have kissed your Mortality goodbye. You won't see me again, but you will hear
my voice from time and time."
Mr. G then faded from sight. True to his word I never saw him again. But I do hear him a lot.
I looked around me. I was alone except for the light and Zachary.
"Zachary what is that light?" I asked.
"That light is the Almighty himself." He replied.
I was shocked. I always thought of God as an old man. Only later did I realize he was a spirit that
is everywhere. But at the time I wasn't interested in God. I wanted the truth about Wishbone so I
turned to Zachary and shouted:
"Mr. Dunaway I want the truth and nothing but the truth about Wishbone and about you."
"I intend to give you the truth. Although your going to find parts of it hard to believe. But lets
head back to the restaurant."