Copyright © 1992 by Barbara Delaplace, All rights reserved.  For the personal use of those who have purchased the ESF 1993 Award anthology only.
BLACK ICE

Barbara Delaplace

Sept. 14th - Got us a new winger, a kid named Jason Barber.  He's supposed to be Hot Stuff -- at least he thinks he's pretty Hot Stuff.  Idolizes Gretzky.  Even wears his jersey out on one side.  Give me a break. 
Oct. 21st - Another loss, 7-zip.  Poor Boisvert, he must have felt like it was open season on goalies, he took so many shots. 
Oct. 24th - Road trip was a disaster (as usual).  0 and 5.  I'd have settled for a lousy tie, for god's sake.  Felt bad for Richelieu -- the guy just keeps trying, even when it's hopeless.  Never gives up, never lets up, always encourages everyone.  He deserves to be captain of a better team. 
* * * 

Operation Twist-Tie 
Surveillance tape #2-438-65 
Excerpt of phone call between Joey Giotta and Mike Durning: 
Giotta: Look, we'll clean up.  Start it early enough and nobody'll ever figure out what's going on. 
Durning: I dunno, Joey.  If it's that easy, how come nobody's ever tried it before?  It's so obvious. 
Giotta: How do you know they haven't?  Maybe they did and it worked so well no one ever figured it out.  But maybe nobody ever has.  I mean, how long have the lamps been around?  Not very.  We're in on the ground floor on this thing, Mike.  We gotta do it now before anyone else figures it out. 
Durning: I hear the genies have some sort of council or something.  Regulations they gotta follow. 
Giotta: Nah, that's just about how many wishes they can grant and stuff like that.  They don't give a [expletive deleted] about "mortal law" or whatever the hell they call it.  They're too high and mighty to bother themselves about that. 
Durning: Yeah?  So why don't we just get our hands on a lamp and wish for a billion dollars each? 
Giotta: Geez, don't you know anything, Mike?  The federales already thought of that one years ago.  The banks gotta to report anyone with cash deposits over $10,000.  How're you gonna explain your sudden wealth to 'em, huh? 
Durning: So my second wish is that no one finds out. 
Giotta: Forget it.  That's one of the regulations genies hafta follow.  They can't grant wishes that conceal the results of a previously granted wish. 
Durning: I thought you said we'd be in on the ground floor, Joey.  This sounds like it's all regulated tighter than a [expletive deleted]. 
Giotta: Look, Mike, why don't I just look into it, okay?  I know a broad at the State Lamp Lucky Lotto.  I'll see what I can get from her, okay? 
Durning: Well, okay.  But don't you go starting anything, Joey.  I know you -- you go off with another one of those [expletive deleted] ideas of yours and we'll wind up in the slammer for sure. 
Giotta: I'll just talk to her, I promise. 
* * *

Nov. 18th - Groin pull.  I'm out for 3 weeks.  I hate this!  My body's turning into a traitor.  Ain't being the Grand Old Man of the team wonderful?  You betcha. 
Dec. 16th - The wins, how they do trickle in.  We're still in the cellar, of course, but we played ok tonight.  I was even able to stop Javert on a breakaway in the third period. 
* * *

Operation Twist-Tie 
Surveillance tape #2-871-83 
Excerpt of phone call between Joey Giotta and Mike Durning: 
Durning: So what's happening?   
Giotta: Mike, I think I found one.  They had a Lamp Lucky Lotto winner who doesn't want the lamp.   
Durning: What?  What kind of idiot wouldn't want a chance at three wishes?   
Giotta: This one's a religious nut.  Something about wishes being a form of magic and magic is forbidden in the Bible or something.  The only reason his name was drawn was because the draw's based on Social Security Numbers -- everyone in the state is automatically entered.  So he won, and said no.   
Durning: You're kidding, right?   
Giotta: No, really.  He honestly doesn't want the lamp.   
Durning: So if he doesn't want it, how come they haven't taken it back?   
Giotta: There's a thirty-day cooling-off period.  Sally told me they'd run into a few cases where someone would say it was against their principles to use a magic lamp, and they'd take the lamp back, only to have the guy change his mind after a while and say he found a way to live with his principles after all.  Only by then the lamp would have been passed on to someone else, so the first guy would sue.   
Durning: Sue?  Sue for what -- loss of wishes?  You're putting me on.  
Giotta: My mother's grave, Mike.  Breach of promise.  The state had promised them possession and use of a lamp and hadn't given them sufficient time to make "an informed decision." "Informed" my [expletive deleted].  Anyhow, after a couple of these they passed a law saying there had to be a thirty-day period so the possessor of the lamp could search his soul.  And make peace with his conscience, I guess.   
Durning: So how do we know this guy you found won't be like everyone else and go for the wishes?  Sounds like a bust to me, Joey.   
Giotta: Mike, Mike, I'm working on it, okay?  I just found out about this guy last night, and I had to give Sally what she wanted, right?  I called as soon as I could.  She just left the apartment.   
Durning: It's a rotten job, but somebody's gotta do it, eh? You'd better give me what I want, Joey.   
Giotta: I'm going to check it out right away, okay?  I'll get back to you. 
* * *

Jan. 10th - So much for our winning streak, all 2 games of it. 
* * *

Operation Twist-Tie 
Surveillance tape #2-899-23 
Excerpt of phone call between Joey Giotta and Mike Durning: 
Giotta: He's really on the level, Mike.  I checked around. Long-time churchgoer, elder in the church, charity work, the whole bit.   
Durning: So if he's so honest, how're you gonna to get the lamp from him?   
Giotta: Look, I got it all figured out.  I'll tell him I'm from some charity... 
* * *

Official Hearing 
Deposition of Joel Lamb: 
Q: Mr. Lamb, could you tell us when you first met Joseph Giotta?   
A: I first met him about a week or ten days after the January lottery drawing. 
Q: That being the Lamp Lucky Lotto drawing held on January 5th of this year?  
A: That's right.   
Q: And what were the circumstances of your meeting?   
A: He phoned me up.  He said he'd gotten my name from the state lottery officials, that he represented the Charity of Mercy. 
Q: Did you realize that lottery officials are not permitted to give out the names and other information about winners without the express permission of the person involved?   
A: I know that now, but I didn't then.   
Q: And what was his explanation?   
A: I don't follow your question, I'm afraid.   
Q: What was Mr. Giotta's explanation as to why the officials had given him your name and phone number?   
A: Oh, I see.  Well, he said that his charity was in constant communication with the lottery officials, in case there was a winner who didn't want to accept the lamp and make three wishes.  He said the Charity of Mercy would ask such a winner if he'd be willing to donate the lamp to the charity, so that it could be given to someone less fortunate who could make good use of the wishes.  He said that after the three wishes had been made, the charity would return the lamp to the lottery officials.  
Q: And you believed him?   
A: Yes.  I know it looks pretty stupid of me, but it just didn't occur to me that it wasn't on the up-and-up.  I mean, how would he know that I was going to return the lamp without making any wishes?  The lottery people told me not to mention it to anyone, so that I wouldn't be harrassed by cranks or have my house broken into, or anything like that.  
Q: So you assumed he represented a legitimate charity?  
A: Yes, I did.  He offered me a Lamp Transfer Tax Credit receipt to use on my income tax, so it seemed perfectly proper.  And I figured the wishes would be going to a good cause.  
Q: And when did you actually give Mr. Giotta the lamp?  
A: I asked him to give me a day to think it over.  When he phoned the next day, I told him I would agree to give the lamp to his charity.  He came by and picked it up that afternoon.  
Q: When did you discover that you had in fact been deceived? 
A: Not until the end of the month, when the lottery people called me to ask when I was planning to return the lamp.  
Q: And you told them about Mr. Giotta.  
A: Yes.  You see, I assumed he'd be in touch with them, that I was out of the loop.  When I showed them my tax credit receipt, they told me it was fradulent, that I'd been had.  They were pretty upset.  I can understand why, now.  
* * *

Feb 8th - The suits offered me a job in the front office today.  The G.M. talked it up but we both know what it's really about -- they don't plan to pick up my contract.  My last year as a player.  I know it's something any pro athlete has to face, but...  
I just wish I -- no, make that we -- every guy on the team works bloody hard, they deserve it too -- had a chance at the championship.  Not to win, even, just a chance to play.  
* * *

Official Hearing 
Deposition by Joseph Giotta 
Q: Mr. Giotta, you've agreed to answer questions here today with the understanding that no legal action will be taken against you as a result of what you might reveal about your activities, is that right?   
A: You got it.  
Q: Very well, Mr. Giotta.  We've already established how you came into unauthorized possession of a magic lamp.  What were you planning to do with it?  
A: You kiddin' me?  What do you think I was planning to do with it?  
Q: Just answer the question for the record, please, Mr. Giotta. 
A: Call me Joey.  Okay, I was planning to give it to a player on a team that had no chance to make the playoffs, let alone with the Cup.  Then I'd get him to use a wish to make his team the champions.  My pals and I would spread our bets around without calling any attention to them and clean up when they won.  Is that clear enough for you?  
Q: Perfectly, Mr. Giotta.  You must have realized the Magic Lamp Act controlled what kind of wish could be fulfilled, of course?  The player involved couldn't simply wish his team would win the Cup.  
A: Sure I did.  I read the rules, you know.  A wish like that wouldn't work, since the genies only grant wishes that directly affect the guy making the wish.  But they could grant a wish that the guy be on a Cup-winning team.  The catch is, it'd hafta be a player in his last year, so this year would be the only year the wish could be granted.  
Q: So you went looking for an aging player on a losing team, did you, Mr. Giotta?  
A: Call me Joey.  Right.  What kind of odds you gonna get on a favorite?  
Q: Didn't you think it would be a bit obvious if a losing team suddenly started to play like champions in the middle of the playoffs?  
A: Sure, I knew it had to be subtle.  That's why I went hunting before the playoffs.  Nothing suspicious about a team that just squeaks into the playoffs after a hot streak at the end of the season -- happens all the time.  The sportswriters love it, gives them a chance to write about a Cinderella team, how hockey history's being made, all that [expletive deleted].  
Q: And you found exactly the player you were looking for, on exactly the sort of team you were looking for, is that right?  
A: Right.  Matter of fact, I had the guy in mind when I came up with the scam.  Paul Cardinal, an old pal of mine from school.  We keep in touch, which is how I knew he was down on his luck -- team in the basement, last year of his contract.  Everything fitted.  So I went and paid him a visit. 
Q: Wasn't Mr. Cardinal concerned about being seen in the company of a criminal with ties to Vegas?   
A: Hey, don't talk about me like that, buddy.  I ain't never served any time.  My record's clean.  So I have business interests in Vegas?  So what?  So do lotsa guys.  
Q: I'll rephrase the question, Mr. Giotta.  Don't hockey players have to be careful about who they're seen with in public?  Wouldn't your association with Mr. Cardinal have caused comment? 
A: I told you, he and I were pals.  We always got together for a couple of drinks when I was in town.  Folks were used to that.  And with the team record, there's no chance I could have been asking him to throw a game -- I mean, they tripped over their own skates enough as it was.  
Q: So you approached him.  Was he receptive to the idea?   
A: I wouldn't call him enthusiastic.  But he was pretty depressed about how his career had turned out...  
* * *

Feb. 22nd - Joey blew into town, so we went out for a few beers.  I guess maybe I had one too many, and anyway, he's a good listener.  He knew about our lousy season, and I told him about my lousy season -- my lousy last few seasons.  He said he'd have a proposition for me, one that might make the season worthwhile. 
Mar. 3rd - Joey gave me the lamp today.  I held it in my hands for a long time.  A Cup win, just for the wishing. 
I couldn't do it.  
I wished instead that I'd play to the very best of my ability for the rest of the season, no matter how long it lasts. 
* * *

From The Intelligencer-Picayune, March 28th: 
In a surprise upset, the second place Orcas were defeated by the suddenly hot Glaciers on Sunday night, in a 3-2 overtime squeaker.  Rookie winger Jason Barber finally lived up to his pre-draft promise when he fired a slap shot from the blue line at the 3:22 mark.  With several of their star players on the sidelines, the Orcas were not at their best, and the the Glaciers played like men inspired.  The win puts them fourth in the division, and they're now headed for the playoffs, the first time in five years. 
* * *

WSR (Sports Radio) "Play-off Preview" program, April 2nd: 
...a team to watch in the playoffs could be the Glaciers, who were 6-1-2 over their last 9 games of the season.  However, they're slated to play the division champion Skimmers in the opening round.  The Skimmers had the league's second-best overall record ... 
* * *

From The Intelligence-Picayune, May 12th:  
The Glaciers came onto the ice last night and rolled right over the Lumberjacks, who played as if they were the ones frozen solid.  Their 5-3 victory makes them conference winners, one of the biggest upsets in hockey history.  
The Big Blue Iceberg became the Cinderella story of the season when, overcoming an 18-point deficit, they squeezed into the playoffs to the delight of their long-suffering fans.  And those fans were nearly hysterical last night as they watched their team win the 6th game of the series.  The noise level in Memorial Arena was so high it could be heard all the way down to the waterfront...  
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes  
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct  
Our office has received copies of Racketeering Squad surveillance tapes which indicate that a Spirit of the Lamp may have improperly granted a wish requested by a person unauthorized to possess a Lamp.  I have enclosed transcripts of the relevant portions of the tapes so the Brotherhood may investigate, and if necessary take measures to discipline the Spirit involved.   
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
We have investigated the claim of improper wish fulfillment as reported to our office in your recent memo #215567.  Findings indicate that the Spirit of the Lamp involved acted at all times in accordance with regulations laid down in the current contract agreed to by your government and our Brotherhood.    
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
The Spirit involved may have acted according to regulations but it must have realized the wish could have been in potential volation of the law, and should have declined to fulfill it.   
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes   
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Whether or not the wish was in violation of mortal laws governing appropriate use of wishes is outside our sphere of concern.   
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Genies have an obligation to adhere to the spirit as well as the letter of the law, at least insofar as they are familiar with the statutes.  And the ordinance that applies here is among the most important of all those governing Wish Fulfillment.  The government feels it is not unreasonable to expect the Spirit involved in this case would have a working knowledge of what are, and are not, legally approved wishes.   
Personal memo: Look, Mûktar, the Spirit really should have understood this, you know. Jim. 
* * *

From The Intelligence-Picayune, May 30th: 
               GLACIERS WIN CUP!!!  
The Big Blue Iceberg proved unstoppable last night as they defeated the favored Thunderclouds 2-1 to win the series in the 7th game.  Forward Jean Richelieu slammed the puck into the net with only 20 seconds remaining in the final period, to the cheers of a noisy contigent of blue-scarf-waving-fans who flew to the Coliseum in hopes of seeing their team win.   
And win the Glaciers did, in a hard-fought game that saw brilliant work by goalie Michel Boisvert and defensemen Paul Cardinal and Bob Klemchuk, who held the dangerous Thundercloud "Lightning Line" to a single goal.  Said a grinning, champagne-drenched Cardinal, "It's a dream come true for me, for us to win the Cup!"     
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
The Brotherhood's position is that while every effort is made to familiarize the Spirits of the Lamps with mortal law, it can't be expected to be aware of all the minutae of every wish situation's legality. 
Personal memo: Nice try, Jim.  You don't really want me to  bring in the Grievance Committee on this one, do you? Mûktar. 
* * *

From The Intelligence-Picayune, June 10th:   
Rumors are flying that the Cup-winning Glaciers may have won their championship with the aid of magical help.  It is alleged that one of the players may have been in possession of a magic lamp at the time of the playoffs. 
The Wish Regulation and Control Statues (informally known as the "Wishful Thinking Rules") don't expressly forbid an athlete from possessing a lamp.  However, the Magic Lamp Act sets down controls on what wishes genies may fulfill, and the Act indicates wishes can only be of direct benefit to the person making the wish.  Since wishes cannot be made on behalf of a group, it is alleged that the player wished for a Cup victory for himself and thus, of course, the team he was playing for. 
The Glacier front office is angrily denying the rumors.  General manager Jack Stevenson said, "Our players have the very highest standards of conduct, and we stand one hundred percent behind them.  These scurrilous allegations must be stopped, and I'm demanding an immediate investigation to clear the good name of the Glaciers." 
Coach Tom Blackmore added, "It's a pretty sad state of affairs when it's assumed a team like ours can't possibly win without the help of a genie.  My guys have played their hearts out all year, and it finally payed off.  Can you imagine how they feel now?" 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Personal memo: Come on, a sports team?  Alarms should have been going off in the Spirit's mind.  Anything to do with sports is a quagmire, you know that.  Please interview the Spirit involved.  Of course I can't expect exact details, but at least you can let me know what was wished for in general terms. Jim. 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Personal memo: I checked the standard Post Wish Report filed by the Spirit involved, and it was a real borderline situation. This particular Spirit is new to Lamp Service, inexperienced in probability extrapolation, and didn't realize all the ramifications.  It was a simple wish to enable the mortal to perform at his personal best, which is an entirely legitimate request.  Mûktar. 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Personal memo: Oh, brother!  Yes, that does sound like a legitimate wish -- but look at the results.  The League Commissioner is on our case, looking for complete exoneration for the team, the Racketeering Squad is on our case, saying they've got jurisdiction over us and want the two mobsters involved, and  the Vegas bookies are on our case yelling about pay-offs on a rigged game.  We have to get this cleared up or there'll be a bill on the floor to get the whole batch of lamp use regulations revoked.  Jim. 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Personal memo: Revoked?  Hallelujah, then I could go get my karma realigned.  Go on a vacation.  Enjoy a little peace and serenity. Mûktar. 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: Possibility of improper conduct 
Personal memo: Sure you could.  Remember what things were like before the Act was passed?  More and more lamps showing up on the market from that archaeological find in Losan.  Robbery rates going through the roof from folks trying to get their hands on a lamp.  Spirits being invoked half a dozen times in a day. Multiple wishing causing energy drains from the mystic spheres.  Conflicting wishes creating harmonic disturbances on the astral plane.  I'll bet the Brotherhood would just love to have those days back, wouldn't they?  Jim.  
* * *

From The Intelligence-Picayune, June 13th 
League Commissioner Darcy Longstreet released a statement today in which he indicated a full investigation would be made into the claims that the Glaciers won their Cup victory with the alleged use a magic lamp.  "We are pleased to report that the government officials involved with wish regulation have offered to fully cooperate with us in our efforts to find out the truth of these allegations..." 
* * *

Official statement issued by the Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes, Jim Haney, Chairperson: 
I have been in contact with the Mortal Sphere Liaison of the Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings, and while the Code forbids the Spirits from revealing specific details of any particular wish, I have been informed that Paul Cardinal's wish did not involve any mention at all of the league championship or the Cup.  
* * *

Official Hearing 
Deposition by Jean Richelieu: 
Q: Now, Mr. Richelieu, as team captain of the Glaciers, and appreciating that I'm asking about intangibles here, would you say the team played beyond its abilities during the playoffs?  
A: You don't want much, do you?  Yes, the team played its best.  But many teams do at playoff time -- it's not uncommon at all.  
Q: It sounds as though it was uncommon for the Glaciers, though.  When did the team last make the playoffs?   
A: Five years ago.  
Q: And the team's record since that time has not been oustanding.  
A: No, it has not.  Look, I know what's going on here -- you're trying to make a case that we couldn't have won except because of a wish.  And that's not fair.  The team played hard, played its best.  Sometimes you win games that way.    
Q: Mr. Richelieu, we're not trying to make a case about anything, we're simply trying to get at the truth.  
A: No, you're not.  You're looking for a scapegoat, and Paul Cardinal's a convenient target, since he had a lamp.  
Q: An illegally-obtained lamp, I remind you, Mr. Richelieu.  And shortly thereafter, the team with the worst record in the league started winning crucial games.  
A: Yes, we started winning.  Because the team started working together.  Paul played the best I've ever seen him play in six years, and the guys started doing the same.  
Q: "The best I've ever seen him play".  Conveniently, in time for the playoffs.  
A: You bastards.  Paul's an honest, upfront guy, and a hard-working hockey player.  He wouldn't take an unfair advantage--   
Q: That's enough, Mr. Richelieu...  
* * *

From The Intelligence-Picayune, September 17th: 
The league hearing into the Glaciers affair released its findings today.  It concluded that the Glaciers, though the actions of defenseman Paul Cardinal, obtained an unfair advantage against opposing teams through the means of a magic lamp.  The findings made it clear that Cardinal's teammates were unwitting accomplices, and attached no blame to them.  Cardinal has been removed from the team roster and will never be permitted to play in the league again. 
The Cup has been awarded to the Thunderclouds.  Thunderclouds captain Les Coombs said, "I don't condone what Cardinal did.  But every player knows what it feels like to want to be on a championship team.  And when you don't make it you tell yourself there's always next year.  But the years keep going by, and soon there's no time left at all.  Maybe if I were in Cardinal's place, I might have done the same thing."  Asked how he felt about winning the Cup by default, he said, "I don't feel it should have been given to us.  It shouldn't have been awarded at all this year." 
Cardinal could not be reached for comment.   
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
To: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
Re: New regulations 
This is to officially notify you of the new regulations regarding who may legally possess a lamp.  As of now, any athlete competing at any level of any competition, professional or amateur, may not possess a lamp for any reason while he or she is active in competition.  Please pass this along to the membership of the Brotherhood, so that they are aware of the change.  
Personal memo: Well, that's another loophole plugged. Jim. 
* * *

MEMO 
Fr: Mûktar, Mortal Sphere Liaison, Interdimensional Brotherhood of Discorporeal Beings 
To: Jim Haney, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Regulation and Control of Wishes 
Re: New regulations 
The Brotherhood has been notified of the change in regulations.  
Personal memo: I'm sure there'll be another loophole turning up any time now -- you mortals are so ingenious at finding them.  Thanks be to the Powers that I'm a spirit.  Lacking the ability to subvert natural law makes existence so much simpler.  Mûktar. 

-The End-