Puck's Pleasure Powder

"Cast a spell and watch it work;

Jason is no more a jerk."

"That's not a spell. That's just a rhyme," Jess whispered as Anna cast some shapes under the canopy of the gnarled oak, making the candle flames flicker and bend with the draft from her movements. Jess was feeling a little jittery by the whole being-out-in-nature-at-night thing, having never done it before, not even a camp when she was a younger girl. Even though this was her idea, she was hoping that it would end soon and she could just go home. TV and a bath with bubbles - that's what she wanted right now. She was starting to regret ever suggesting this.

She jumped at every small noise and her startled head moved this way and that, trying to track and trace the scrabblings and rustlings generated by the creatures of the night. She had no plan for what she would do if she saw something but her adrenaline was at the ready and her pounding heart was nicely warmed up for imminent flight from there, if required.

Anna, her friend, however, was starting to get into the spirit of it all, twisting and weaving her arms through the air in what she thought were mysterious ways, loosening up a little after originally going along with this mad idea to keep Jess happy. She had no knowledge of anything occult other than what she had read in stories and thought it was a load of bunkum. However, she loved her friend and if going to the woods with some candles and doing some chanting on a beautiful moonlit night would give her hope and lift her friend's mood, then Anna was going to help her out.

Jason. He was the reason they were here. Good-looking, popular, funny, bit arrogant - difficult to get close to. Hence the spell. Jess had been trying to get noticed by him for months but other than a smile that may or may not have been directed at her, he had shown no interest and wasn't likely to really, Anna thought, unless Jess engaged in something more than simpering looks from afar in a hope he'd act on it.

Anna knew that Jason was the type of boy who would just expect things to come to him, like the attraction of a magnet, and also knew that he wasn't right for Jess but he was like an obsession to her friend and whilst she did not agree with Jess's choice of crush, she did want to help her get a result or failing that, get over it in some way. Talking about it hadn't worked and so here they were. It was, Anna thought, almost like he had cast a spell over Jess himself from the way that his attraction had this hold over her.

Anna did a few more twirls and murmurings in her dad's dressing gown which was the closest thing she could find to a dark robe in a hurry, and stopped with her arms raised to the moon, face glistening from her exertions and a sense of accomplishment at having done something, even if it was a load of nonsense.

Jess was still huddled in her hoodie, knees up to her chin, head darting here and there and teeth chattering just a little with cold or fear, which one Anna wasn't sure. It was time to stop.

"Right. That should do it," Anna said, going over to her friend and sitting down next to her.

"You think?" Jess looked up at her friend with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Well, it can't do any harm, can it?" Anna said. "We've tried and he'll either notice you or he won't. Tomorrow, you'll find out." Anna tried to imbue her words with power but it was hard to be convincing. "Right. Let's get home. You look frozen."

Jess smiled weakly, her desperate longing for Jason to show some sign of liking her threatening to spill over into tears but with a tug on her arm from Anna, she got to her feet and went around extinguishing the candles, making sure that the torch that they had used to come to this spot was on before getting rid of all the other light. The moon was bright but the shadows still lurked and Jess was still twitchy.

Oh man, she hoped this worked!

So did Anna. She just wanted her friend to shed this longing and revert to her happier self. She'd see her through it as good friends do.

***

[Enter a small pixie like figure, dressed in rough clothing, with a pointed face, a face filled with a smile that is not wholly benevolent and a sharp glint in his eye made of mischief and guile. Fireflies, or what look like them, skitter around him, giving the impression that he is giving off sparks, like an exposed electrical wire]

The depths that people go to for love, eh? I find it fascinating. Why? Why are humans so needy? Always looking for the right companion, the soul mate, the yin to their yang. I find it all so yawnsome.

[Puck yawns exaggeratedly, his pointy fingered hand over his mouth, palm facing outwards]

They should be a sole player, like me. Much easier. Much, much easier.

[Puck directs himself at you, the reader, for your full attention. His eyes are on yours. You feel unsettled but beguiled. He is a force of nature, something otherworldly, something that you can't quite grasp in your limited mind]

And much more fun.

[He pauses to see that he has your full attention and continues when he sees he has]

Let me introduce myself. I am Puck: sprite, mischief maker, rebel rouser, pain in the arse. [He takes a bow] However you see me, I am all of these things. I'm what you'd call nowadays an influencer although I'm doing it from the shadows, not from the screen. Been around a while, meddling here, meddling there. Trying to make a difference, you know?

[Warming to his theme, Puck paces back and forth, chest puffed out a little, emphatically gesturing with his hands, like he is trying to win your vote at a rally. He is close to shouting in his forthrightness]

Because you humans need a little help. Let's face it, most of you are inept when it comes to love. It's a fucking mess, pardon my French. Oh my gods, are you useless at love! I mean, what happened to a little wooing? Everyone's in so much of a rush, looking for the instant connection, the love at first sight. Do you know how rare that is? I do. It's rarer than hair on a baldy.

You think, right, you think that a look is all it takes, am I right? [Here, he looks back at you, to check you're listening. You are. He is happy. He continues] Or a click. Click! Or a swipe. Love, please! Or buying someone a drink. But it's so much more involved than that. You're confusing sex for love. Sex is easy. Oh yeah! You humans know how to do sex alright. But that ain't love. Nope. Nein. Niet.

[Puck's expression has changed from almost angry to thoughtful as he gets philosophical. He has stopped pacing. He is not looking at you but he knows you are listening]

Love takes time. It takes work. It takes patience and the problem is no-one has the time to make it work. And patience has long been a defunct character trait in most people. The ingredients for love just aren't there anymore. You know, if you don't nurture, nothing grows. Nurturing takes time. And patience. That's what I'm saying! And that's just what's missing from you humans' and your attitude to love.

[Puck's posture has softened a little and he starts to pace again but with a little swagger; playfulness. His tone is less preachy, more conversational]

Take this evening. Here I am, hanging around the woods as us sprites like to do, having just sorted out some issue with a foundling - that's a tale for another time - when I come across some strange scene, candles and humming and some girl in a dressing gown doing something strange around a tree while another girl sits there like a frightened rabbit.

I mean, I'd have cried if it hadn't been so ridiculous. Teenage girls, when they've got it bad, are a bit crazy, if you ask me. Many of you wouldn't, I know, but I've got experience in the love game, you know, and conjuring in the woods at night is not the way to get your man. It's the way to get scared, and hungry, and maybe invite in some bad mojo, but conjuring love? Not a fucking hope. This is the domain of the desperate, for sure! Bloody ludicrous! Made me laugh though!

[Puck is becoming more animated and mirrors and imitates in his expressions, while he is describing them, the way he saw the girls in the woods]

You could see it was the one sitting who was lovestruck. She had that wistful, hopeful look to her, all brimming with love to give but no outlet to fill with it. Pitiful. I bet she's never even spoken to the guy, not face to face. Imagined conversations in her dreams but she's never had the courage to approach him. I bet she smiles and hopes. Well, you ain't never gonna get him that way.

[Puck is looking at you again and his voice is rising in speed and volume]

I know, I know - it takes courage to put yourself out there! I know!! Do you think that I've lived for eons and not learnt that? I know how it plays! But you're never going to get anywhere unless you're bold. And I know it's fear of rejection that stops people - "I don't want to get hurt" [uses whimpering whiny voice here] - but you can't live your life with regret as the main player either. You only get one shot at it when you're a human so you may as well crash and burn than stay safe on the ground, never knowing what it is to soar.

[Puck's speech has risen to a crescendo and he pauses for it to take effect, nodding his head appreciatively, looking upwards]

I stayed a bit and watched for my own amusement. The one doing the weird dancing, you could tell she'd got her head screwed on properly. You could tell she was just there for her mate. I liked her for that. See, people? That's love, right there! Showing up for those you care about even if you do look like an idiot doing it. Taking the time, showing some patience - you hear what I'm saying?

[His voice has risen again and when he speaks again, it is a lot quieter, almost a whispering threat. He turns his right hand so that he is looking at his fingernails, palm upwards, fingers bent. He sighs]

And so, we find ourselves at a crossroads. What should I do? What should I do? I don't know. Do I get involved or do I let it run its course? Should I sprinkle a little fairy dust in the eyes of this Jason or leave well alone?

[It appears that Puck is deciding what to do from his expression as his eyebrows meet, frowning, brow furrowed; then his eyes widen and he moves his jaw from side to side, ruminating. It is cartoonish in its over-the-top-ness. And then he suddenly stops and looks directly at you again, eyes bright, expression mischievous, like an elfin Jack Nicholson. Shadows flicker across his face and the lights around him flare and expand, leaving patches on your retinas]

I think we should have a little fun, don't you?

[Puck is gone]

***

When Jess and Anna went into school the next day, Jason was waiting by the gate. Anna had noticed him there before Jess had, which was unusual as Jess was on constant Jason-alert but then, he never waited by the gate. Ever. In fact, he was always slouching in late with his cronies, turning up just in time because he was cool (or thought he was) and that was cool kids' behaviour. She thought him being there was a bit weird and felt a little chilly suddenly.

She could also see that something was different in his posture and his general demeanour. He was trying to look nonchalant and failing.

Anna looked at her friend. Jess had noticed him and her heart had immediately started to race a little. Jess cast a glance at him to see if he was looking at her and he was! He was! He was looking at her! Not only was he looking at her but he was smiling a big, cheesy smile! Jess's heart leapt. He had noticed her! Finally! She beamed back, filled with joy.

Anna suppressed her surprise as she saw Jason look directly at her friend and smile the smile of a demented game show host. Something is afoot here, she thought, and I don't like it at all.

"Anna!" Jess hissed excitedly. "It worked! Anna, it worked!"

"Yes," she managed to say before Jason started shouting.

"Jess! Jess!" Jason waved maniacally at Jess. "Jess! Over here! I've been waiting for you! Jess!"

Jess's face was like the sun had burst through the clouds and positioned itself to impart its golden warmth solely on her features. She had never looked more radiant and Anna felt her heart swell when she saw her friend's happiness manifested in such clarity.

Jason was running towards them like a toddler towards a playground, Jess his sole focus and Anna's warmth left her as he ran to Jess, put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead as if he had the right.

Jess was shocked but so smitten and awestruck that she could do nothing but look adoringly into his eyes. A shutter had come down as Jess and Jason walked in together and Anna was forgotten, not even a goodbye.

What the fuck? Anna thought, her stomach swirling with many emotions: concern, disappointment, surprise, unease, distaste - but none of them joy.

***

[Puck is back and he is smug. He has sauntered in and is looking at you but not holding your gaze as he was before]

What? What?! You don't like the outcome?

[He has the decency to look a little chagrined but it is quickly replaced by a wicked grin]

I mean, I am good. Aren't I?

[He is looking directly at you now, still looking wicked and a little arrogant. You want to wipe the grin off his face but how?]

I mean, what a turnaround! Jason and Jess! A couple! Within minutes of the school day starting. I mean, that is a result right there and then, isn't it? There's no denying it. Everybody's happy!

[He sees your questioning eyebrow and flinches a little]

What? What?! What now? It's a happy ending! Girl wants guy, guy gets magicked, girl gets guy! Bish! Bash! Bosh! Job's a good 'un! Love is in the ascendant and all is well.

[He casts a glance your way and still sees your displeasure]

It'll last you know. It's not a temporary enchantment. Only I can break it. So, as long as I don't do that, nothing will change. Jason and Jess will continue forever as long as she doesn't get sick of him and his extremely attentive, over-possessive, obsessive ways. She is now his everything - the apple of his eye.

[He says this last line in a simpering way, the mischief returning to his eyes as he revels in the memory of what he has done]

Can't you see what a good deed I have done?

[He tries not to look at your disapproving eye but you are glaring, reader. You are glaring]

I wish you'd stop looking at me like that. It's enough to give a well-meaning sprite the jitters. But I know what you're thinking. I do. I know all too well. This is not love.

[He pauses and you soften your glare a little]

You're right. It's not. But Jason was never going to look at Jess. He's already got something going on with Missy from Chemistry and some girl called Stacy he met in the summer as well as the secret feelings he has for Anna...

[You gasp at this knowledge]

Yes! You didn't know that, did you? See? See?! And now, because of a little PPP - Puck's Pleasure Powder - sprinkled on the sleeping eyelids of the slumbering jock, his eyes have been opened to the joys of Jess and they could [he alters his tone here], could live happily ever after, like a fairytale or the end to a great comedy. All's well that ends well, or something like that. Or they'd at least be together forever, if not happy maybe. Who knows?

[He looks at you confrontationally, hands on hips]

But it looks like you're not going to let that play out, are you?

[He is glaring, getting angry]

NO! You want me to undo all of my good work for something more pure!

[He is shouting now]

YOU [he says this sneeringly] WANT JESS TO BE UNHAPPY!

[This is his coup de grace and you feel chastened by it until you realise what he said earlier about love taking work and time and patience and how by his actions, he has proved himself a hypocrit. You go to retort but he is ahead of you]

Wait! Wait! Okay. Okay.

[He puts his hands up in surrender, palms towards you to placate you. You think to yourself that this sprite is a master manipulator and you are not fooled]

I know. I know. I'm a hypocrit. All that stuff I said earlier about time and patience, etc., etc. I know. You're right. You are right.

[He is moving again, to and fro, pacing slowly and meaningfully]

I mean, Jason and Jess could work. There's nothing to say that she won't adapt to his fawning behaviour and be the accommodating little lady that he's always wanted; who stops seeing Anna because he wants her to spend all of her time with him; who doesn't let her join clubs or go out to the theatre or get a job or have kids because he wants her all to himself; who makes her feel guilty when she goes to the shop for a bottle of milk because he weeps when she's away but she hates returning too because he won't give her ANY FUCKING SPACE!

[Puck shouts these last words before continuing at normal volume]

I mean, it could work.

[He smiles a smile that is chilling and you repress a shudder as you don't want him to know that he has got under your skin with his words]

She wanted him after all and she has got him...

[Puck's face displays the sinister delight of the power that he is holding over one person's fate and you are loathe to indulge him. You go to stop reading...but then his mood changes again, to something lighter and more rational. It is like an eclipse has happened and the sunlight is returning to a dark place of loathing and malice to change it for the better]

But that would be cruel.

[Puck looks thoughtful again before smiling at you]

Tell you what. Shall we see how they're getting on before we decide?

[Puck disappears]

***

Anna hadn't sat on her own like this since the days before Jess in primary school. They had been dark days for her: days of loneliness and insecurity and no confidence. She liked who she was now and she knew that she'd had Jess's continued friendship to thank for that. They complimented each other perfectly and she loved her friend dearly. And now, she missed her as she hadn't spoken to her in days. Jess was all Jason now and in a way, Anna was happy for her because that's how you should feel towards those you love when things are going right for them but, and here was the rub, she couldn't help but feel sad and abandoned.

She was just getting to the last bit of her sandwich, reading an excerpt of A Midsummer Night's Dream online - she had recently discovered a fascination with Puck which was bizarre and unexpected for a self-declared science geek - when the doors swung open to the cafeteria and Jess was running across to her wild-eyed and looking like she was being pursued, like a rabbit by a fox.

"Anna! Anna! Thank God I've found you! You have to help me! I can't..."

And here she broke off and burst into tears.

Anna instantly set about comforting her friend.

"Hey, Jess. It's okay. It's okay. What's going on? What's happened?" Anna had dropped her sandwich and had come round to the other side of the table to put a comforting arm around her friend's shoulder.

"I can't...I can't...he's just...everywhere...all the time!" Jess gasped the words out between heavy sobs, her whole body heaving with her desperation.

"Jason? Do you mean Jason?"

Jess nodded and looked at her friend with her blotchy face and swollen lips.

"Can you help me? Can you break the spell? I know I said this was what I wanted but it isn't. I don't...like it. He won't leave me alone...ever."

Anna frowned, an angry warmth flooding her body at the thought that Jason might have harmed her friend and asked the burning question:

"What do you mean? Has he hurt you?"

Jess looked wide-eyed and shook her head. "No, nothing like that, Anna. We've done some stuff and that's been fine, lovely even," Jess blushed as she said this, "but he's just never not there, Anna. He's around me all the time. I can't escape him. Even at night, he is texting me or FaceTiming me or throwing pebbles at my window to serenade me or calling me or demanding we meet...It's fucking relentless!"

Anna took a sharp intake of breath. Jess had never sworn like that before. Ever. If she was dropping F-bombs, Miss Goody Two Shoes herself, this was BAD.

"I want it to stop, Anna! I want him to stop! I want him to go away! I can't cope..."

Jess burst into tears and Anna held her friend as she sobbed and sobbed and sobbed. Anna would help her friend. Only problem was she wasn't sure how.

***

[You are waiting for Puck to arrive.]

***

[Puck arrives. He is lethargic in his movements and there is a reluctance about his steps as he comes towards you. His head is down, like he is ashamed. You wait for him to speak. He takes his time.]

So.

[Pause]

I think I know what you're thinking.

[Pause]

I may have played this one just a little too well.

[Pause]

I mean, I'm pretty pleased with the result...

[Pause - a dangerous and misguided one for Puck that he hastily ends]

...but I'm guessing you're not.

[He sighs dramatically]

You know, sometimes, it would just be nice to be appreciated for what I've done and how much work has gone into it instead of having to undo it all the time when people or fairies don't like it.

[He becomes more animated]

I mean, do you know how much effort I put into this? It wasn't just about the sprinkling of the dust, you know. No! I had to find him and get into his room and cross it, avoiding dirty underwear and soiled sports clothing and empty food wrappers and used tissues...and he'd had curry for dinner so the air was, shall we say, thick...

[He tails off, his face a picture of sad remorse and disappointment. But, within a second, his mischievous side resurfaces and he looks directly at you, eyes blazing]

It was a lot of work and now it is all for nothing.

[His tone becomes wily]

Unless, of course, there was some bargaining to be done.

[You, reader, will not succumb to his blackmail and turn your eyes away from the page where he lives, knowing that not reading him will make him disappear]

I see. It is like that. And so, like the literary tool I have always been, I must submit to the demands of my creator whosoever it is this time, and those who read their works, and be subservient and do their bidding. I see.

[Puck turns away from your reading eyes, his shoulders slumped, his head heavy. You feel sad for him but know that his legacy will endure beyond this story in the writings of another for many more years to come, possibly forever, as they have done to this day...]

So it ever shall be.

[Puck disappears]

***

Anna stands on the doorstep at Jess's house, holding the bedding she's brought for the sleepover. She was surprised to get the call after not hearing from Jess for so long but after their encounter in the cafeteria earlier that day, she guessed that something must have shifted.

And it had because behind the door as it opened was a much happier Jess who threw herself at her best friend and hugged her fiercely.

Anna was unable to reciprocate, standing as she was with her arms securing her duvet and pillow but she accepted the warmth from her friend and waited for her to release her hold.

"Thank you, Anna! Thank you. I don't know how you did it but thank you!" Jess gushed, finally letting go and opening the door further for Anna to come in.

"Why? What have I done?" Anna asked as bemused as Jess was enthused.

"You broke the spell, silly! Jason and I are no more!" Jess was beaming from ear to ear at this news, an unexpected development considering her previously dedicated-to-Jason state. "He finished with me this afternoon, just after I saw you in the cafeteria, within minutes actually. Thank you!" And she moved to hug Anna again.

Anna wisely kept her mouth shut as she knew that she had done nothing at all to change anything and that even if she had attempted to break the spell, it would have made no difference as spells were nonsense and the whole thing had just been a bizarre "spell" in their lives, conjured from coincidence and not a result of magic at all.

Anna hoped that Jess would dispel the myth that there was any credence to their moonlit woodland antics and forget about the whole thing. She didn't fancy having a scenario like this again in the future of their friendship. But she didn't dwell on this as she was just relieved that she had got her friend back, her best friend, the friend she dearly loved.

***

[Puck is standing before you, a wry, almost shy grin on his pointy little face. He is looking questioningly at you as if he is waiting for something; expectant. Time passes and he starts to tap his foot with something like impatience or irritation. Finally, as you remain quiet, he speaks]

So? Are you happy with the outcome? I mean, I'm not totally happy. I worked hard, well, relatively hard, for me. I was creative, let's say, and craft should always have appreciation shown for it, don't you think?

And it's a happy ending, isn't it? It's not high romance but it is love.

And it is love that requires time and patience so no hypocrisy here. Puck delivers!

[He claps his hands together once to applaud himself]

I think it's all worked out rather well. I mean, Jess got a flavour of what she wanted and discovered that she didn't like the taste, although I may have concentrated it just a little, made it a little overpowering. But nobody's perfect. And the PPP is prone to clumping in the old pouch. [He taps a small leather pouch hanging at his belt] It can be a little tricky to get it exactly right.

I mean, are you pleased?

[Puck stands hand on hips, head cocked to one side, eager to hear an answer. It would be rude not to answer so what do you think?]

***

It's an ambitious or foolish writer who takes an idea from Shakespeare and morphs it into their own story but that is what I've tried to do here.

I think the character of Puck is great. A mischief maker, a henchman, an otherworldly creature - why wouldn't you want to have a go at your own spin on him?

I took a similar approach to this story as I did the one about Death below:

Taking a mythical character and putting he/she/they in a modern setting is a great way to exercise your imagination and to find their voice. I've imagined Puck as some sort of Cockney wideboy - a rogue with a London accent - but he might sound completely different to you. I've tried to make him mercurial and not driven at all by conscience and more manipulator. He likes to play and playing with people and Fate is one of his joys and that is something that I could use in this story.

I struggled with the coven idea and took my own route for this challenge which may or may not be recognised but sometimes, you have to go where the story takes you, regardless of the prize. Well, I do anyway.

Thanks for stopping by. If you do read it, please leave a comment as I love to chitchat with my readers!