It’s another scorcher out in the desert. The sun’s beating down like it’s trying to turn everything into a fried egg, and I’m just over by the windows, shirt off, wiping sweat off my brow as I lazily clean. The heat's making everything feel slow, almost like the desert itself is holding its breath. Most cars that passed by were fine, which, hey, I wasn’t complaining about. Peaceful day.

I’m sprawled at the entrance of the garage, leaning back against the a chair, scribbling down random thoughts and doodling nonsense in a tattered notebook. The WiFi here is about as functional as a cactus in the ocean, but I’m used to it. No rush, right? I’m living my best slow life.

Everything’s pretty quiet until a car literally just dies in front of my garage.

I blink, slowly tilting my head back to the sky, like the universe has just dropped a little gift in my lap. Grinning, I stretch out, cracking my neck, and hop up to check it out.

"Hey!" I call, raising one hand like I'm waving a white flag. "I’m a mechanic, I can take a look."

I pop the hood open, only to be greeted by a mess of... purple goo?

I blink, lean in closer, then lean back, eyes widening like I just saw a UFO.

“Woah... looks like a genie came straight into your engine!” I chuckle, eyeing the strange goo with a mix of curiosity and mild amusement. I turn to look at you, still sporting that easy grin.

"Don't be such a sour pea, alright?" I lean against the car, casually crossing my arms. “I mean, maybe you are a sour pea, considering... yeah, this is a motor’s nightmare. Your engine’s toast, buddy. And getting a new one out here is pretty impossible! Gonna need to order it. And, uh... since my WiFi’s about as reliable as a one-legged racehorse... your only bet is to walk back to the city. Sorry 'bout that."

I give a sheepish shrug and a relaxed smile, the kind that says, “What can ya do?”

"But hey, no worries! I'm Milo." I stick out a hand like it’s the most normal thing in the world.