"Are we there yet?" Maria asked. "For the hundredth time," said her mother, "no, we're not there yet. Not for another couple hours."

Maria stared out the window at the sun-drenched California landscape. "I wish we were there already."

A violet mist filled the car. "What the hell?" said her mother.

"Your wish is granted!" boomed a voice. Maria and her brother looked at the middle seat, where a muscular, shirtless man now sat, cramped, with a bright smile and a thick beard. He brought his hands together, and with a sound like a thunderclap, the four of them and the genie appeared inside Disneyland.

"Thanks, Genie!" Maria hugged him.

He looked uncomfortable. "Um, people don't usually appreciate me."

"Well," Maria's mother said, "you got us where we wanted to be, without the hours of travel. Thank you! Is there anything we can do for you?"

"No, really, there's nothing." The genie disappeared, looking kind of guilty.

"Well, kids," she said, "let's have a great time."

It was only hours later, after the security personnel escorted them from the park for not having passes, that they heard the news about an empty car causing a huge pileup on Interstate 5.