A Word to the Wiseguy - Part 10 - A Craven Danger Mystery

The hypnotist asked the participants on stage if they would close their eyes and think of a favorite childhood pastime.

“When I clap my hands,” said Emmanuel, “I want the child in you to come forth and have the sort of fun you had when your world was new and there was nothing you couldn’t do.”

Emmanuel the Emancipator stood center stage and was about to induce sleep in his hapless victims when he was distracted by a sudden movement.

“Mr. Buttinski?” said Emmanuel. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m eatin’ a piece a fruit, see?” said Boris. “What’s It to ya?”

“Hey!” said the lady in the fruit salad hat. “That’s my banana!”

“And it was delicious,” said Boris. “But these grapes ain’t goin’ down too good, see? I could use another drink.”

“Hey!” said the lady in the fruit salad hat. “Stop picking at me! I’m not a fruit stand!”

“I think you’ve had enough to drink, Mr. Buttinski," said Emmanuel. “You’re eating wax,”

“And it ain’t bad, neither, see?” said Boris. “They outta try this with meat and potatoes. I’d save a fortune on groceries.”

“Can we get on with the show?” said Emmanuel.

“Sure,” said Boris. “My appetite has been what ya’d call quenched.”

“Good. Then let us begin,” said Emmanuel. “First, all of you must close your eyes and wander back to your childhood. To the backyard, bedroom or park of your youth. Find yourself in that dreamworld of no responsibility. No job. No rent. No bill collector beating down your door. No wars to fight. No drowning your sorrows in vats of alcohol, or in the arms of a lonely stranger. Dream yourselves back, my friends. Dream yourselves back. It’s all within you. Your mind is a sea of memories. Feel the ebb and flow, ladies and gentlemen. Feel the ebb and flow. The ocean is so calm and you’re as serene and carefree as a feather in the wind. Be that feather, my friends and find yourselves blown ashore onto the warm sands of yesterday.

“And when I clap my hands, you will awaken and reenact your favorite childhood pastime. On the count of three. One. Two. Three.”

When Emmanuel clapped his hands the group opened their eyes and began to giggle with excitement. Some being so giddy they bounced from one foot to the next. Never standing on two at the same time.

Boris Buttinski opened his eyes and started looking for the nearest tree. Hide and Seek was a favored game of the young boy, and finding a tree big enough to suit his hiding needs was a concern.

“As, ha!” said Boris. “There’s a good one!”

Hiding behind the biggest tree he could find, Boris put his back to it and tried not to move. Looking up he noticed a tantalizing peach, and so he licked his lips in anticipation.

But as soon as he reached his hand up to pluck the sweet fruit, the tree started to quake and its leaves started to shiver.

“Will you get off me!” said the girl in the fruit salad hat. “That’s not funny! That’s my Easter hat and I’m telling my daddy!”