“Appearances often are deceiving.”

– Aesop, Greek author of fables

“Quite the performance you put on the other night.”

I looked up from my desk. My colleague Jason was standing in the doorway.

“Performance?” I replied. “What performance are you talking about?”

“Come on,” he responded. “I was there at the hall. I saw what you did.”

For a time, I performed hypnotic stage demonstrations and would often be hired by groups and organizations looking for unique entertainment for business conferences and the like.

“There must have been 1,000 people in that room!” said Jason.

“Closer to 1,200,” I replied, reflecting back on the event.

“Well, from...

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