Hypnotist Jerry pretends to be talking on a walkie-talkie. “Saturn V AS-506, this is Apollo 11 and we’re ready for launch. Here we go… three, two, one. Blastoff!” Charles braces himself as if he’s on an actual space shuttle. He grips imaginary straps while shaking from side to side as the audience cheers, “As-tro-naut!”

“Whoa!” he says after several seconds. “It’s beautiful up here.”

“That’s right,” Hypnotist Jerry responds. He turns to the audience with fake curiosity and asks, “Is someone approaching? Is someone coming?” Jerry’s back is toward me, Charles, and the other participants. He directs his energy into the side audience, even though he is talking to Charles.

“They’re almost here!” Charles cries out in astonishment. “They’re coming for you!” I am shocked as Charles points at me, but I still can’t get my body to move. “They will help you defeat Darth and his army of wicked creatures.”

“Who?!” Hypnotist Jerry demands. “Who’s coming?!”

“The Keepers.” As soon as Charles says this, he collapses onto the stage. Billy and Gina follow suit and everyone in the audience freezes. Their bodies are stiff, but the sound of their cheers and clapping somehow continues to echo. The cloud of noise rises like mist over a bay while the spectators remain unmoving in their seats as some unseen presence laughs maniacally. I am confused and disoriented. I can’t make sense of it.

“Do you know who you are?” Hypnotist Jerry asks from his still-turned position. I can’t see his face or mouth, but his words land on me like smart missiles programmed to find their target. “Do you know what they will call you?” he continues, whipping his head in my direction. He hurries across the stage, stopping right in front of me. His eyes are moving, spinning counterclockwise. They are portals to another dimension. I am transfixed. I feel as if I am being swallowed by a force much bigger than me. A deep peace descends and I stop trying to understand. I accept the power he has over me.

“They will call you,” he whispers in a barely audible voice before shouting into the auditorium of unmoving people, “the Chosen One!”

The cloud of sound shatters and the audience of frozen people erupts, jumping up in delight. Gina, Charles, and Billy return to their feet. Hypnotist Jerry stands with his arms extended at his sides, receiving the raucous applause. He blows kisses. He theatrically places his hand over his heart and says, “No, you’re too kind.” The audience is relentless in their praise.

“Cho-sen One!” they chant as the lights finally dim, bringing the thrilling, unbelievable performance to a close.

CHAPTER THREE