***The Hypnotist***  It was Holiday Entertainme

***The Hypnotist*** 

It was Holiday Entertainment Night at the senior citizens center. After the community sang Jingle Bells, led by Alice at the piano, it was time for the star of the Show: 

...Claude the Hypnotist! 

..Claude explained that he was going to put the whole audience into a trance. 

..Yes, each and every one of you and all at the same time, said Claude. The excited chatter dropped to silence as Claude carefully withdrew, from his waistcoat pocket, a beautiful, antique, gold, pocket watch and chain. 

..I want you to keep your eyes on this watch, said Claude, holding the watch high for all to see. It's a very special and valuable watch that's been in my family for six generations," Claude reported. 

..He began to swing the watch gently, back and forth, while quietly chanting, Watch the watch. . . Watch the watch. . . Watch the watch.. . 

..The audience became mesmerized as the watch swayed back and forth. The lights twinkling as they reflected on its gleaming surfaces. A hundred and fifty pairs of eyes followed the movements of the gently swaying watch. 

..And then, suddenly. . . The Chain Broke!!! The beautiful watch fell to the stage and burst apart on impact! Then Claude shouted, "SHIT !" 

...It took them three days to clean the Senior Citizens' Center... 

....and Claude was never invited to entertain there again!