In the dark there was a low murmur. Voices, loud and soft and all over encompassing the auditorium with a hum of conversations and devices. The crowd was exceptionally large on this night and heavy with an energy of sorts, a thickness in the air that could be tasted and touched. Among the crowd sat groups as large as twenty men to a line of seats, or families of three, or four, or single patrons with adventurous eyes. The lights were dim but bright enough to navigate, the dusty stage illuminated at the front of the gaping room, almost resembling a cathedral in design and in a way of uncomfortable atmosphere. The show was about to start, the last of the guests searching for seats together as the outside doors shut and things became quiet, darker. …show more content…
I would like for you to rest your hands on your knees and clear your mind. Focus on my voice. Are you a creative man, mister Hartford?”
“Yes, I believe I am.”
“Very good, very good. Now close your eyes. Imagine you hear the sound of rain, a steady fall on a windy night. A low rumble of thunder, but a calming storm. I want you to feel a heaviness, Jacob, a heaviness in your eyes. I want you to let them fall shut. You do not want to open your eyes, Jacob. Your eyes are heavy, and so are your hands now, Jacob. My voice is your authority, you will do as I say from now on. You are sleepy, Jacob. Jacob, you are falling to sleep. Your head is dropping, all of you is too heavy to bear, you must fall asleep, Jacob. And there, you are asleep.”
Jacob’s head slumped down, his arms limp at his sides. The audience let out a collective gasp, the most satisfying part of the show, the first gasp was. Malphus cackled, his stomach somewhere else.
“And now, Jacob, when I count to three, you are going to wake up. But when you awaken, Jacob, you will not be yourself. In fact, you will be a snake. You will crawl on your belly and hiss like a viper on the count of three, Jacob. One, you are waking up slowly. Two, you are almost awake, Jacob, you are a snake. Aaaand