They see a poster for a stage hypnotist advertising a more risque show.
Jason says, "What a joke. Hypnotists always say that they can't make people do what they absolutely refuse to do. So basically hypnotists look for people of loose morals to hypnotize as in, they aren't actually hypnotizing anyone. They're just giving exhibitionists an excuse to expose themselves. Those people would gladly expose themselves anyway. All they need is a socially aproved opportunity."
Rick says, "Just like you? Whenever we go to the lake, you go skinny dipping whether girls are present or not."
Jason says, "Unless the law is there to prevent me. Alright, I confess I'm a little bit of an exhibitionist but I'm not a pervert about it. I just like to be naked."
Ben says, "I was raised to believe that hypnotism is the same as demon possession."
Mark asks, "Do you believe that?"
"I don't know."
Mark says, "Tell you what. Let's see if we can talk to this hypnotist and ask him some questions."
Ben asks, "Are you sure that's such a good idea."
Jason says, "I doubt they'll let us backstage."
Mark says, "It never hurts to ask. Come on."
They follow Mark but Ben hangs back. There's surprisingly few people around. There isn't even a security guard. Mark knocks on the door.
Someone in the crowd says, "Won't do you no good. The show was canceled. The Amazing Ralstino had an accident. He's in the hospital."
"Is he alright? "
"Just a few broken bones and bruising but he hasn't been released from the hospital."
Mark asks, "We'd like to visit with him. Do you know which hospital?"
"I think it was Mercy but I don't know if they'll allow visitors."
Mark says, "It never hurts to ask. Come on."
They make their way to the hospital and find it very easy to visit the Amazing Ralstino. He has his entire left leg plus his right ankle in a cast. His left arm is wrapped but not in a cast. His right arm is riddled with IVs and monitors. He wears a neck brace. He even has a canula in his nose but he's awake and peaceful.
"Mister Ralstino?"
"Come in, come in. My family is far away and my tour staff is busy making financial arrangements. I'd be happy to have some visitors but don't call me Ralstino. My real name is Ralston but you can call me Paul."
"Are you okay?"
"Well I've been better. The doctors are waiting for some tests to come back but if the tests turn out clear, I might be released tomorrow but they advised me to stay off my feet for a few weeks."
"What happened?"
"Car accident. I think it was a drunk driver but I was too busy being put in an ambulance to know for sure. All I know is a redneck truck slammed into the driver's side where I was sitting. I was pinned in the wreckage and I'm sure the car is totalled. But you didn't come here to hear me complain. You have questions about hypnosis."
Ben asks, "How did you know?"
"I'm psychic."
Ben gives Paul a strange look.
"Naw, I'm kidding. I'm just very familiar with human nature. I have to be in this business."
Jason asks, "So you can identify the exhibitionists who are eager to expose themselves to an audience."
"Just like you?" Everyone laughs. "You are partly right. Hypnosis is real but not as powerful as most people think it is. If you have a strong will, you can resist hypnosis. So I do have to look for volunteers that are less resistant. Plus my own sense of ethics holds me back like a power dampener preventing me from pushing the volunteers too hard."
Mark asks, "So you wouldn't be able to hypnotize Ben here?"
Paul looks Ben up and down. "Don't be so sure about that. I sense he might be more open than he seems."
"What? Oh no. You're not going to hypnotize me. I refuse."
"Alright. I won't hypnotize you but I probably could."
Mark asks, "How about hypnotizing Jason here?"
"He's too easy. No challenge. But, I do sense some limits, some things it would be hard to get him to do."
"That's right. I'd be afraid to volunteer for your show because of how risque it gets sometimes. I'd want to know where the boundaries are before I volunteer."
Ben asks, "Isn't hypnosis the same as demon possession?"
Paul answers, "Not at all. I have seen cases of demon possession so that is real as well. But demon possession is connected to sin. Only people who are drenched in sin become demon possessed and even then, it's not by means of hypnosis."
They continue to have a nice visit with the Amazing Ralstino.
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