A large part of the reason why I’ve been able to maintain my record of posting new material to my blog every Friday is two-fold. 1. Once I get the idea for the content of these non-fiction essays, I ‘m usually able to bang them out on the computer in an hour or so (sometimes less). So much fun writing the stuff that in certain cases I get annoyed whenever I’m forced to stop and take care of something else.
The second reason is because I’ve built up a huge collection of short stories prior to establishing my blog back in January. Whenever I’m forced to come up with something new, 9 times out of 10 what I do is take an old short story, go back in and read it-make changes or corrections to the writing, grammar (etc..). Then chop it up into segments and post them once a week until the entire story is on my blog. The following story was originally written three years ago, and is part I of three parts I’ll post over the next few weeks. Here’s hoping you’ll have as much fun reading this as I did while originally writing it.
Word Count: 508
Competing Hypnotizable Scales
(Part I)
The use of hypnotic therapy to manipulate minds has made tremendous advances. Despite these scientific leaps, some researchers feel that the field should’ve moved further were it not for a sibling rivalry. One that makes the biblical Cain and Abel friction look like a tea party. In this case, more like a Sibling-get-together-in-Hell, complete with each side armed to the teeth by opposing powers.
Hypnotherapy’s most prominent practitioners were twins, Kenneth and Conrad Leyendecker. Both earning their undergraduate degrees in psychology in 1974, then taking the advice of their mother who suggested they branch off in separate paths as scientists.
Besides giving regular advice to her sons, Jennifer Leyendecker also acted as a go-between. This task proved vital, since without being in her diplomatic position, the brothers Leyendecker would probably never communicate with one another. Either that, or via E-mail on their bicycle powered computers.
“Where’d you say Brain-Dead was?” asked Conrad, who was of course referring somewhat un-affectionately to Kenny while visiting with their mother.
“I already told you,” said a despondent Jennifer. “He went into the field of Ethology with an MA at Syracuse University. Then a PhD at MIT. For the welfare of everyone in this family I figured him being there and you here would result in decreased aggravation levels for everyone. Particularly me.”
“You’re right mom,” said Conrad. “Getting my MA in psychology here at UC-Davis and my PhD at Stanford keeps us on opposite coasts.”
“And since both of you are in separate fields far apart, the chances of you two running into one another are about the same as a weather forecaster predicting snow for the Everglades.”
“Yes thankfully. Unfortunately, stranger things happen.”
Jennifer smiled. “You know Conrad, when you two aren’t in the same room at that exact moment, you’re quite pleasant individuals to visit with.”
“Yeah right. Give me one example of Brain-Dead actually putting two coherent sentences in front of one another?” Conrad’s opinion of his brother matched his views concerning calls from telemarketers.
“Quit exaggerating. You’d be concerned if Kenneth ever got hurt.”
“Prove it.”
_______________
Then while visiting with her other son in his Harvard Square apartment-feelings were quite analogous on the other end of the spectrum:
“Mom,” said Kenny. “I’m thinking pretty strongly about furthering my studies through an Internship at Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research station at Gombe Stream, Tanzania. Carrying out some of my behavioral research there might look good on my resume.”
Jennifer could hardly contain her enthusiasm for the idea. “Do it! Your plan sounds
fantastic.” She knew that Tanzania is roughly 12,000 miles away from California give or take a lot of Open Ocean, one or two deserts, and a mountain range here and there. Her separation dreams were falling into place better than she expected. “Somehow I’ll get used to your absence dear.”
“The chances of me and your mentally challenged adopted son running into one another are about the same as a Category #10 Hurricane hitting the west coast of Greenland.”
