
At a bustling downtown bar, a weary patron discovers an astonishing mental trick: his thoughts can make objects move and people react as if by magic. The first experiment is a simple martini that lifts itself to his lips, followed by a series of playful manipulations that leave the other patrons bewildered and amused. As the sensation of control spreads through him, he begins to relish the new sense of power, tasting the thrill more intoxicating than any drink.
Encouraged by the ease with which he bends reality, he starts to imagine larger, more daring exploits, from petty theft to the idea of a bank robbery. The story follows his escalating temptations, balancing the exhilaration of limitless ability against the growing weight of consequence. Listeners are drawn into a tense, almost humorous cat‑and‑mouse game that questions how far a mind unleashed can—or should—go.
Language
en
Duration
~11 minutes (10K characters)
Release date
May 24, 2024
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A little-known science fiction writer from the 1950s, he left behind a small but memorable body of short fiction for the pulp-magazine era. His stories, including "Operation Lorelie" and "A Trick of the Mind," blend big speculative ideas with brisk, classic storytelling.
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