It was opening night at the Orpheum Theatre, and the Amazing Eileen was the headline act. People traveled from miles around to see the famed hypnotist perform.
Taking the stage, she announced, "Unlike most stage hypnotists who invite a few volunteers, I intend to hypnotize every single member of the audience."
The excitement was electric as she withdrew a beautiful antique pocket watch from her coat. "Keep your eyes on this watch," she instructed. "It's a very special heirloom, passed down through six generations of my family."
She began to swing the watch gently back and forth, chanting softly, "Watch the watch, watch the watch, watch the watch..."
The crowd became mesmerized as the watch swayed, light gleaming off its polished surface. Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed its rhythmic motion.
Suddenly, it slipped from her fingers, crashed to the floor, and shattered into countless pieces.
"Shit," said the hypnotist.
It took three weeks to clean up the theatre.