Parlor tricks
The other day I was making my rounds through what seemed like the new-age district of Cuernavaca. Everyone I met believed in magic teas and ancient religions—well, ironically, everyone except for the guy who owned the only esoteric items shop in the area. Later I met two brothers, elder men from a reputable family, and I wasn’t too shocked when they emphatically shared their beliefs in the afterlife.
“We can hear from the other side!” They stated.
“Oh cool so can we!” I said.
…silence
“My brother can materialize objects out of thin air,” one said.
As the afternoon progressed we talked about God and the lesser spirits, communicating with spirits and the divinity of Christ, among other things. On this last point they were quite opposed, and since their belief system seemed so “together” I almost started getting intimidated… that is until I caught a light movement from the brother’s hand: a thumb popped up and suddenly a marble hopped on to the table.
“HAHAHAHA I told you he has powers!" One of them said. "You never saw it coming!”
But I had seen him flick it on to the table, and I said so.
“There was no way he could have shot it without it flying straight into your lap! I swear, now do you see? Everything we’ve been saying is real.” He seemed very pleased with himself.
“Sure” I laughed… then I left. Poor guys, dropping marbles with the hopes of appearing to have some sort of spiritual power, when the real stuff is right in front of their noses and they flatly refuse it. Thank God we have so much more than mere parlor tricks.