CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK Read Online Free PDF Page A

with a pen on his
desk.
    “ Certainly, Doctor.”
Shifting in that unwelcoming chair, eager to flaunt my talents, I
glanced around his office. Filing cabinets, a few pictures, lots of
framed diplomas. Not much else. Ah, the wastebasket, full of
crumpled-up papers. Mentally focusing on the wastebasket, the
crumpled-up papers burst into orange flames. Creating intense heat
took so little of my concentration.
    Throwing the pen, Dr. Tober sprang from
his chair. “My God, man!”
    “ Relax Doctor, I can control
the flames.” I mentally shut down the fire and it fizzled with a
small WHUMP. Simple if you remove all the oxygen from that spot.
Although I’d had some interesting times while learning that
trick.
    The good Doctor was plastered against
his file cabinet. He didn’t look nearly as disinterested or
skeptical now. Thick, grey smoke drifted through his office,
causing him to lean over coughing.
    “ I’ll open a window, Dr.
Tober.” I gallantly offered, nodding toward the window.
    He removed a handkerchief from his suit
jacket’s breast pocket, covering his nose and mouth. Big eyes
blinking rapidly, he mumbled, “Uh, the windows don’t open above the
second floor, and we’re on the fifth floor.”
    I mentally focused on the window set
into the wall behind his desk; glass, thick, wire-reinforced. The
window began to dissolve, allowing a stream of fresh air to flow
inside.
    “ What did you just do?” He
demanded, jerking his head toward the window.
    “ Relax,” I told him
nonchalantly, “I dissolved the window into a screen. Don’t worry;
I’ll change the window back.” I tried to relax into that
torture-device-of-a-chair with my left ankle crossed at my right
knee.
    Still staring wide-eyed at the window
turned to screen, he reached out and picked up his phone, keeping
his distance from me. “Doctor Burns, grab Gordy and get in here
right now!”
    Judging by his reaction to my
demonstration, he might not be as immune to the unexpected as I
thought. Returning the handkerchief to his pocket, he gave me the
LOOK most people do when I’ve used abilities that they don’t have,
as if I was a cockroach crawling across their hand.
    The door burst open and in rushed the
tall woman from the lab, followed closely by the short, round and
now puffing man. She shot me the same funny look she had in the
lab.
    With his underlings at hand, Dr. Tober
returned to his chair, introducing us around. He gave a brief
description of my demonstration. Dr. Gordy peered intently into the
trashcan at the glowing embers, while Dr. Burns hesitantly walked
over to the window, gently touching the screen. She turned, staring
at me with skepticism, distrust and a touch of fear.
    Telepathically I said to her, *No Ruth,
no hoax.*
    Startled, she asked,
“Telepathy?”
    “ Yes.” I said, gazing back
into her beautiful jade-green eyes.
    Looking suspiciously at Ruth, Tober
said, “But I heard nothing. Gordy?”
    “ No sir, not a word.” Gordy
confirmed, also staring at Ruth
    Hands on hips, she stated, “Well I
did!”
    “ Of course, Ruth. I was
speaking only to you.” I told her with a smirk.
    She started toying with her necklace,
glancing from Dr. Tober to Dr. Gordy. She looked like a deer ready
to bolt.
    With a smug, arrogant smile I
continued, “And I read your mind Doctor, and now I know everything
about you, down to your smallest, little secret.” Telepathically I
said, *Don’t worry Ruth, I won’t discuss your sex life.* I gave her
a lewd wink.
    Her hand flew to her mouth and she
blushed furiously!
    Dr. Burns, are you all right?” Dr.
Tober asked with a concerned look.
    “ Yes Dr. Tober, I’M FINE!”
Ruth hissed through clenched teeth. She was trembling with
indignation.
    Tober‘s analytical eyes and Gordy’s
puzzled ones bounced back and forth from Ruth to me.
    By her mannerisms and her speech, I
could tell she was from an affluent background. She was fighting to
maintain her composure. Aloud I said soothingly, “Relax