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A Magic Touch

John Ragusa

    Barry Finnan had always wanted to have a unique ability. So after he was struck by lightning, he was pleased to find that his touch had become magical. Whenever he touched someone, they would fall asleep. When he removed his hand, they’d awaken.
    He didn’t know why this had happened; it was totally inexplicable. But Barry wasn’t about to complain about it, because he was special now. He had something that set him apart from other people.
    At first, he didn’t tell anyone about it; he wanted it to be his secret. Once something like that got out, insomniacs would bug him to help them fall asleep. He wasn’t going to be a healer for anyone. He was a selfish man; his only concern was for himself.
    He never gave to charity. He thought that people ought to help themselves. He had no interest in philanthropy. He was devoted to the advancement of his own cause.
    His girlfriends had known all about him. He spent little money on them. He got jealous if they looked at other guys, but he flirted with lots of women.
    As a child, he’d been mean to his brothers, Buck and James. He made fun of them a lot, laughing when they cried. He took their toys away, too. He enjoyed making their lives miserable. He thought he was better than them because he was older.
    He knew he could use his touch for his own gain, but he wasn’t sure how. He’d have to read books for inspiration.
    He checked out novels from the library. He read five of them before finding one that gave him an idea. It involved a wager.
    Barry hadn’t seen his brothers for years. He decided to call on one of them.
    He looked up James’s number and phoned him.
    “Hello?” James answered.
    “Hi there, James,” Barry said. “This is your brother, Barry. What have you been up to lately?”
    “You must want something. Right?”
    “I don’t want anything. I called because I’ve missed talking to you.”
    “Yeah, and I’m the queen of England.”
    “I know I’ve been cruel to you before, but I’ve changed now. Can’t you forget the past?”
    “Why should I? You treated me like dirt. You did the same thing to Buck.”
    “That was a long time ago.”
    James hung up. Barry sat staring at the phone. His plan had not been successful.
    However, Buck could be a different story. He was more naîve than James.
    He called Buck, crossing his fingers.
    “Hello?” Buck answered.
    “Is this Buck?” Barry asked.
    “It sure is. Who’s calling?”
    “It’s your brother, Barry.”
    “Really? It’s been a while, man. How have you been?”
    “I’m all right. I wanted to get in touch with you.”
    “I’m glad you did. Where are you living now?”
    “I’m residing at Beasley Street.”
    “You should visit me sometime.”
    “As a matter of fact, I was planning to do that. Are you busy tomorrow?”
    “No, I’m not,” Buck said.
    “I want to meet you and James at your house.”
    “Okay. Do you think you can come over at seven o’clock?”
    “That’s fine with me.”
    “I’ll ask James to come over, too.”
    “Great. I’ll see you both, then. Bye.” He hung up. So far, everything was going fine.

* * *

    The next day, Barry went to Buck’s house. Buck was cordial, but James was aloof.
    After they exchanged greetings, Barry said, “How’s about a wager?”
    “What kind of wager?” James said.
    “I’ll bet you $500 I can make someone sleep by touching him.”
    “That’s impossible!” James said.
    “I’ll bet you James won’t sleep,” Buck said.
    “All right, you’re on,” Barry said, shaking Buck’s hand. “I’ll make James doze off now. Watch.”
    Barry touched James, and he fell asleep.
    Barry beamed. “See? I told you I had a magic touch. Now pay up.”
    “How did you do that?” Buck said, writing out a check to Barry.
    “God gave me the talent. I was struck by lightning, and then I found I had the power.”
    Barry lifted his hand, and James awakened. “Did I sleep?” he asked.
    “Like a baby,” Barry said.
    “Say, I have an idea,” James said. “When we go out and see men, Barry can touch them. While they’re asleep, we can take their wallets. Then we’ll split and divide the cash between us. How’s about it?”
    “That’s brilliant!” Barry said. “Let’s do it.”
    “I don’t know, fellows,” Buck said. “It seems risky.”
    “No guts, no glory,” James said. “We’ve got to try it.”
    “I agree,” Barry said. “If we go into town, we can attempt our plan.”
    “Count me out.” Buck was adamant.
    “You’re chicken,” Barry said.
    “I’m not chicken!”
    “Oh yes, you are. You’re afraid to get arrested.”
    “You win,” Buck said. “Let’s go get us some dough.”
    Barry smiled. “That’s the spirit. Buck, let’s go in your car.”

* * *

    On the way to town, they discussed their plan.
    “Our victim has to be alone,” James said.
    “What if he’s carrying a gun?” Buck asked.
    “It won’t do him any good,” Barry said. “He can’t shoot all three of us.”
    “This is dishonest,” Buck said. “It’s just not right.”
    “Stop being a wimp,” Barry said.
    James pointed ahead of them. “There’s a dude across the street. Let’s get him.”
    They drove up to the curb, stopped the car, and got out. When they approached the man, Barry said, “Hey, you got a light?”
    Before the man could reply, Barry touched him. He fell asleep instantly.
    Then the man started yelling, “Help! Police! I’m being attacked!”
    A squad car suddenly appeared, sirens blasting. Two cops climbed out, their guns cocked and ready. “Freeze!” one of them cried.
    The brothers obeyed him. They were handcuffed and read their rights.

* * *

    In their cell at the police station, Buck said to James, “You and your bright idea! We’re up the river now.”
    “We’ll get off,” Barry said.
    “No, we won’t.” Buck punched the wall. “Thanks a heap, you two.”
    James sneered. “Damn it, how was I to know the bugger we found talks in his sleep?”

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