The town fathers were looking for a way to increase attendance
and participation at their regular meetings. One member
suggested bringing in a hypnotist. The officials agreed. A
famous hypnotist was hired. The event was publicized around
town. Everyone was pleased.
A few weeks later the meeting hall was packed, and the
townspeople sat fascinated as the hypnotist withdrew a pocket
watch. The hypnotist began chanting: “Watch the watch, watch the
watch, watch the watch…” Hundreds of pairs of eyes followed
the swaying watch, until suddenly the hypnotist’s fingers
slipped and the watch fell to the floor. “Shit,” said the
hypnotist. It took the town 3 weeks to clean up the mess.