Free Cold Hard Magic by Rhys Astason

Chapter 1
     
     
    “So then I looked at this guy’s spiritual lighting in the photo I took.”
     
    Rob Sanders leaned forward in anticipation. “Yeah?" He nodded, encouraging the speaker to continue. "And what did you see?” His eyes lit up with unfettered excitement.
     
    “A pyramid,” the larger man replied, nodding sagely.
     
    “No way!”
     
    “Way," Big Jimmy replied. He leaned back on the faux leather chair which had seen better years and crossed his arms over his sizeable gut. "And then," he paused, waiting until Rob bobbed his head expectantly, "this guy learned he would take a trip to Egypt a week later.”
     
    “Wow," Rob murmured. He sat back on his chair, eyes unfocused and deep in thought. They suddenly cleared as a question popped in his head. "Did you say that at the time you did his reading?”
     
    “Well…" Jimmy shrugged awkwardly, then shifted his hulking frame as he tried to find a more comfortable position. The chair groaned in protest. "No, not then, of course. Later," Jimmy nodded, "but I remembered it after he said he was going to Egypt that I saw a pyramid in his electrical field.”
     
    Rob's face twisted in thought, his lower lip disappearing into his mouth. His face quickly relaxed when Jimmy's eyes started to narrow belligerently.
     
    “Right, of course," he quickly agreed. "Do you still have the photograph?”
     
    “No," Jimmy shook his head, "but I definitely remember seeing the pyramid. It was as clear to me as you are right in front of me, but in the electrical cloud. Surrounding his head. Hovering right above him.”
     
    Rob nodded in admiration."That's…That was prophetic. Amazing, actually.” Rob smiled. “So Jimmy, when are you coming back to Boydon?”
     
    “I'll be back this way in February," Jimmy answered. "Email me if you want an electrical field reading. I'll even let you get to keep the photo at no extra charge.”
     
    “Thanks a lot, Big Jimmy," Rob said, scooting up on his chair and reaching out to shake Jimmy's hand. "We really appreciate you coming on the show." He grabbed the paperback on the side table and turned back to the camera.
     
    "Don't forget to pick up your copy of Big Jimmy Femoa's Hidden Secrets of Electrical Fields and How They Can Change Your Life in 10 Days or Less . It's a fascinating read, folks. That’s all the time we have this week on Cold Hard Facts, your only local public access show on paranormal activity. We’re off the air for a few weeks and will be on again after Christmas, when we have a very special guest on to discuss their latest Big Foot sightings. This is Rob and Big Jimmy saying good night.”
     
    Rob smiled at the camera and waited for Larry to call it a wrap. He didn't really like the fact that Larry tended to snort or downright laugh during the show, but he was the best cameraman in the studio. Granted, Larry was the only cameraman in the studio, but still the best in Rob's mind.
     
    "Larry?" Rob lifted his hand and squinted against the harsh studio lights.
     
    "He left," Jimmy said.
     
    "Oh, right," Rob said. "Well, thanks for coming, Jimmy." He stuck out his hand and firmly planted his feet on the thin carpet.
     
    Jimmy took Rob's hand and nearly wrenched his arm out of its socket as he pulled himself out of the snug chair. “No problem Rob, always good to be on the show.”
     
    Rob made a concerted effort not to rub his now aching shoulder. “How was business this trip?”
     
    “Not as good as has been in the past," Jimmy answered. "That’s why I am going to swing down through Wyoming and see what I can see.”
     
    Rob nodded. Going around the chairs, he picked up and folded the home-made "Cold Hard Facts" cardboard background logo.
     
    "How are your websites?" Jimmy asked.
     
    "Huh?" Rob looked up. "Oh, well, Cold Hard Coats is doing pretty well. Got a new shipment yesterday, so I'm going to try the new compass coat later, but Cold Hard Facts ," he shook his head, "well, I just can't seem to