Paying attention?

In this perfect moment, take a deep breath, and relax. Now, imagine yourself in the grocery store, picking out apples. Out of nowhere, a young boy walks right up to you, calls you by name, and says, "You're under hypnosis, you know? Nothing ominous, but you are under hypnosis." He looks at you, and says, "You've left yourself triggers, to snap you out of it. Pay attention, ok? OK. See you around."

He walks off, just as calmly as he walked up to you, and when your wits return to you, you chase him down. You can see him the whole time, but when you tap him on the shoulder, it's not him. It's some other boy. You say, "I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else." Then all of a sudden, there's a commotion near the front of the store. Before you can wrap your mind around what just happened, people are yelling and running, some are frozen, where they stand.

A couple, in front of you, move off and you can suddenly see what's going on. Somehow, a deer has gotten into the store. You can hear its hooves slacking on the linoleum, as you lose sight of it again. Wanting to get closer, you push yourself past the other gawkers, and come up, abruptly, face to face, with it. Clearly as surprised as you are, the dear makes no move, takes no breath, and you realize, you've been holding yours too.

For, what seems like an eternity, the two of you regard recharge other, and the whole store is silent. You are so close, you can feel its breath on you, see all the little muscles around its eyes. In that moment, you can feel a tug on your shirt sleeve. Not wanting to look down, you say, through your teeth, "Yes?" A familiar voice asks, "Are you paying attention?"

Snapped out of your reverie, you look down, and he repeats, "Are you paying attention?" Then he just looks at you, as if you are old pals, and says, "I'd say this qualifies as a sign, wouldn't you?" This is all so strange, but you nod your head, and he motions for you to bring your head down to his level. When you do, he grins, says, "Alright, you get the idea. I think I'm done here. Remember, pay attention." Flashing you a smile, he gives you a gentle little slap on your forehead, and just as you are about to cry foul, you find yourself, standing in front of the apples.

Looking around, there is no sign of commotion. No deer in the front entrance area. No little boy. You look for a bit, but you know, somehow, that you are not going to find him. Standing in the checkout line, you're still reeling, a little, but you can hear the boy, telling you to pay attention. In that moment, you can hear a voice, nearby, asking someone, "You really didn't see all the commotion earlier? There was a deer, just walked right through the front door. Strangest thing...I swear I saw it. Oh well, maybe I'm delusional, after pulling a double shift." In that moment, you can hear the boy, in your thoughts, say, "I'd say this qualifies as a sign, wouldn't you?"