Readme

It didn't start with any fanfare: there weren't any rainbows coming out of his ears -- nothing peculiar, and nothing you would bother capturing on camera. But, what did happen was far more subtle.

It began with an inkling, like all of us get from time to time -- a gut feeling: something we struggle to put into words. But in Eckart this inkling grew, and suddenly became words, mental words, forming a clear coherent sentence: Peggy is having an affair. There was no question about it, this wasn't a hunch, it wasn't a suspicion: Eckart had read Peggy's mind.

Feeling uncomfortable, Eckart shook his head vigorously, trying to dispel another revelation about Peggy: she had stolen that bright pink baseball cap sitting on her head...

Eckart shifted his attention to the barman, leaving Peggy outside his line of sight. But here too the thoughts came in swift staccato: the barman had lied on his tax returns ... he was running a small operation selling weed ... at age 19 he'd changed his name from Bertrand to Olly ...

Feeling awed, Eckart closed his eyes and drew his awareness inside his own mind, reflecting on his new ability. He thought of all the things he could do and the extraordinary advantage his powers would give him. But he also considered how dangerous reading minds might be, and worse still how shameful it would be if he abused it.

Resolving to use his abilities for good, Eckart opened his eyes and caught sight of Peggy again. Thankfully, this time he found he could close his mind off from hers.

Taking a deep breath, Eckart stood up, walked towards the exit, and went out into the World.