#2 Baker's Test

[Anomaly walking down the street of a town with her head bent low, her hair and head shielded by the hood of her cloak. Those who pass by briefly look her way and then quickly turn away. Some crossing her path, turn to walk away, while others will cross the street away from her. Some children will stare at her until her their parents chide them. Anomaly continues on her way smirking to herself as each person averts themselves away from her. On the main road she enters upon the store front of a bakery. A very large rotund man peers through the crowd holding onto the scruff of a young boys neck, while a few others stand among themselves vigorously discussing something. The rotund man spots Anomaly and calls out to her .]

Rölf: “You have come! Come, come, come closer I am in need of your services. They say you are a truth teller and possible can read the minds of many by simply looking them in they eye. Many have claimed that you have your skills in disputes always knowing the truth and sometimes more. Are you not this person?”

ANOMALY:[She looks him square in the eye and notices her different colored eyes and takes a step back. She smirks in response]. “So they say. I seem to have my skills.”

Rölf: “Well, well then… I have here [pulls the young boy in his hand forward towards Anomaly. The boy refuses to look her in the eye.] this boy. Look up at her boy. You can’t hide your mistake now. This boy has stolen from my store, but he claims he is innocent. Now you know the high price better than I and I’d rather not mistreat this boy if he is telling the truth. Yet, these men here have said they have seen him take from me while my back was turned. What say you, truth teller?

ANOMALY: “Whatever your witnesses say will be truth, and in his own way the boy is telling the truth.”

Rölf: “How can both be right?”

ANOMALY: “Simple, the liar isn’t any of them. It’s you” [Incredulous looks on crowds face]. You paid for the boy to steal from you. Now that you’ve tested my abilities, will you pay me or not?”

Rölf: [chuckles] “Ah, you are a good one and have solved my puzzle! It is true that I paid the boy and now he and you will get your dues. I think you and I will get along right fine! For now, let me buy you a beer for my little trick.”

[Anomaly and Rolf depart from the crowd and the crowd drifts away some in amazement and others in discomfort]