Just then, Dr. Clowngoggles heard a sharp knock at the door.
He pocketed the Yo-Yo Ray and made his way to the front door. When he opened it, he was greeted by a tall, thin man in a cheap, ill-fitting plaid suit. The man had slicked-back hair, a smarmy grin plastered on his face, and a briefcase clutched in one hand.
“Good afternoon, sir!” the salesman began, his voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. “Are you the head of the household? Of course, you are! I’m here to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase the finest set of encyclopedias ever printed! Imagine the knowledge you’ll gain, the wisdom you’ll possess—all at an unbeatable price!”
Dr. Clowngoggles raised an eyebrow, already feeling annoyed by the man’s pushy demeanor. “I’m afraid I’m not interested in any encyclopedias today, thank you.”
But the salesman was undeterred. He pushed the door open a bit further and leaned in, his grin widening. “Oh, but you haven’t even heard the best part! These encyclopedias are not just any ordinary set—they’re a gateway to a better future! You wouldn’t want to miss out on this opportunity to educate yourself and your family, would you?”
Dr. Clowngoggles sighed, realizing this man wasn’t going to take no for an answer. “Sir, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I’m quite busy at the moment. I really must insist—”
But the salesman cut him off, his tone growing more aggressive. “Busy? Too busy to improve your life? Too busy to invest in your future? Listen, pal, I’ve got a quota to meet, and I’m not leaving until I’ve made a sale. So why don’t you just do yourself a favor and—”
The salesman’s words were abruptly halted as Dr. Clowngoggles’ patience finally wore thin. The scientist’s eyes narrowed behind his rainbow goggles, and a mischievous smile crept onto his face.
“Well then,” Dr. Clowngoggles said, his voice suddenly much calmer, “if you’re so determined to stick around, why don’t you come in for a demonstration? I think I have something that might interest you.”
The salesman hesitated, his greed outweighing his caution. “A demonstration, you say? Sure, why not. But let’s make it quick, okay? I’ve got other houses to hit.”
Dr. Clowngoggles led the man into his laboratory and worked the Yo-Yo Ray into his hands. The salesman looked around the cluttered room with a mix of disdain and curiosity, clearly unimpressed by the eccentric scientist’s workspace.
“So, what is it you wanted to show me?” the salesman asked, still eyeing the room warily.
“Oh, just a little device I’ve been working on,” Dr. Clowngoggles replied casually, aiming the Yo-Yo Ray. “It’s a fascinating piece of technology, really. It has the ability to make adjustments… to one’s age.”
The salesman laughed, a harsh, grating sound. “Adjustments to one’s age? What, like a time machine? Give me a break, buddy.”
Dr. Clowngoggles’ smile didn’t falter. “Not quite a time machine, but something similar. Would you care to see it in action?”
“Sure, sure, whatever,” the salesman said dismissively. “Just hurry up, will ya?”
With a flick of his wrist, Dr. Clowngoggles aimed the Yo-Yo Ray at the salesman and pressed the button. The lens glowed bright blue, and a beam of light shot out, enveloping the man in its shimmering radiance.
The salesman barely had time to register what was happening before he felt a strange tingling sensation spreading through his body. “Hey! What the—” he started, but his voice cracked mid-sentence, pitching higher and higher as the transformation took hold.
His tall, lanky frame began to shrink rapidly, his limbs growing shorter and more slender. The cheap suit that had once fit him poorly now hung off his body like oversized pajamas. His legs wobbled as they shortened, forcing him to stumble back, his briefcase falling to the floor with a thud.
“What’s happening to me?!” the salesman squealed, his voice now that of a frightened child. His hands, once long and bony, became small and pudgy, the fingers barely able to grasp the lapels of his oversized jacket.
The salesman’s face, once marked with lines of stress and age, smoothed out, the wrinkles disappearing as his features softened into the round, innocent face of a nine-year-old boy with greasy slicked-back hair. His eyes widened in fear and confusion.
“No! Stop it! I don’t want to be a kid again!” the boy cried, his tiny feet now lost in the cavernous shoes that had once fit him perfectly. He looked down at his shrunken body, tears welling up in his big, round eyes. “Please, mister! Turn me back! I’m sorry for being pushy! I’ll leave, I promise!”
Dr. Clowngoggles, now towering over the young boy, looked down with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. “Ah, but perhaps this is exactly what you need—a fresh start, so to speak. A chance to learn some manners, yes?”
The boy sniffled, his lower lip trembling as he looked up at the scientist. “I… I’ll be good! I promise! Please don’t leave me like this…”