Once again, John entered into a hypnotic trance.
"What is your name?"
"John"
"I am your master. You will obey me. You will obey my commands. Do you understand?"
"Yes master"
"Stand still."
The hypnotist reached into his bag and pulled out a headband with fake tiger ears, a belt with a fake tiger tail attached to it, and a Sharpie. He took the pen and colored the man's nose black, and added some whiskers to his face. He then put the tiger ears on the man's head and wrapped the belt around the man's waist. Thinking carefully, he dug around in the bag and pulled out two knee pads, which he quickly put on John.
"Nothing is wrong. This is nothing wrong with your appearance. You will not notice any of my changes. You are only human. Do you have a tail on?"
"No, master."
"Very good John. Let's talk to the tiger. Can you hear me Shasta?"
"Yes master"
"Good tiger. You do not have a costume on. You are a tiger. You don't need costumes."
He poked the man's nose. "This is your nose, and these are your whiskers. You will trust your nose. It helps you find prey"
He straightened the cat ears. "These are your ears. You can hear much better with them. They are a part of you. Listen with them"
Finally, he flicked the fake tail. "This is your tail. You love to flick it back and forth. It signifies how much of a tiger you are."
Remembering the knee pads, he said "You walk on all fours. It is much more comfortable than walking on two. You are a tiger, so you walk on all fours."
"Are you wearing anything?"
"No, master"
"Very good. You will spend the remainder of your time at the circus as a tiger. You will not attempt to leave the circus until the main show is over. You will be a tiger for the remainder of the day. Do you understand?"
"Yes master."
He pointed at John's family. "The people I am pointing at are your owners know. You are not related to them. You are their pet. You will accompany them during their stay here. Do you understand?"
"Yes, master."
"You will come see me after the main show. Until then, you will be a tiger. After the main show, I will hypnotize you again, and you will obey me. Do you understand?"
"Yes, master."
"When I snap my fingers, you will wake up, and remember none of this."
And once again, Mesmero snapped his fingers.