Cyclops

Cyclops.

Frankie Hope was never one to hide his light under a bush, in fact he was the original know-it-all, or so he thought.
He once read a book on Clairvoyance in which the mystical third eye was mentioned, it was supposedly in the centre of the forehead just above the bridge of the nose, and was said to give a person an insight into most things.
While it was true that Frankie read a great deal, in essence he could not be considered knowledgeable. With him it was a text case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing.

When in company his most annoying habit was breaking into other people’s conversations, no matter the topic.
"Och aye he would remark I knew that. Or perhaps it would be "yeah, well, that was pretty obvious from the start".
Just two of his most annoying remarks.

One night his friends decided to teach him a lesson.
The following week the pub was holding a quiz night, and Frankie was asked if he would like to join the team?.
"We could sure use someone with your unlimited knowledge he was told, how come you know so much Frankie"?

"It's just one of those things he replied, you either have it or you don’t. You’ve herd the old saying of three eyes being better than two he said, harping back to the third eye scenario.

"Don’t you mean two heads being better than one Frankie, Alex Burke asked"? The others just smiled.

"Tell you what Frankie, Alex burke said". I'll call at your house on Friday night and we’ll go along to the quiz together.”

"Good man Frankie beamed, you won't regret it".

When Alex Burke arrived at the flat the door was lying wide open,he knocked and waited for someone to answer, out of courtsay.

It was Francie’s mother who answered the door, she was dressed and ready to go out.
"Hello Mrs Hope Alex greeted her, is Frankie in?

"Hi Alex she said smiling, the lazy buggers fast asleep on the settee, would you like me to wake him?

"No that’s all right he said smiling, I'll surprise him; you get away out and enjoy yourself."

In the living room Alex Burke stood quietly behind the settee and watched Frankie lying on the couch fast asleep, the situation was perfect for what he had in mind. It was a spur of the moment idea.
It was all he could do to stop from laughing out loud, at the thought of what he was about to do.
And in his minds eye he could already visualise it.

In the inside pocket of his jacket was a small plastic wallet that contained half a dozen transfers that he had bought for his nephew, a couple of days earlier. One in particular had given him the idea.

Frankie lay face up on the settee snoring quietly, a thin sheen of sweat covering his forehead.

Reaching into his jacket pocket Alex Burke removed the plastic wallet and carefully removed the transfer, then leant over Frankie's prostrate form.

He carefully laid it on the centre of Frankies forehead while taking care not to waken him, he pressed down lightly and then taking hold of one corner he peeled it off.

A moment later Frankie stirred and opened his eyes, rubbing the sleep from them he greeted Alex and got to his feet.
“Sorry he said, I didn’t hear you come in”.

"Your mum let me in on her way out Frankie, now if you’re ready we had better get going, were running a wee bit late and will have to get a move on, if you want a drink or two before the quiz starts.

They headed downstairs and out into the street, "how are you feeling Frankie Alex Burke asked, hope you’re on top form"?

Frankie smiled and nodded, "I’ve been reading up on all sorts of things since the beginning of the week he said proudly.
"I’m ready for anything they throw at us he beamed, our team shouldn’t have any problems".

As the two men walked towards the pub, Frankie Hope was so engrossed with trying to impress Alex Burke with all of his newly acquired knowledge, that he failed to notice the wry smiles and curious stares of the passers by, at the bright red transfer of an eye, stuck slap bang in the middle of his forehead.

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