George and Martha: "The Hypnotist"

"Tons of Fun" experiments with pacing.

We have a story that seems finished--and then we get a surprise sequel.

"The Sweet Tooth" has George eating too much candy. Martha demands that he stop--through silly means--and George obeys. We think we're done.

Next: "The Photograph"--completely unrelated--has Martha wrongly falling in love with a clearly absurd photo of herself.

Then: "The Hypnotist" seems to be its own thing. George puts Martha under a spell. Where could this story go? Aha! George was using the hypnosis trick just so he could sneak back to the cookie jar. We are reading a continuation of "The Sweet Tooth"! Martha wakes up. Drama ensues.

Good writing should startle you--and there you have it. Marshall finds a way to be "surprising but inevitable." The shocking sequel is also an example of an artist/writer growing and becoming more ambitious--taking greater risks--as time goes on.

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