Dearest all,

Those who take me up on this challenge should take a moment to study the following list:

It is a list of words but by no means is it a random list. It won't take long before you realise where these words come from.

My challenge is for you to write a short story (or poem, if you think you can manage it) about Derren and/or any of his performances and/or the forum using each of these words in the order they appear. Obviously, you may use as many other words as you wish inbetween each listed word.

Please note, you may only use the words in the list once (so no mentioning an earlier word later on in your story), and you may only use them in the order they appear. You should also embolden the listed words so that we can appreciate how you've fit them into your story. Be as creative as you will, but please keep it reasonably clean.

Have fun,
Stephen

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Here's mine. It's more of a stream of consciousness thing really:

Once upon a time there was a handsome young man called Derren Brown. He liked to influence those around him, especially females, with his incredible mind skills. Now he is famous he has admitted he used to influence said females into bed, which is quite remarkable as i don't think he'd have to influence me or many other people at all - we'd be there in a shot. This developed into hoodwinking skills (misleading or confusing someone by trickery) which have been incredibly influential on people. I have not yet mentioned Derren's glorious goatee, which has become a slight tradmark of his, and along with his unprecendented work, we love him for it. Those who have average susceptibility can be 'hypnotised' in some of Derrens spectacular tricks. Because of these tricks us on the forum have developed a slight obsession with this fantasically groomed specimen of the male species.

After his tour some items were auctioned off, and the lucky winners have hopefully guarded the items and treated them as something monumental, and will be influenced to go and see him on tour again. For some inexplicably stupid reason this story has been sidetracked however it will get back on track when i mention Russian Roulette and how people thought it was outrageous. Luckily the bullet did not get embedded into his head, and it proved to be a breathtaking performance. This masterminding genius is truly extraordinary and heavily influential on people who want to be influenced. I'm sure he will ruthlessly risk his life for a damsel in distress, and long may his astonishing shows and performances continue, and when it does come to an end it will be done triumphantly. Although i will make a suggestion that i hope it doesnt end.

I influence. I am incredible. I, repeatedly influence. I am remarkable. I am also talented at hoodwinking. I am, just in case you didn't get it the first time, influential.

My mum say's I'm glorious. My dad say's I am unprecedented.

I use susceptibility. My clothes are spectacular. I am an object of obsession. I say 'fantastic' fantastically. My performances are monumental. (behave!).

Hang on, just checking my spelling.influenced.

I can also spell inexplicably.

Please don't think that is outrageous. I have now embedded the breathtaking and wonderful masterpiece that includes depiction's of me incredibly apparently performing the impossible and profoundly breathtaking task of masterminding the extraordinary.

And, true to form, influential assignment of ruthlessly giving away the plotline of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince . Astonishing everyone reading by apparantly predicting the ending and declaring triumphantly that the whole thing was just a dream.

Just a suggestion?!

db
x

It had become clear that I was now hopelessly under his influence as I set off on the journey to our nation's capital to see the bearded one's incredible show for the second time in as many months, I use the word influence as it would seem remarkable to those who know me that I would voluntarily drive into the heart of congestion and hoodwinking that is London, without strong coercion, although were this had come from it was unclear, it is hard to imagine how influential a person could be when viewed only through a television. Though I had not entirely ruled out the idea of subliminal messages in the series preceding the tours, in an attempt to increase ticket sales and Derren's subsequent, and I can only assume, glorious pay packets.

London was unprecedented in its complete predictability that evening and it was not long before I was completely lost and screaming at my hapless passenger for directions. Fortunately my passenger's susceptibility to anger and raised blood pressure was minimal and we were able to arrive at the spectacular Cambridge Theatre with no fatalities and only slight bruising and contusions. As my passenger didn't share my obsession for the master of showmanship and psychological illusion I gave her a gentle nudge in the direction of Leicester Square, with enough money in her pocket for popcorn and made my way inside the theatre.

Due to the unfathomable London road system I had managed to arrive at the theatre fantastically late and to add insult to injury was led to my seat in full view of the rest of the audience. Luckily I quickly learned that Derren had only just begun his monumental performance as King Lear, a mistake he quickly rectified and the original "Something Wicked this way comes" show began. To show noone had been previously influenced Derren began to toss his monkey over the audience, it was now clear why there was a parental warning on the tickets. Inexplicably the monkey resolutely refused to come anywhere near me so I was left to enjoy the complete terror of the people who were chosen to go up on stage, from the safety of my plushly upholstered seat. As the show progressed the tricks became more and more outrageous, leading nicely into the second half where Derren preceded to hammer a nail into to his nose, subsequently ruining any future pleasure of listening to Beethoven's 5th piano concerto. From my vantage point it was clear to see that the nail was deeply embedded in his nose, although I wouldn't like to rule out the possible use of a stunt nose. As the performance continued the effects became increasingly breathtaking, at one point in Derren's case quite literally. At times it was like viewing the classic TV programme "Masterpiece theatre", it truly was incredibly entertaining. It would be almost impossible to choose one trick from another as the most enjoyable, the show become even more breathtaking for seeing it for a second time. As I sat waiting for the crowds to disperse and leave the theatre I could only ponder as to the creative genius that clearly went into masterminding such a wonderful show, and the extraordinary ability of Derren as a performer. As I left the theatre it was clear that Derren has been influential to many others as well, as I saw a large cue waiting ruthlessly by the stage door for Derren to emerge. It goes without saying that I quickly joined the end, and hurriedly tried to concoct something witty and memorable to say, which I of course failed miserably at. It really was astonishing to imagine that Derren faced such a large crowd of fans every night but still managed to be polite and courteous to each of them, and not be triumphantly smug after his spectacular performance.

Travelling home after a lovely unintentional tour of the tourist sights of London I thought to myself that after seeing the show for the second time, I look forward to being a willing recipient to any thinly veiled suggestion to buy tickets for the next tour, which may or may not be planted in the eagerly awaited new series.