The Invisibility Cap

/ roughwighting
Patryk Piecuch, cap of invisibility, invisible, fantasy, flash fiction

Cap of Invisibility.

Dr. Rufus promised me that the invisibility cap works for two hours before needing to be re-charged.

Of course, charging the cap is not an easy feat. Just as the professor taught me, I begin with 22 chants, then spread a special lavender-speckled shawl over it, then enact a strange spirit dance for 33 steps.

The first time I used the I.C. – Rufus’ nickname for the invisible cap – it worked wonders. I snuck into the professor’s class on “Mysticism and Magic” and tickled Joanie Mathew’s elbow, then blew in Tommy Thomas’s ear. Tommy started to smile softly, as if he was thinking of something sexy.

I hoped his thought didn’t include me, because as often as he’s asked me out, I’ve declined.

My love is beyond my possibilities.

Dr. Rufas didn’t ascertain that I was in his class either. He would have blinked if he did, and given invisible me a frown. But he continued his lecture, and I skipped out of his room.

I passed the I.C. test.

spirit dance, dancing, Melanie Bourne, flash fiction

Spirit Of The Dance by Melanie Bourne.

This morning I charge the cap again – a 44-minute process with the dance steps – and now am sitting on my favorite turquoise bench. It’s hard and cold, but I love having it all to myself. With the cap on, I can watch passers-by in front of the university, and they have no idea I’m there. I don’t even know why I brought a prop – a book titled Levitating on a Celestial Plane. I’m wearing my favorite black and white checkered skirt and black turtle neck. A white flannel scarf and long black gloves keep me from shivering in the spring air.

But despite my invisibility, students are shooting strange looks my way.

Tommy Thomas, studying for his Ph.D. in magical realism, just stopped in front of me as if puzzled…and shocked. He can’t see me. What’s he thinking about?

Ingrid Berenson, the Swedish wunderkind on psychic phenomenon, actually giggled when she passed, muttering, “Hocus Pocus, you’re a doofus.”

I hold on to my book like an anchor. Dr. Rufus is approaching this end of the quad. Great – another way to test the I.C.

flash fiction, fantasy, iinvisibleBut he begins to run right toward me, stops in front of my invisible self, and shouts, “You only charged I.C. half way. You must not have danced all 33 steps!”       

I stick my tongue out at him. He doesn’t react, so he must not really see me.

“How do you know I’m here? “ I whisper.

“Oh dear God,” he responds. “I’ve always loved you in that skirt. Now, take I.C. off and go home. You’re embarrassing yourself.”

I hurl the cap off my head and pout.

But truly, I’m ecstatic.

The Professor loves me in this skirt!

I walk the rest of the way home with a visibly joyful grin.

119 thoughts on “The Invisibility Cap”

    • Pinterest gets the credit for the phabulous photo of the invisible (well, not quite) woman. The photo inspired me to write her story. I better see the movie you and others mention: The Invisible Man…!

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Pamela, I love your story and how your magic turned out.
    The photo is quite hilarious and pretty at the same time. And you found out that Dr Rufus loved you….in that skirt.😊🦋 .
    Like Ben I followed with pleasure ” The Invisible Man”.

    miriam

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    • I feel the same way about the photo (from Pinterest). As soon as I saw it, I had to write the (almost) invisible woman’s story. Now, I need to find that movie, The Invisible Man!

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    • I LOVE being unpredictable, Kathy. I suppose that’s why my stories are. But I must come clean – I had NO idea how this one was going to end until Dr. Rufus discovered his student’s, ummm, I.C. blunder. 🙂

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    • I wish I could thank the person who produced that wonderful photo prompt. Spurred on my imagination, for sure. Happy Memorial Day weekend, Amy. Enjoy those NJ flowers that thrive by the sea. BTW, we plant a Mandeville this time every year also. Climbs up our garage trellis. Love ’em. ❤

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  20. Love those 33 steps you created Pam! Only creative minds can do wonders with a picture like that! Loved that magical IC…may remind of the Invisible Man but is so different and thrilling! 🙂

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    • Interestingly, Balroop. H.G. Wells (who wrote The Invisible Man) was my first author-love. In other words, I discovered H.G. Wells when I was in middle school and wanted to write JUST like him. Hmmm, perhaps his muse is showing up for me now when I write some of my stories. 🙂

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  24. Pam, I just didn’t want this to end! 😀 I was hooked from the start and had no idea where you were going with it. Full of gentle magic, hint of romance and I was smiling at the revelation she was only half invisible … and then discovered tha t Dr. Rufus did like her! Wonderful! The image is a dream of a prompt … Happy Writing, my friend! You’re inspired and inspiring with this! Xx

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  36. What a cool and magical story, Pam! Love it! The photo you picked is really awesome and I can see how triggered you into writing this story. Invisibility is one of those superpowers many seem to dream of, I for one envied Harry Potter for his cloak. 😉

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    • You and I both, Sarah. I think that part of the Potter story filled me with imagination the most – walking wherever I wanted with an invisibility cloak on. Perhaps that’s why this very imaginative prompt caught my attention, with the cloak (or in my story, cap) not working all the way. ;-0

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  37. Love the IC, Pam. Creativity at work here. Adored these lines: “Tommy started to smile softly, as if he was thinking of something sexy. I hoped his thought didn’t include me, because as often as he’s asked me out, I’ve declined.” 🙂 🙂

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    • I don’t know about you, Jacqui, but I can never plot out a twisty tale. I need to just write and let the twists come what may. I loved the ending of this invisibility story (and take no credit for it; Dr. Rufus’ student just led me there). ❤

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  44. What a tale and a photo to match this far out funny thriller. I really do not know what to call this type of writing but it is really entertaining.

    I have not been getting any notices of any of the blogs that I follow. I finally realized that today, Now I need to try to determine what happened. I went to my notifications to find your blog name.

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    • I get so frustrated when this happens, Yvonne. Suddenly, a blog notice disappears. Several people have told me that they had to re-sign up for my blog. Glad you’re here now – always love hearing form you. And I don’t know what to call this invisibility story either, but I’ve never been one to care about genre categories. I just like a good story. ❤

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    • Thank you Andrea. So glad you enjoyed my story about Dr. Rufus and his rather irascible student. I think I’ll have to go back to them soon and see what other mischief they’re making. 🙂

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  47. At first, I thought this was metaphorical for an afternoon in your own life, perhaps revisiting your own college campus and feeling invisible. NOPE!

    And so, you’ve doubly achieved the goal of flash fiction. Kudos!

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    • Haha. I guess I’m lucky that I never felt invisible when in college, and in fact, by my senior year had beers with my professors at the local pub. On the other hand, there were times during those college years that I wished I DID own an invisibility cap, for sure. 🙂

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      • My experience was very similar. Even 25+ years later here, I’m still in touch with a couple of my professors from college. And yet, overall, I also wished I had an IC squirreled away.

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