I am J Russell Mikkelsen and I am more sarcastic than you. Give up.

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The Illusionist Returns part 3 in House o' Crazies: "The Illusionist steps around the table to face us. Arnold slinks behind Tom and me. I turn my face to Tom. I address him audibly, 'You know, we're trained in how to deal with this.'"

Emails to People Who Can't Sell

The Reverse Scam: Attempt 1

ATTENTION SCAM VICTIMS! It has come to my attention that the scam artist Sharon Pears, aka Eva Hobbs, aka Marina Erbe has discovered this website and is now using my name in a sad attempt to discredit me. Don’t worry. I am not trying to steal your money, only entertain you. Below you can read the full and true tail of mockery that has so angered the person attempting to scam you. Enjoy.

I placed an ad, a real ad, for my real home, to replace my real roommates. Most of the responses were serious. Some were not. This is one of the latter.


From: Sharon Pears
Sent: 05/16/11 3:47AM
To: J Russell Mikkelsen

Good day,

I will like to know if the room is still available for rent.

Thanks and hope to read from you soon.

Sharon…

House O' Crazies

The Illusionist Returns part 3 of 3

Read part 1 then part 2 first. Yup, 1 and 2 are both before 3.


The Illusionist steps around the table to face us. Arnold slinks behind Tom and me. I turn my face to Tom. I address him audibly, “You know, we’re trained in how to deal with this.” Tom nods. We position ourselves on either side of The Illusionist. Tom is waiting for my signal. The Illusionist’s parents are looking on from the doorway. I wait. Tom is ready. The parents are watching.

The Illusionist tells us that he doesn’t hurt people, only objects because objects have no value but people do. Silence responds. The Illusionist sits, trying to impress us with his poise.

Arnold, courage returned, sits down at the head of the table, facing The Illusionist. They begin a long conversation about philosophy and probably farts. The dad soon joins them and takes command. Seeing that The Illusionist is still and their conversation is gibberish, Tom and I leave to discuss the situation with the nurse.

In the office, I give a full summary to the nurse. She admits that she has no idea what to do. I tell her that, for the time being, things seem to be okay. We can put one person on guard at the door and direct any other patients away. This leaves us with two co-workers to handle the rest of the wing, but it’s getting late and most patients have gone to bed. It’s the best we can ask for right now. The nurse agrees. Tom volunteers to stand guard.

Tato for Life

Stories From My Life

Dollars and Knives

I stare at my shoes, drink my 7-up and space out. It takes a moment to recognize what I’ve experienced first hand too many times before: they’re being mugged.

I take off my backpack and place my soda on the ground, careful not to spill. Gregg is walking towards me, leaving our friends behind. “Don’t go over there.”

As I run, I assess the situation. Jacob has his wallet out and shows one boy that it is empty of cash. Jacob learned never to carry more than a dollar on him after we were robbed together our freshman year. Sam has his hands in the air like a movie character at gun point. The second boy is searching through Sam’s sports bag that is still hanging across his belly. That is where I head.

I squeeze in, in front of Sam. They are startled. “This ain’t your business. You gotta leave.”

I am 17. My heart is still. Ignorance is bliss. “These are my friends. I’m not going anywhere.”