William P. McGivern

“ The chameleon blends perfectly into the brown and green foliage of its native habitat and even the marvelously keen eyes of its natural enemies are unable to detect its presence. It is not impossible to conceive that the same camouflaging property could develop in a human being. Nature might appreciate the difficulty of a retiring, sensitive person to mingle with his more vivid fellow creatures, and so clothe him with a defensive armor of practical invisibility to insulate him against the attacks of those with stronger personalities. ”

“ Mystiffio had Morry's eyes sticking out inside of thirty seconds. I hadn't told Morry about Horatio. I figured I'd let that angle ride for a while.
But Morry was really impressed.
"The guy is good," he said. "The things he does don't seem humanly possible."
Of course he didn't know that most of the effects were being created by the invisible Horatio but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. And he didn't miss Alice, either. When she came on stage in her cute, abbreviated little costume, he straightened up and opened his eyes.
"The kid is nice," he murmured. ”

“ Everyone has had the experience of meeting a person who makes almost no impression whatsoever on them. People with such anemia of the personality are constantly being forgotten, overlooked even by friends who know them well. Their presence in a room will be unobserved for several minutes and, frequently, such people will be completely ignored, even when they are sitting or standing in plain view. In nature, the chameleon has similar properties but for a definite reason, namely that of defense against its stronger enemies. ”

“ I noticed he put an arm around Alice's shoulders. I was too distraught to think about it.
"Nothing's wrong," I said desperately. "Alice just took offense at something Morry said. Nobody meant any harm."
Mystiffio drew himself up straight and he grabbed Morry by the lapels. Morry struggled to free himself but he was pinioned helplessly.
"You cad! You bounder!" Mystiffio roared. "Do you mean you've been making advances to my daughter?"
Daughter! How do you like that! That just goes to show you never to trust people. ”

“ I said. "You can turn yourself off again. I don't want you to wear out."
"Thanks," Horatio said gratefully. He smiled faintly at Alice. "Pleased to have met you," he said. Then he vanished into the brown background of the chair.
"Get me a drink!" Mystiffio said. He grasped the edge of the desk and stared solemnly at the empty brown chair. "Get me two drinks."
"What is it?" Alice demanded. "How do you do it? Mirrors? Lighting? It's terrific."
"It's completely on the level. Now here's the angle. I'm going to put this guy into your act. Wait'll the crowds get a load of Mystiffio's magic then. ”

“ With Horatio in the background pulling the strings he'll make Thurston look like an amateur parlor entertainer."
Mystiffio turned to me stiffly.
"What," he said frigidly, "makes you think I need an invisible man to help me in my act? I am perfectly capable of astounding and amazing an audience by myself." ”

“ I asked. "Must be a tiring way to go through life."
"You don't know the half of it," the young man said mournfully. "I've only been this way for a few months, but it seems like it's been years."
"Well, go on," I said. "Spill your troubles. Why should Mr. Anthony have all the fun?"
"What?"
"Never mind. Shoot."
"I'm not sure what causes me to fade-out like this. I've been to a half dozen doctors and psychiatrists and they aren't sure either. But it has something to do with personality development, they think. ”

“ The Chameleon Man
By WILLIAM P. McGIVERN
Perfect adaptation, that's what it was. When a human being can blend with his surroundings, funny things can happen!
I've got an office in the Daily Standard building and sometimes when things are slow in my line—theatrical bookings—I drift upstairs and talk to the guy who writes the column, The Soldier's Friend, for the Standard. ”