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The Jacques Romano story – Dr Berthold Eric Schwartz

Romano once recalled an amusing incident at this time in his life.

‘When I had been in the United States only a short time, I really did not know much English. While working for Moreno and Lopez, the photographers, I hypnotized many of the Spanish and French-speaking people in the building.

There was an Irishman, Mike, who swept the studio; he asked me to hypnotize him. I told him to look me in the eyes and sleep. After a short while, I said, 'Now Mike, finished; get up!' Mike got up. I was a little surprised and said, 'Sit down.' However, he got up again when I said 'Get up.' It was a difficult situation because I did not know how to say 'Wake up.' I snapped my fingers hoping he would wake up, but instead he got up and started to climb the wall. In my exasperation I ran out into the street and found a friend to interpret for me so that I could finally wake up Mike. After that incident I made up my mind never to hypnotize until I knew how to speak English."