Hilly’s Disappearing Act

The Tommyknockers

This thread traces Hilly Brown’s desire to become a great magician, the invention that takes David away, and the guilt that leaves Hilly unconscious.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Restless Childhood A Restless Childhood from "The Tommyknockers". A Restless Childhood A child in motion Hilly Brown’s nervous energy and quick intelligence repeatedly lead him into trouble.

A Restless Childhood from "The Tommyknockers". A Restless Childhood A child in motion Hilly Brown’s nervous energy and quick intelligence repeatedly lead him into trouble.

A Restless Childhood A child in motion Hilly Brown’s nervous energy and quick intelligence repeatedly lead him into trouble. His family learns to expect bursts of intense interest followed by abrupt changes of direction. An appetite for wonder Hilly experiences the world as a place full of mysteries. He wants not merely to impress his family but to produce the astonishment of genuine magic.

The First Magic Show The First Magic Show from "The Tommyknockers". The First Magic Show Practice and effort Hilly works hard to master tricks from his magic set.

The First Magic Show from "The Tommyknockers". The First Magic Show Practice and effort Hilly works hard to master tricks from his magic set.

The First Magic Show Practice and effort Hilly works hard to master tricks from his magic set. His first performance earns honest applause, but he understands that it has not made him truly great. Pride and disappointment The distinction between competence and wonder hurts him. He puts the set aside, unable to treat the performance as a satisfying hobby.

The Machine of His Dreams The Machine of His Dreams from "The Tommyknockers". The Machine of His Dreams A new invention Under the alien influence, Hilly finds it easy to assemble a device that makes objects disappear and return.

The Machine of His Dreams from "The Tommyknockers". The Machine of His Dreams A new invention Under the alien influence, Hilly finds it easy to assemble a device that makes objects disappear and return.

The Machine of His Dreams A new invention Under the alien influence, Hilly finds it easy to assemble a device that makes objects disappear and return. He sees it as a way to surpass conventional tricks. An untested power The device works, but Hilly has not discovered where its subjects go or whether living things can return. His confidence grows faster than his understanding.

The Missing Brother The Missing Brother from "The Tommyknockers". The Missing Brother A fatal finale During his second show, Hilly makes David disappear. The child had begged not to take part, but Hilly insisted.

The Missing Brother from "The Tommyknockers". The Missing Brother A fatal finale During his second show, Hilly makes David disappear. The child had begged not to take part, but Hilly insisted.

The Missing Brother A fatal finale During his second show, Hilly makes David disappear. The child had begged not to take part, but Hilly insisted. The trick cannot be undone When David fails to reappear, Hilly panics and blames himself. His parents and audience leave without understanding what has happened.

A Brother Returns A Brother Returns from "The Tommyknockers". A Brother Returns Hilly’s suspended life In hospital, Hilly remains in a sleep-like state, while Ev struggles to convince others that David still lives.

A Brother Returns from "The Tommyknockers". A Brother Returns Hilly’s suspended life In hospital, Hilly remains in a sleep-like state, while Ev struggles to convince others that David still lives.

A Brother Returns Hilly’s suspended life In hospital, Hilly remains in a sleep-like state, while Ev struggles to convince others that David still lives. The missing child becomes both family grief and a question of the town’s alien power. Reunion without explanation After Gardener’s intervention, David appears in Hilly’s bed. The brothers resume their affection before either can understand the impossible route by which David returned.

1978–1987

July 10, 1988

Early July 1988

July 17, 1988

August 19, 1988