And in the store we were, and for the first time in my life I was con- fronted with a staircase which moved by itself. First I stared at it, thinking this in itself was an exhibition piece ; but when I saw people step on it and be moved upwards in front of my very eyes, I got an uncomfortable feeling, as though I were witnessing witchcraft. When invited however, to take the fatal step myself, I most vigorously declined. Meanwhile, a number of people had gathered behind us. We were obviously blocking traffic.