| ‘Lemme get this straight. Your name is Mystro. You claim to be a magician? Pull
rabbits out of a cat. Saw a girl in half. Move objects from one place to another.
Tell what object I’ve got in my hand while wearing a blindfold. Always pull a
decent poker hand.’
‘Yes sir, and I am the best in the world.’
The only one in the world. Look, bud, I can pull anyone off the street who
can do the same thing. Hell, I can do all of that as well. Name me someone out
there who isn’t a telepath or can’t teleport these days? Music hall novelty
acts died out a couple centuries ago. No mystery anymore.
‘But, sir, I am the best in the world.’
‘Not in this world, bud. Look at you. Anyone would think you were off to a
funeral in that get up. An’ what’s that in your coat. Lemme ‘port it out. Birds
for Chris’ sake.’
‘They are doves, sir, the best trained in the world.’
‘Do the animal protection league know about you? Got a cage I can ‘port them
into? Ah! Where’d you have that then? Down your pants? Hope you’re wearing a
good deodorant, bud, I’d hate to see them birds suffer.
‘No animals are hurt...
‘...I know, in the best act in the world. You really gotta develop that patter
of yours. Like that old geek, David Blaine.’
‘He was boringly monotone when he spoke. The best magicians in the world let
their magic speak for them.’
‘That a fact? You’re not doing much to convince me of anything. Is there something
you can do that I can’t?’
‘I’ve been thinking about that. I have one very special trick. I can rob you
of your powers and you forget you ever had them.’
‘Gettaway.’
‘Look into my eye. Now look at this flame from this convenient candle I have
here in my hand. Your eyelids feel really heavy. You are falling into a deep
sleep. When I count to three, all you will hear and obey is my voice. One. Two.
Three. Can you hear me?’
‘Sure.’
‘Listen carefully. When I tell you to waken you will no longer be able to
teleport, read minds or move things without using your hands. Until I tell you
otherwise, you will have none of your powers. Do you understand?’
‘Sure.’
‘When I snap my fingers you will awaken. You will also spread the word that
Mystro is the best magician in the world. Please repeat.’
‘Mystro is the best magician in the world.’
‘Good. Time to wake up.’
‘Didn’t think you could hypnotise me.’
‘That’s right, sir. Who am I?
‘Mystro, the best magician in the world.’
‘And would you like to perform one of my tricks for me? Why don’t you release
my doves from their cage.’
‘Can’t I do that another day?’
‘But you can’t do it today?’
‘What am I? Some sorta magician?’
‘Not when you’re next to the best magician in the world.’
Geoff Willmetts
(c) GF Willmetts 2004. All rights reserved. |
