The Magician - Continued

____“Now, for this particular trick, I will need a volunteer. Not that Miss Eloise isn’t a capable helper in her own right, but because she will be part of the trick!” Eloise repeated her coy hand-to-mouth gesture, and curtsied genially. “Normally it would be someone from the audience.” At this, the crowd erupted once more, hands flying up in the dire hope of being selected. Alex was no exception, as she stood on the warped wood bench flailing her arm as best she could until Locke raised his arms to quell the commotion. “Thank you all, but as I said, I would normally choose from the audience. Mayor Worsley has the honor tonight, and he’s quite excited for it. So please, a round of applause for Mayor Worsley!”

____While not as enthusiastic as they were moments before, the people of Shepherd clapped and whooped for their beloved Mayor. Worsley took to the stage, soaking in the attention and the bright stage lights as politicians are wont to do.

____“So, Mr. Locke, what is it you need my help with?”
____“Mayor Worsley, what I need you to do is verify that these-!” Eloise wheeled a rack full of swords onto the stage, “are genuine, hand forged rapiers!”

____Bewildered, the crowd whispered sharply, deathly curious to know what they were for and if they were indeed real. Worsley removed one of the blades from its place and inspected it closely. While he was by no means a swordsmith, he knew what to look for in a sharp blade. After flicking the edge with his thumb, he nodded and announced the sword was real. At this, Eloise wheeled out a large wicker basket, like what would be found at a market in India.

____“Ladies and gentlemen, your Mayor has kindly verified that these rapiers are real. Now, for my last trick, Eloise will climb into this wicker basket,” which she was already doing “and with some assistance from your Mayor, I will pierce it with these very swords!” The gasps from the crowd were so sharp and so deep, that it felt as if the air itself had been robbed from the room. “For this trick, I will need absolute silence, so please… do not… make… a sound.”

____Locke closed the lid on Eloise, and grasped the first sword. Setting the tip gently against the edge, Locke thrust the blade into the basket. There was no sound that came from it, just as there was no sound from the audience as Locke picked up the second sword and repeated the motion. He drove the third sword in, plunged the fourth and fifth blades as well, and still no sounds from the basket or audience. With one sword left, Locke motioned for Worsley to come closer, and he placed the sixth sword into the Mayor’s hand. They both carefully positioned it, and on his own, Worsley drove the rapier deep, and a blood curdling scream exploded from the basket!

____The audience shot up to their feet, panic tightening its icy grip on their throats when Locke yelled for calm and Worsley did the same. When the noise was distilled to an ominous murmur, Locke lifted the basket lid as Eloise burst free, nary a scratch on her, the same lovely smile on her face as before. Monstrous applause and excited hoots filled the theater as Locke and lovely Eloise bowed. Mayor Worsley clapped the loudest and thanked the both of them for the truly “Astoundin’” show.

____“That really was something else there Benjamin. Them posters didn’t lie one bit, and I know we’d love it if y’came back this time next year.”
____“I believe that can be arranged Mayor Worsley.”
____“Please, please, call me Charlie, Benjamin. But, listen. Before y’go, I think we’d all like to know exactly how you did what you did, wouldn’t we folks?” The townsfolk gave an agreeing round approval at the idea, though Alex didn’t quite consent.”
____“How I did it?” Locke laughed heartily; playing along with what he believed was a game. ____“No, you should know that a magician doesn’t divulge his secrets, Charlie. It’s simply not how it works.” The smile on Worsley’s face faded slightly.
____“Actually, I don’t know that’s how it works, and frankly that’s kind of the problem. We should be told how you did all this. It’s only fair, and somethin’ of a lie otherwise.”
____“A lie? Charlie, magic is supposed to be mysterious. If I told you how it was done what magic would there be?”
____“I don’t think that’s for you to decide. Now, we want to know how you did this.” A chorus of ‘Yeah’s and ‘It’s only fair’s came from the townsfolk, and any trace of a smile had since faded from Worsley’s face. This was a man who got what he wanted, and Locke began to see that. Not every face in the crowd lit up at the Mayor’s calls for transparency. They were happy with the show, and content to let it stay a mystery, but a silent majority is no match when the minority is so vocal.

____“Okay, I’m lost. You people honestly don’t know that magic is meant to have a layer of secrecy? You can’t seriously be that backwater now can you? Charlie, I-“ Worsley gripped tightly to the lapel of Locke’s tuxedo, his face slightly purpling with anger.
____“Don’t you call me Charlie, and don’t you call us ‘backwater!’ We’re a friendly and welcoming community here, but we do not take kindly to liars, cheats or deceivers.”
____“Dammit, you senseless hick, let go of me!” Locke struggled to get free, but Worsley outmatched him in nearly every physical category.
____“Not until you tell us how you did it, you swindlin’ fraudster!”
____“You let him be!” The shrill burst of noise came from deep in the audience, causing the Mayor to start and ease his grip on Locke. The creaking of warped wood echoed through the hall as people turned to see who dared to speak out against the scuffle and disdainful murmuring.