Chapter Sixty-One
Charles was wearing a skintight black bodysuit and thigh-high patent leather boots. He had a simple diamond earring and a gold nose stud. He stared contemptuously at the audience. He did this for several uncomfortable moments, his eyes full of hatred and disdain for every case he encountered. At least twice, I thought that he looked directly at Jamilla and me. So did she. "Yeah, we're watching you too, a*shole,' she said, raising her beer in mock salute.'You think those two pitiful creeps know we're here?' 'Who knows? They're good at this. They haven't been caught yet.' 'I hear you. Hopefully, they both have stomach cancer and will die slowly and painfully over the next few months. Cheers,' she raised her bottle again. Charles leaned down and spoke to a college-age couple at a table near the stage. He was miked. 'What are you two airheads staring at? Watch out, or I'll turn you into a couple of toads. Upgrade you on the food chain.' He laughed, and it was deep and throaty. To my ear, it was also unnecessarily unpleasant, way over the top. The kids in the audience laughed and cheered him on. Civility seems to be dead. Nasty is chic; nasty is so cool and real. I looked over at Jamilla.'He sees them as food. Interesting how his twisted mind works.' The second magician sauntered onto the stage a couple of minutes later. No magic gimmicks to announce the entrance, which surprised
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JAA/IES PATTERSON
me. I had heard this was a real light-and-sound show, but not tonight. Why the style change? Was this for us? Did they know who we were? Tor the uninitiated, I'm Daniel. Charles and I have been doing magic shows since we were twelve years old and living in San Diego, California. We're very good at magic. We can do the "Vanishing Performer" - Houdini's personal favorite; the "Sword Cabinet"; Carl Hertz's "Merry Widow"; DeHolta's "Cocoon". I can catch a bullet fired from a Colt Magnum in my teeth. So can Charles. Aren't we special? Don't you wish you were us?' The crowd howled and cheered. The rock music from the speakers had been lowered some. Only the beat droned on. 'The illusion you are about to witness is the same one "Harry" Robert Houdini used to close his show in Paris and New York. We're using it to open our show. Need I say more?' The lights suddenly flashed off. The stage was in total darkness. A few women in the audience screeched loudly. Mock fear. Mostly there was laughter, some of it nervous. What were these two up to? Jamilla nudged me with an elbow.'Don't be scared. I'm right here. I'll protect you.' 'I'll remember that.' Tiny pinpricks of light appeared everywhere on the stage. The main spots came on again. Nothing happened for the next minute or so. Then Daniel, riding a spirited, prancing white stallion, came out onto the stage. He was dressed in royal blue glitter from head to toe. He wore a matching top hat, and he tipped it to the cheering audience. 'I must admit this is pretty cool,' Jamilla said. 'Quite the stunt. So visual. Now what?' Daniel was followed onstage by eight men and women in crisp, white palace uniforms. And - two white tigers. It was a pretty amazing spectacle. Two female performers in white held up a huge Oriental fan in front of Daniel and his high-stepping horse. My eyes were glued to the stage. 'Jesus,'Jamilla muttered.'What the hell is this?'
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VIOLETS ARE BLUE
The/re ripping off "Hairy" Robert Houdini, like the man said. And the/re doing it well.' When they slowly pulled the Oriental fan away, Daniel was gone. Now Charles was seated on the white horse. 'Once again - Jesus,' said Jam. 'How do they do that?' Somehow, Charles had changed into black trash and glitter. The smirk on his face was totally, incredibly arrogant. It showed utter disdain for the audience, but they seemed to love it, to love him. A puff of smoke, and the audience gasped as one. Daniel was back onstage, standing alongside Charles and the spirited horse. The illusion was masterful. Everyone in the audience jumped up and clapped wildly. The screams and piercing whistles hurt my eardrums. 'And that,'Daniel announced,'is only the beginning! You ain't seen nothing yet!' Jamilla looked at me and her mouth sagged. 'Alex, these guys are very good, and I've seen Siegfried and Roy. Why are they playing at these little clubs? Why are they wasting their time here?' 'Because they want to,'I told her/This is where they look for prey.'
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