(Untitled)

[in_a_flash_x]

Victorian era stage magician standing near the bar looking a little glum. He's missing his family and on his fourth cup of tea.

He's stirring his tea with one hand and fanning a deck of cards with the other.

Comments

[song_tra_bong]

"Should a pick a card?" asks the blonde with a coffee mug a few barstools over.

[in_a_flash_x]

He grins, though it's still tinged with a little sadness.

"You may, if you like."

He holds out the fanned cards, backs facing himself.

[song_tra_bong]

She grabs the first card her eyes settle on--the queen of spades.

"What next?"

[in_a_flash_x]

She might notice his face brighten a little - performing always seems to lighten his mood.

He closes the fan of cards, stacks the deck neatly and presents it to her.

"Place your card in the deck - anywhere you like."

[song_tra_bong]

"Alright..."

After a moment's though, she slips it in the deck a little more than halfway down.

[in_a_flash_x]

He places the deck on the bar top, taps it twice and waves a hand over it.

"Now, cut the deck. Single cuts. As many as you'd like."

[song_tra_bong]

Once, twice and then a third time she cuts the deck, then offers it back to him.

[in_a_flash_x]

He accepts the deck from her with a nod, taps it twice, flips the deck over, face-up on the bar and spreads them along the top of the bar. There is one card face-down in the spread.

[song_tra_bong]

She smiles slowly, drawing out the face-down card and turning it over. No surprise--queen of spades.

"I suppose asking how you did that would be a waste of time."

[in_a_flash_x]

"Yes, ma'am, it would. It spoils the illusion if you know the secret." He grins and gives a small bow of his head.

[song_tra_bong]

"It's the secret that keeps them coming back, after all. Are you a professional performer?" she asks.

[in_a_flash_x]

The smile broadens. "I am. I'm preparing for a tour of Europe."

[song_tra_bong]

"Really? Congratulations."

She grins. "I'm betting you do more than card tricks, then."

[in_a_flash_x]

"Yes. Several popular illusions and a number of other tricks that entertain and mystify."

[song_tra_bong]

"When exactly are you from, if you don't mind my asking?"

[in_a_flash_x]

This is still an odd question to him, but he answers, "The year is 1892."