Vanishing Act Chapter 1

When Elijah Legend retakes the stage for his final act he’s greeted with a silence so complete it almost seems as if the very concept of sound has been vacuumed into the whirlwind of a black hole. Not even a baby’s whimper or the steady tick of a wristwatch can be heard above the suffocating stillness that encompasses him.1

To most of his companions such a silence proves to much to handle. Sure it means the audience is intrigued, but it also serves as a double agent for it lends a helping hand to a magician’s most fearful of outcomes; disappointment. With the ever-present obligation to entertain lurking in back of every performer’s mind many have crumpled under the pressure and fallen victim to it’s power, finding themselves no more capable than a deer who’s unfortunate enough to wander within the range of an approaching vehicle’s high beams.2

Yet Legend is no amateur or stranger to the silence that must at once be filled with thundering applause; forceful and everlasting as if everyone’s showing their approval by daring the next person to clap louder and longer than themselves. He’s known worldwide for his expertise in the fields of deception and trickery. Professional magicians with years of practice and honorable reputations marvel at his skill and natural ability. His manager goes as far as promoting him as ‘a warlock with powers unmatched by any human throughout the many chapters of history’ and, despite all the jealous critics eager to tarnish his reputation, nobody yet has raised enough support to fuel an argument.3

Standing stoically behind stage he rehearses his grand finale in his head as the overhead lights slowly dim to blackness in preparation of his big finish and the silence takes on a new persona as it mingles with the dark; a lonely feeling blinding entertainer from his audience. Legend takes a moment to sneer at his fellow magicians as he relishes this moment that separates himself from the rest, or perhaps better phrased as the great from the horde of worthless mediocrity.4

Throughout his performance he has held the audiences attention with petty optical illusions and cunning sleight of hand but, as always, he’s saved his best for last. He knows nothing short of a miracle will constitute a letdown to the many onlookers who have already witnessed far more than their minds could possibly imagine but worry continues to elude him. The bar has been set to an all-time high and he wouldn’t have it any other way. These are the conditions he thrives on; the moments he lives for.5

He can almost feel the electricity of nervous anticipation swirling through the crowd and he loves it in a way he could never love another human being. To him magic isn’t just a hobby crafted to escape from the reality of his existence but rather a lifestyle that nobody can take away from him. It’s something he can call his own and something that others can remember him by when the real Legend is long gone, faded into the ironic twist of his name.6

“Good luck,” a soft voice whispers from behind him.7

Legend recognizes his assistant with nothing more than a slight nod of his head than steps out from behind the velvet backdrop. He knows the theatre’s full of anxious spectators poised on the very edge of their seats but if not for the uncanny feel of their stares their stillness would hardly be distinguishable from an empty hall.8

As the tension mounts the dull thud of a drum roll crackles over the speakers; gradually rising in intensity until what was at first barely noticeable beats at a deafening roar. At the height of the crescendo a bright spotlight clicks to life and projects a circle of radiance in the center of the stage.9

Legend struts into the angelic glow like a rooster about to proclaim the crack of dawn. Thousands of scrutinizing eyes that are all to quick to react with disappointment judge his every move.10

Directly in front of him, in the very first row, he notices a family seated together. There’s two small children, a boy and girl, munching on a greasy cardboard box of popcorn sandwiched between mom and dad who are all dressed up for the occasion. Dad’s wearing a black sports jacket, pinstriped tie, and sparkling gold watch while mom’s adorned in a pearl necklace, pointy high heels, and a low-cropped dress that reveals a little to much cleavage for a family outing.11

Legend makes eye contact with the two kids and gives them a wink. He sees a quirky, toothless smile crawl across the boy’s round face but a loud bang and sudden sputter of fire obscures any additional reaction for his cape had suddenly burst into hot orange flames that streak hungrily towards the sky and the hanging curtain above.12

The audience gasps in horror and collectively shrink back in their seats. Legend knows there must be a number of emotions racing through their frantic minds but in the five seconds he has to parade the human-match he has become he hopes astonishment is the frontrunner with shock a short step behind because neither sensation is easily forgotten and they both ensure his legacy as the-best-there-ever-was and help patent the awful will-be portion that can never be guaranteed but leaves little promise for the future.13

One more tight twirl and the pressing heat tells him that his time has nearly elapsed. In order to emphasize the trick and make the fire dance as high and bright as possible he spreads his hands like an eagle about to take flight. He pauses for a moment to allow the unbelievable scene to burn itself into the audience’s mind than, just before his skin begins to blister, he lowers his head and sprints at the edge of the stage.14

Through the flames that lick at his face he sees his targeted family mangle in fear and try to dive out of the way. Mom protectively grabs for her kids to pull them out of harms way while dad takes a more heroic approach and throws himself in front of them to absorb the blow. Pleased with their fearful reaction Legend swiftly closes the gap, plants one last foot on solid ground, than pushes off into midair and a fiery swan-dive aimed squarely at the huddled family.15

Just before he reaches the cringing audience a blinding flare of light flashes as if somebody had captured the moment with a camera and he disappears in less than a blink of an eye, sprinkling the front three rows with nothing but charred ashes.16

For the first ten to fifteen seconds a pin drop could’ve been heard like the pounding of a cannon resonating throughout the hall but as the initial shock slowly wears off and people start realizing it was all just part of the act somebody in the back row rises to their feet and warily claps their hands. A couple heads angle in the direction of the noise and the clap slowly gains momentum as more and more people join in until everybody’s on their feet howling their approval.17

The cheers storm on for what seems like an eternity. The crowd begins to chant Legend’s name urging an encore, but he’s nowhere to be seen. After nearly twenty minutes with no reply the applause reluctantly fades away to the sound of rustling jackets. Another minute or so and the congregation finally forfeits their ticket stubs and flood the exits. As they turn to leave a couple of the younger kids steal a quick peek over their shoulder to the stage where they last saw the man who did everything but walk on water.