I Believe in Magic

I Believe in Magic

Somewhere in North Carolina…


Malls, perfect place to garner a crowd. Think about it. There are so many people there with nothing to do, many of which are dying for something to excite them. And a few who are willing to pay for said excitement. And James was well versed in how to entertain people enough that they parted with their money.


Since he was a kid James always had a fascination with magic, especially the works of Houdini. In fact he was so enamored by the famous showman that he got himself in a spot of trouble when he was younger. Let’s just say that social services and the hospital didn’t see the magic in having to treat a kid who had almost drowned in the neighbors pool after chaining himself to the bottom of it. Of course after that irritating failure James didn’t make that mistake again. He did his best to become a better magician over the years.


“Attention everyone” James bellowed with charismatic flair “Today is your day to witness one of the greatest magic shows of your life!”


He made grand gestures with his hands, all of which were slow with his fingers together. Each arm adorned with a few leather bracelets and one metal bracelet on each arm. There were rings on each finger and they all had their own meaning that only James could determine. He was a lean man who was average looking and keep himself well groomed, clean shaven. Today he was dressed in black and adorned with thin chains that flowed down his legs.


“Hey freak!” a woman from the crowd yelled. “You can’t just walk in here demanding people pay attention to you.” She was blonde with gray eyes, slender features and strikingly attractive.


James smirked “Oh, but I can. There is freedom of speech in this country last I checked and I’m going to provide everyone here with a sight they rarely see.”


She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow “Lets see if you’re any good.”


James without missing a beat extended an arm and said “Come. Tell me who you are and give me a hand so you can see first hand how excellent my performance will be.”


She smiled and walked forward, putting her large bag where she could see it. She had on a silver dress that clung to her every curve. She took his hand while flashing a large smile.


“My name is Tessa. So what do we call you Mr Entertainer?”


He led her a few feet from where they stood and declared “I am James Jackdaw. And today all here will witness my magic.”


There was an audible groan from the crowd and many seemed disinterested but James ignored them and continued.


“My first act will be to cut this lovely woman in half!”
This time there was an audible gasp from the crowd, more people became interested in what he was doing. Her eyes opened wide in shock too.


“I’m kidding people! Who brings a saw to the mall?” James exclaimed. “My actual first trick will be to levitate before your very eyes!”


Tessa looked skeptical “How in the hell are you going to do that?”


James placed a finger to his lips then removed it and said “Its magic.”


She rolled her eyes and many people around chuckled a little.


James ignored them and raised his hands in the air. “I will need a few of you to back up, this is a  dangerous spell since it distorts the gravity around me.” He smiled and looked at Tessa. “You will have to remain perfectly still until I say otherwise.”


James moved to the center of the area he had cleared and held his palms upward “Gods of old, great and powerful, hear this mortal’s humble plea. I am but your messenger, here to show your power to those who are ignorant. Gods of the sky, lift me higher. Gods of the earth, let me go for but a moment. This I ask, this I beg. Please make it so!” As he said the last word James clasped his hands together as if he was praying and he seemed to grow taller. No not taller, he was the same hight but his feet were no longer on the ground. His body was straight, eyes were closed and his chains pulled tight against his body.


“Oh my god…That isn’t possible” Tessa uttered.


“Tessa… While I can hold this, pass your arms below my feet… and above my head” James commanded in a strained voice.


She did as she was told. Her arms moved over his head and under his feet effortlessly. Everyone was paying attention to him now. All shocked and amazed.


“There are no strings…How’re you doing this?” Tessa asked.


Almost as if the question had offended what force that had kept him in the air James Jackdaw dropped to the ground and began to gasp for air. Everyone now seemed panicked. But he rose his hands and smirked to persuade them that he was alright.


“Magic. Its more real than anyone can truly know Tessa” he placed his hand over his chest. “That took more than I imagined it would…Everyone, if you wish to see more then please attend my show this Saturday at the outdoor theater thats marked on the maps.”


James took his chains and linked them, then he began to spin them around one hand over his head like a hula hoop while he held his other hand over his heart. “Gods of flame, hear my prayer” the chains began to spark as they spun. “Take me to the next destination so that I may do your bidding. I, James Jackdaw, am your humble servant till the end.”


Right after he said his last word James dropped the chain, which left a column of smoke as it fell. The room filled with the smoke, which smelt sweet, and as quickly as it filled the room it dissipated. Where James Jackdaw had stood there were flyers with the location and cost of his performance. There was no trace of him left. The crowd applauded and flooded the area to grab a flyer.




*****
A few minutes later within the same mall.


“Oh Gods of coffee, give me energy to face the day” Tessa said mockingly to the man who was seated by himself with two cups in front of him. He had on a faded blue baseball cap, green T-shirt that was clearly too big for him and a simple gray watch.


“Shut up and drink your coffee.” The man smirked through his thick beard.


Tessa slid into the seat next to him. She had added a jean jacket and glasses to her outfit. Looking at the man right in his ice blue eyes she raised one of her hands and touched his chin lightly.


“James, this is a shitty beard. But at least you’ve gotten the hang of putting it on properly.”


James flashed a smile at Tessa. “Well, considering we’ve done this about a dozen times by now I’d hope that I had improved.”


“Yeah, I remember when you forgot to take off your rings the first time and someone walked up to us saying ‘how they loved the show and they can’t wait till the performance.’ I swear you almost pissed your pants!” Tessa began to laugh.


James sipped his tea, raised an eyebrow and said “I remember how during the second show you didn’t pack your bag properly and I had to wear your shirt instead of mine afterwards!”


“Really? How about when your little ‘chain’ trick almost burnt your wrists before you started wearing those damn cuffs!” Tessa retorted.


James couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, attempting that trick without some form of protection was silly.”


“This was our last place. Think we’ll have a decent crowd?” Tessa’s demeanor shifted.


James adjusted himself as well “Definitely!” His eyes began to glaze over. “I can’t believe how close we are to making this happen.”


Tessa placed a hand over his “I’m proud of you J-bird…I know they are too.”


He clasped her hand with his. “Thanks Tess…You’ve been the best…”


“Shhh..” she made a fist and playfully touched him on the cheek with it. “Finish your coffee so we can get out of here.”
James smiled weakly, but there was a hint of mischief in his eye. “We can’t leave just yet. I have to collect the other magnet.”


“I’m surprised you haven’t fried someone’s phone with those damn things” Tessa said as she shook her head from side to side. “How’re the ones on your legs? Are they still cutting you?” the concern in her eyes was almost tangible.


He looked deep into her eyes and tilted his head “No Tess, I’ve learned from the first few times.”


******


That night as they lay in bed James found himself staring at Tessa as she slept. When his folks had died on that plane crash a few years ago she was there for him. They were best friends before the tragedy and she had always been his confederate for smaller tricks but once his parents died they fell into each other completely. His folks had loved her and were always pushing him toward her but he was always afraid…hell, he was afraid to perform for anyone other than them. But when they died his fear went with them. His first and last biggest performance was coming up and he was excited but he knew he couldn’t have done any of it without her. Hell, he found it hard to sell the his family house but Tessa was there to remind him of his resolve.


“Stop being a creep” she said groggily.


He chuckled “I thought I wore you out so much you had to drift off to sleep.”


Her reply was taking her pillow and playfully smothering him with it. They both began to laugh as they wrestled back and forth with their exhausted, naked bodies pressing against each other. Eventually she wound up on top of him, allowing her hair to fall over and frame his face. She kissed him with fleeting passion.


“J-bird, get some sleep. Tomorrow’s the big night.” she cooed.


He placed a hand behind her head and pulled her down to kiss her again. She shifted so that her head was on his chest as they drifted off to sleep.


*****


The following night the stage was phenomenally set up. The chairs were subcontracted and set up in an elevated colosseum style. The stage was in the center and constructed of a mixture of wood and metal that was spray painted black. The backdrop had “Jackdaw” written in gray spray paint and a solid metal beam extended from the center to over 200ft in the air. Spot lights were strategically placed and all of the staff had on black clothes with black masks. Only one staff member’s mask had a silver chin — she was in charge of all operations.


People came in masses as show time approached, each of them paying their admission and being directed to their seats. Once the stadium was filled the lights went off all at once. The only thing that could be seen were the glow of the staff’s masks, which filled the air with an eerie sensation. Music and a spot light brought the stage to life. In the center stood James Jackdaw, in his uniform of black, chains, rings and bracelets. He stood there, surveying the crowd with his arms placed at his side. Moving his head from left to right, right to left.


Finally he raised his arms and declared into his headset “All of you here tonight are to witness my tribute to the gods. Through me, their humble messenger, I will demonstrate their power to you all and give them the highest admiration my body can bare! Let the show begin.”


The lights went off and less harsh lighting illuminated the stage and there was James standing with a simple gray staff that was as tall as his shoulders. The top of the staff was ornamented with a circular blue jewel.


As he held it over his head he declared “When I became a vassal for the gods they gave me this symbol of power. I was told that as long as I was in its presence the power they bestowed on me will be multiplied by at least threefold.”


To prove the authenticity of the staff’s sturdiness James held that staff and struck the ground with it causing the auditorium to echo as it hit the ground. In his next moment he held the jewel and began to push the staff into the stage; it began to form a puddle of gray where it connected with the stage.


“This relic secures my bond with the gods so that I may show you their power!” He pulled the relic back up and it seemed to become solid again. To assure the crowd that it was he tapped it on the floor once more. Then he walked over to his left and placed the staff in the corner of the stage. He made it retain its half solid, half liquid form.


Walking back to center stage James declared “God of metal, make me firm and unbreakable as iron. Firm as steel” as he said those words the gem on the staff glowed with an eerie light.


He went on to say “Those of you at the ends of each row at the very back, come forward and bring those metal rods next to you.”


The people in the designated seats followed the instructions they were given and brought the heavy metal rods forward; these rods were about two feet long. James fondled each rod that was given to him and placed the six rods at his feet. He took two into his hands and bit through them with his teeth! Once he displayed them well enough for the crowd he tossed them aside as if they were nothing. Taking two more, he bent them into spiral shapes that he easily discarded. For the last two James pushed them together flattening them as best he could and returned them at the top of the stage in front of him.


*****


As the show progressed James Jackdaw performed fantastical feats such as melting metal with his touch, turning stones into spiders then burning them with his words and freezing the bottles of water purchased by audience members with his gaze. The crowd was going wild and enjoyed his performance tremendously!


James’ staff brought out a glass container of water to the center of the stage that was about ten feet wide and four feet high.


“You will all witness my final feat!” James Jackdaw placed a foot on the metal beam and began to walk up it almost as easily as he walked on the stage. Gasps came from the crowd.


He continued “I’ve spent a long time preparing for this night. The night where people will learn of what I’m capable of. The night were people will learn what it is like to be amazed by magic, becoming lost in it. What had stopped me before was fear.” He kept walking upward.


“Fear of failure. Fear of what people would say. It was crippling and kept me from sharing with the world what was possible. I was afraid of showing everyone who I truly was or who I wanted to be.” He had reached the top where a small platform was set up for him.


“Now I declare to you all from the highest point! I James Jackdaw did this for my parents who died years ago. Gods be damed! I did this all for them!” He screamed at the top of his lungs and as he said those words the orb on his staff turned crimson. It glowed brightly.


James took that moment to drop his headset and it plummeted into the pool of water. He raised his arms so that he formed the shape of a cross and leaned until he fell forward off of the platform toward the water. As he began to fall the orb shattered and its fragments burst into flames; the call of a jackdaw rung through the stadium. People flinched and looked in every direction, anything to avoid the tragedy they were about to witness but when they heard the splash and looked into the pool they only saw Jackdaw’s clothing floating in the water with his mic.


Then the word “Goodbye” appeared above “Jackdaw” on the backdrop. Seconds passed and the lights came on slowly.
The lead staff member spoke for the first time in what seemed to be a disguised voice “Please follow the lights to the exit. Thank you for coming.”




*****


Three months later…


Tessa was sitting at the cabin she and James had purchased a year ago. Tears welling in her eyes as she looked at a picture of them from just after they had purchased this place.


“Tess, why are you crying?”


Tessa looked up at James as he had just emerged from the bedroom.


She smiled at him weakly “I’m just so happy we got to this point J-bird…we pulled off the show and we’ve gotten to enjoy each other for a few months without any hang ups. I’m just happy.”


Tears kept flowing from her beautiful gray eyes. James rushed to her and kissed the tears under her right eye.


“Tessa,” his eyes welled with tears now, “because of you I’ve been able to accomplish what I thought to be impossible. Now I’m never afraid when I’m with you. I love you Tess.”


She smiled through her tears and kissed him “I love you too J-bird.” She touch his chin with one of her hands. “I also love this beard you finally decided to grow” she chimed playfully.


James raised an eyebrow. “Come and show me how much you love it.”


With that they slipped into each other’s arms.



Note:
This is a story from "Life, Love & Pain Vol 1" and this book is available on my Store for $7.99. Please enjoy.