A Magician's Dream

I never imagined this would happen I thought as I witnessed the smoke, ash, and worst of all the sinful flame. I watched it destroy our wooden house flame by flame crackle by crackle minute by minute and there was nothing I could do about it. “What are we going to do?” My brother asked in a somber tone, his face was half covered in tears. “Simple we’ll live with our relatives.” I replied. “Listen Jake the only relatives we had were grandpa and grandma. “That’s genius we can stay with our grandparents!” I exclaimed. Winston frowned with a disappointed look on his face. “Jake, grandma and grandpa are long gone, and we’ve already lost our parents in this fire. All our other family members are all the way in Scotland for crying out loud!” “Ok, ok calm down, it’s not the end of the world.” I muttered. “Not the end of the world! Look around Jake, we’ve lost our parents we have nowhere to stay and now we have to get real jobs just to feed ourselves.” “let’s just focus on what’s most important finding shelter.” I said.

“I suppose we’ll have to build the shelter, won’t we?” Winston assumed. I nodded. “How are we going to build a shelter if we don’t have any materials!” Winston exclaimed. “Maybe we can, uhh” I scanned the area “use these leftover pieces of wood from the house.” We both agreed to my idea and got to work.  2 Hours Later…. Yes, we did it! I rejoiced. “Eh, it’s alright.” Winston mumbled. Are you kidding? “This is the best shelter I’ve ever seen.” “That’s because it’s the only shelter you’ve ever seen.” No matter what Winston said I was still proud of us. Time went by I gathered all the important stuff I found from the remains of the fire. Which included: a $10, clothes, hats, a deck of cards and candy. Winston told me that the deck of cards and candy was useless. But you never know, right? Winston being 16 and me only 12 years old we were eligible to work. So, Winston dragged me down to the bookstore so that we could help them print stuff and get money for doing so. But I thought otherwise, you see begged Winston to not force me to do something as boring and uninteresting as that.

He was uncertain at first but eventually agreed. A quiet chime welcomed us as we entered the store. There was an elderly, but friendly looking man waiting at the counter. “What may I do for you boys?” “Winston, pleased to meet you sir. I’d like to work here if you don’t mind.” “Certainly, my boy!” Winston grinned and shook his hand out. The two went on and on about how Winston got the job and how to work the printing press. Me on the other hand took a seat and whipped out my stack of cards. I laid each one in an orderly manner and placed two in my hand. Pictures flashed through my brain I remembered dad sitting down with me when I was 5, he showed me all these wacky tricks and movements with the deck of cards. I snapped back into reality, I caught myself mimicking the same movement my dad once did with the two cards. Here’s how it looked like 1 card was faced to me and the other card was faced to the audience, it almost appeared that the cards didn’t have a backside. I practiced similar tricks like this for a whole hour. Until Mr. Smith (Winston’s new boss) noticed me and my tricks. “That’s some mighty fine tricks you got their son, I bet you’d be able to perform in those big theaters.” Mr. Smith admired.

“You really think so?” I questioned. “Off course!” He exclaimed. That night before I went to bed, I thought about what Mr. Smith said, and then it hit me maybe I could be famous and preform in big theaters. The Next morning: “Winston you won’t believe what I just did!” I said as I rushed into Mr. Smith’s store. His face was covered in ink, and his hair was ruffled. “What happened to you?” I questioned. “The printer exploded.” He replied. “So, what’s up with you?” He asked. “Well, I talked to the guy who owned the theater and he let me preform a magic trick for 30 minutes.” I said proudly. “You think you have enough tricks to fill in the time?” Winston worried. Don’t worry I just need you to show up at 6pm, alight? I instructed. “I’ll be there.” Winston reassured. I checked my watch It was already 6 and Winston was still not here jet. I paced myself waiting, waiting until he’d come… the place was packed not a single seat left untouched. I started the performance with a simple welcome- a bow followed by a “Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the best magic show hosted by yours truly Jake Green.” The first trick was a simple one I’d show the audience 1 card then after I shook it 2 cards appeared. The next trick was making a penny disappear. In between this trick I heard muffled argument after a brief pause the theater’s gigantic doors opened and out swung Winston wearing the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. The 3^rd trick really got people going I make a rabbit appear out of thin air. My last trick was like a cherry on top to the whole show, I made a lady float! After I had finished, I had gotten a round of applause people whistled and clapped and Winston was speechless, his jaw nearly dropped. Roses were thrown onstage. I bowed several times. It was a perfect moment everyone was smiling and had a great time. The next morning I was thrilled to see it in the paper the very next day.

I guess that morning was full of surprises because Mr. Smith announced that he was going to adopt us! We were overjoyed by hearing this news. I continued preforming magic tricks all over the world with Winston and Mr. Smith by my side.

By: Siya C.