Curtain Call

The silhouettes of the old magician and his longtime assistant dance as the dim light flickers on the stage. The show was over, the curtain was called, but they stayed on stage with one light as they reminisced over the amazing timeline they experienced in their career. The phrase “Do you remember?” echoed throughout the auditorium, only being disrupted by the outbreak of laughter. Finally, one of the two decides to present a stopping point. “You know it’s getting late. You should probably get some rest before tomorrow’s show.” “Nah, I'd rather spend these minutes with you,” the magician says as he stares at his assistant. She smiles and responds. “I know. I would love that too. But, you are old,” she chuckles. “Harsh,” he says back with a smile. “I can’t have you fading on me mid-show.” “That’s true. Because then our show would be in Bella’s hands.” They both laugh. “Don’t say that. She tries.” “Yeah, but she is not you. Far from it. When you were in that position, everything was grand! I could sit in the audience and know everything would be perfect. But Bella…” They laugh again. “I know. But times have changed. She has to play her part, and I have to play mine.” The magician sighs as his smile flattens. The assistant walks and places her hand on his shoulder. “You know you can’t do this forever, Eli,” she said with a concerned look. “If you decide to turn off the lights and rest, we will be ok.” He looks up at her with a smile and a tear. “No, the show must go on.” She smiles back and gently touches his face. “Ok, my love. But for now, you must get some rest, and I will see you in the morning. Okay?” He shows his compliance by moving her hand to his lips to agree with a simple kiss. “Okay, my dear.”

“Places!” the stage manager yells as Eli stands in the center with his signature cape and cane. Two women stood beside him. On his left, Bella. The young assistant who wasn’t given the job based on her expertise in the magic arts, but because the talent director of the casino considered her body to be magical. And he believed that magical body would bring in some magical tickets from some wand holders. On his right, his assistant, best friend, and lover, Victoria. Handpicked in the early days by Eli himself, she was a master of the arts. Many believe that she was better than Eli, and without her, his legendary status would never have been achieved. When she entered the professional world, she did desire to have her own solo act. With her talent, she felt like she could make one that could rival Houdini himself. But due to the restrictions of that current society, she had no choice but to stay under an inferior magician. As society began to open its eyes, and the opportunity of a solo act began to arise, her love for Eli outpaced any desire she may have had. Even when she was offered a very lucrative sum from a very interested rival, she was satisfied just to be the Vanna to her Pat. Of course, not everyone agreed that was the right choice, but she didn’t care because her love was too strong. Even if it meant that she would play the background so that the young and voluptuous assistant could take the gaze of the audience, it didn’t matter because she could still be with her love on that stage. And just like the very first opening night, she would start on his right side. On that first night, it was Eli who whispered in her ear, “It will be ok, Victoria.” His soothing voice planted a seed that night, as it calmed her nervous and chaotic mind. And ever since then, she loved every time that she could stand by his side before the show. Just to hear his voice, to hear his whisper, to feel his cooling breath encapsulate her ear, it was worth more than any amount of money they could offer her. In the latter years, she began to lead the tradition as she would whisper a different phrase in his ear every night to make him smile, give him a kiss, and then disappear to the back before the stage manager yelled, “Curtain up, go!”

This night was just like every other night. The audience stared in amazement as Eli presented what made him one of the best magicians in the world. Animals disappeared, and then reappeared in the audience. Bella was sawed, separated, burned, and then put back together in one piece. Sparks flew, water splashed, and spikes poked, yet no one was injured. The audience yelled and cheered as they stood on their feet to give praise to the bowing magician and his enticing assistant(who had lost some of her clothes in one of those acts).

“Great show again, Eli!” The stage manager says as she packs up her backpack. “I swear you are getting younger and better every show.” “Eli began to chuckle, but his laugh was cut short by a pair of breasts that tried to suffocate him. “My Eli is so silly!” Bella says as she gives him a hug that could initiate an HR complaint. “Bella, get off the man before you kill him. And are you not finished changing? I feel like everyone else is about to leave,” the stage manager asks. “I’m changed,” she replies as she releases Eli, who immediately gasps for air. “I’m sorry, Mr. E. I just wanted to show my thanks. Did you want to go out with me and my friends tonight? My treat.” “You know Eli’s routine, Bella. But back to you. Did you say you are changed? Or are you changing? Because I feel like you are missing a shirt.” “You are silly to Jo Jo. Bye-bye, Mr. E! I’ll see you tomorrow!” Bella says as she waves and skips to the door. “These kids are going to kill me, Eli,” Jo says as she puts her backpack on. “I know. But I’m sure our parents said the same about us,” Eli responds as he watches the skipping and bouncing Bella leave. Jo chuckles. “Yeah, that’s true. My mom swears I was the reason my dad had a heart attack. Even though I’m sure it was all the beer and smoking.” They laugh again. Jo leans in and kisses Eli on the cheek. “Well, I’m heading out. Give Victoria my love. And please don’t stay up too late. We are getting old.” “Yeah, I know, Jo.” “For real, Eli. I do mean it when I say you look awesome on the stage. But I also know you. And I know you are tired.” Eli looks up at Jo as she backs toward the door. But before he could respond, she says, “I do get it, Eli. I get it. But one day, we will have to turn these lights off for good.” Eli sighs as Jo waves and walks out the door.

“You know she is right,” Victoria says as she startles Eli. “Umm, how long have you been there?” “Well, I was on the stage preparing for tomorrow, but I made it back just in time to almost kill your new assistant.” They laugh as they both walk toward the stage. “Honestly, I thought she was going to kill me. I couldn’t breathe with those things in my face.” “You are so silly, Mr. E,” Victoria says mockingly. “I am going to say it again, I didn’t choose the girl. I actually chose Bobby. But that was vetoed by the horny talent director. Who I swear Bella gave extra credit to.” Victoria laughs. “I’m pretty sure she didn’t.” “Well, at least in his mind they did.” “Yeah, that is a fact.” The two laugh as they begin their normal reminiscing routine as the light flickers through the night.

“Ok Eli, curtains up in 30,” Jo says the next night as Victoria and Eli prepare in his dressing room. “Sounds good, Jo. Be out in a few.” Jo smiles and closes the door. “I’m glad Jo stayed with us after all these years,” Victoria says. “Yeah. I honestly didn’t know if she was after that night.” “And then having to tell her about the new situation.” “Yeah, that was one crazy evening. But do you know the other crazy night I remember with her? Her first night.” “Oh yeah!, What a disastrous night,” Victoria says, laughing. “All I remember is that I was stage left, but every light except that one came on.” They laughed until a hand was heard beating at the door. “That’s weird.” “Maybe Jo heard us,” Victoria says with a chuckle. Eli gets up and opens the door. To his surprise, it was a young man. “Umm, I’m sorry. Do you need something?” “Yes, a refund,” the man starts with. “How did you even get back here? And that is something you have to take up with the box office.” “Can I come in?” “I am about to call security if you don’t leave,” Eli forcefully states. “Eh, don’t do that. Because if you do that, I will have to tell all your secrets. And how you have been cheating.” “Who are you?” “Oh, just a magician manager who doesn’t like liars. And if you don’t let me in, I will expose you.” Eli looks back at Victoria, who shrugs her shoulders. “Fine, but make it quick. Curtain goes up soon.” “I know.”

The man walks into the room. He slowly looks around before startling Victoria by staring directly at her. He snickers and sits down in Eli’s chair. “I’m going to ask you again, who the hell are you?” The man smiles.“That’s a good question. You know, I was a fan of yours in your younger days. You were one of the best. Well, one of the best illusionists. Your act was so mind-blowing that no one could believe it was just an illusion. Now, of course, most of that was because your assistant was an actual master magician.” He looks again at Victoria. “But now, I don’t like how you just use her talent to cheat, instead of actually attempting to do the illusion.” “What are you talking about?” Eli asks as he glances over at a fearful Victoria. “I was in your audience yesterday. And I watched as she just moved things around the stage. It was so lazy.” Victoria jumps up from her chair and yells, “You can see me?” “Of course, Ms Victoria. Why wouldn’t I?” Victoria looks at Eli whose breath became shortened. “Who are you?” “Who in the hell am I, is what you want to say. But you know what? I can see that you two are not in the right state of mind at this moment. And since you have to go do a show in twenty, I’ll come back tomorrow and talk.” The man walks to the door. “Break a leg. Well, I guess that can only apply to one of you.” He snickers again and walks out.

The two partners, friends, and lovers stood in the room staring at each other. Both with tears, both with fear. “What do we do?” Eli asks. Victoria sighs, and then smiles. “We'll go put on another show, my love. Just like we always do.” “But this guy can see you.” She walks up and grabs Eli’s hand. “I think one person complaining after ten years is an amazing success story. So let’s go do what we always do.” She kisses him before leading him out the door.

Places!” The magician stood between the two ladies and sighed. Chaos was reigning in his mind until a soothing wind calmed his storm. “It will be ok, Eli.” It took her voice, her whisper, her breath that encapsulated his ear to enlighten and motivate Eli to smile, just as he heard “Curtain’s up!” He watches the velvet drapes lift from the ground as they reveal the lights pointing directly at him. But not the lights from the stage, the lights in people’s eyes. Though his assistant was the true master of magic, it was how he would observe the audience more than they observed him that would make him one of the greatest illusionists and one of the greatest entertainers ever. And with the talent of his assistant, best friend, and lover, the duo presented an art form that the world had never seen, and may never see again. As he began to use Bella as the misdirection, with his peripheral, he admired how Victoria used her gift to do the real magic. On one hand, he was sad that the young man was threatening their perfect show. But on the other hand, he kind of was happy that someone else could watch and appreciate Victoria for what she was doing in the show. For the past 10 years, he has received all the credit. But he always felt that he should receive none. He was the real assistant. The real sidekick. And she was the real superhero. As he prepared for the next act, he paused for a second to admire the audience. Though he studied the audience in every show, this was the first time he ever paused to admire them. He smiled, and then continued.

“Eli, tell me you are okay?” Jo asked Eli as he walked backstage for intermission. “Yeah, I’m sorry. I had a moment.” Jo sighs in relief. “Boy, I started losing my mind. I have never seen you pause in all my years with you.” “I know, I just had to admire the moment.” “Ok, well, admire it after the show next time, please.” Jo bends over with her hands on her knees as she attempts to take a breath. “Sorry, Eli. I know. I get it. You know me.” Eli laughs. “I know Jo. I’m pretty sure I gave you a heart attack. It was just something about that moment.” Jo stood up as her breathing became more normal. “I hear you. Once again, all great things do come to an end, Eli. But please wait till I yell curtain’s down next time.” “Will do, Jo,” Eli laughed as he prepared to re-enter the show.

Once the audience cleared the room, Eli returned to the stage to sit on a stool. “Are you okay, my love?” Victoria asks as she appears on the stage. “Yeah. Just thinking,” he replies as he stares at the empty seats. “I’m assuming you are thinking about what that guy said.” “Yeah. I don’t know what to do.” Victoria smiles and pulls up another stool to sit beside Eli. “You are lying, my love. You know what you have to do.” “Do you really think he would expose us?” “Naw. That’s not what he does. I remember him now.” “Really?” Eli asks as he turns away from the empty chairs to look into his lover’s eyes. “He looks a little different, maybe younger, but I remember him from years ago.” “So you think he is bluffing?” “Yes and no. He’s not going to expose, but he is going to offer us something.” “Okay, that’s not bad, right?” “Naw, when he offers things, the price is not worth it.” “Oh,” Eli says as he looks back at the empty audience, as the realization of the current reality hits him. He feels a hand grab his as the lights start to dim, except one. “It’s been a great run, my love,” Victoria says as she moves closer to Eli, who smiles from her warmth. “Sure has. And then some,” they both chuckle. “I couldn’t ask for a better life. And to have it with the one I adore standing by my side makes it even greater.” He kisses her forehead.

“Hey,” Jo says as she slowly enters the stage. “Hey, Jo,” Eli replies. “Judging by the random pause in the show, I’m assuming this is your final bow.” Eli smiles, “Yeah, the final curtain call. I hope that is okay?” Jo walks toward the two chairs. “Of course. Of course. I’ll handle it all.” She says as the tears begin to flow. “It has been one hell of a run with you two. Thank you for allowing me to ride along with you,” Jo says as she begins to hug first Eli, and then Victoria. “Girl, thank you for putting up with us over all these years,” Victoria says as she wipes Jo's tears while her own start to flow. “No, thank you. I couldn’t ask for better co-workers and friends. I’ll let you two have your final bow,” Jo says, sniffling. “Just yell lights when you are ready,” she says as she backs up with the stream of tears drenching the floor. She pauses, runs back one more time to give them one more hug, and then exits the stage.

The silhouette of the magician and the assistant dances as the flickering light dimly illuminates the stage while the two stand hand in hand. “I love you,” Eli says to Victoria as he leans in for his final act. “I love you too,” Victoria responds as she lets her assistant complete his task. After their lips are unleashed, they continue their embrace. They feel each other’s breath encapsulate their ears. “Curtain call on three,” Victoria whispers into Eli’s ear.

“One,” he says. “Two,” she says. “It will be okay.” His soothing voice calms her chaotic mind. “Three.” “Lights!” They both yell together.

The show was over, the curtain was called, the lights were dimmed as the dancing shadows ceased.

“Blackout,” Jo says with a sniffle.