The Vanishing Woman – Felix

EPISODE 9 of 12 – Sleight of Hand

The Hangman’s Theater is hosting several black letter recipient magicians to perform for a chance at the largest stage in Wondermere. A once in a lifetime opportunity and Jan has procured an opportunity for Charisma and friends to perform but for reasons that have little to do with winning a contest. Will they get what they came for?

TOLD FROM THE POV OF FELIX

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Three vertical pieces of wood held together by a black metal frame, scraped and scratched over time from all kinds of weather, swung back and forth on a pole in the side of a building teeming with people waiting entry. Carved into the wood was a dangling man with a noose around his neck. Long hair concealing his face. His toes pointed downward. Forever in a state of not quite dead with every sway of The Hangman’s sign.

Two lanterns on either side of the entrance were lighted as the sun began to set. Already there were at least two dozen people standing in line waiting to get inside. News traveled quickly that several magic acts performing this evening were in possession of black letters. These letters were not easy to come by. They were a magic acts ticket that would bring them one step closer to performing at the colosseum. To receive such a letter was an honor. It meant the hard work of a magic act was brought to the attention of the king and he had chosen this act to receive a spot.

It was the right time for invitations and for new acts trying to get their opportunity under the spotlight to get recognized. This is also a time for smaller theaters and venues that host magic acts all year round to make their most money. Any theater hosting a black invitation magic act was assured a sell out evening and usually runs out of food and drink before the end of the night.

The Hangman’s Theater hadn’t had the pleasure of a black letter performance in several years but they were more than ready when Jan alerted them to her recent invitation.

The doors were not open yet as the owner of The Hangman’s Theater was able to acquire more tables and chairs to cram in extra patrons, making sure to leave plenty of room for the judges who would be watching and scoring from the best spot in the house. 

Mr. Dingle in his finest clothes, a suit he hadn’t worn since his wedding day more than a decade ago, made sure not to breath too deeply or bend over as he made his way from the stage down to the main floor towards the entrance. As he passed them by his staff all looked up and made sure to smile at him. Minor assurances that everything was going just fine. Not a hiccup would happen tonight.

Jan wore a long black cape, a hood up over her face, waiting by the entrance just out of sight. “Is everything as we discussed?” She asked Mr. Dingle.

“Yes. Oh yes. Decidedly so. Yes. Heavens above. I can’t believe the Great Davoren will be in attendance.” Mr. Dingle was older than Jan, a rotund belly that struggled under his vest, the buttons nearing the moment of popping as they barely held together. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and he pulled a handkerchief from his breast pocket to mop away the sweat. Were he to wring that handkerchief he would have enough to fill a cup. The few strands of hair he had atop his head he smoothed down to one side, over his bald spot. He licked his fingers to smooth it down even more. A shine under the lantern lights made his bald spot that much more noticeable but Jan didn’t have the heart to tell he friend.

Mr. Dingle kept her secret about living her life as a man in order to keep her family business and livelihood from being taken by the king and their family. In truth, Mr. Dingle and his wife were unable to conceive and he looked at Jan, though she was less than ten years his junior, as a daughter. That didn’t stop his nerves from getting the better of him.

The last time Mr. Dingle and The Hangman’s Theater hosted a black letter magic act, it didn’t go well at all. The stage wasn’t designed to the specifications that the act required until the day of the performance. This gave them no time to rehearse and confirm their set would work the way expected. When the act wasn’t invited by the king to perform at the colosseum due to having received one of the lowest scores by the judges, it rendered The Hangman’s Theater as a curse within the community. 

So, when Jan was able to receive the black letter she knew exactly where she wanted to perform. A chance for her dear friend to regain some respect within the community. It changed nothing for those outside who were busy speculating about what might go wrong. 

Up until tonight the theater was the only one in Wondermere that hosted everything except magic. Normally, a theater that never had magic on the bill would be put out of business. But with the help of Jan and the other performances they managed to book they’ve been able to remain afloat.

“Mr. Dingle, you must remain calm. I am sure everything will work out fine tonight. Besides, we have a plan remember?” He nodded at her and smiled. He knew that while a performance would be happening on stage, the most important thing would be what was happening behind the stage. They only needed their act to capture the attention of the audience for a short while and none of their proposed magic would require the stage to do anything special or different.

He took a deep breath. “Quite right. Quite right. Do you need me for anything else? Otherwise, I think it is time to let them in.” Mr. Dingle looked at his pocket watch. It was nearly six o’clock, which meant the show would need to begin soon.

Jan asked that the bill remain as it was intended for the evening. This would give her and the others time to prepare before they performed The Vanishing Woman for everyone. Their whole plan hinged on this trick and the Great Davoren’s ego.

“No, my friend. You have done brilliantly.” Jan retreated through a secret passageway that allowed staff and acts who used the theater to move about unseen by the customers. It was a rather narrow walkway from the front of the theater and let her out backstage, right by the kitchen.

The kitchen is where Mrs. Dingle spent her time. She was too old to stand long enough to cook like she used to in the early days of the theaters existence, but she sat on a stool and observed, making suggestions and barking orders to anyone and everyone who passed by her.

The head chef knew better than to step on her toes, after all she was the one who gave him the job and he needed it more than anyone else there. The staff made sure not to give her reason to yell at them, keeping their heads down and staying at their station.

Jan watched Mrs. Dingle, her long gray hair pulled back to show the stern expression on her face. The way her eyes darted around the kitchen watching everyone as they moved with precision, working together. It was her attention to detail that Jan marveled at. Nothing got past Mrs. Dingle. Nothing that is, except for Jan. She was unaware of the lie that Jan was portraying to the world and though it pained Jan to have to keep it from her, there was a fear that it would reach the ear of the king should Mrs. Dingle ever find out. After all, Mrs. Dingle is a distant cousin of the Conroy’s, the ruling family, and with that honor comes an open ended invitation to the castle whenever she wishes. 

Before Mrs. Dingle could notice, Jan slipped past her. Mrs. Dingle felt the presence of someone near and smiled knowingly at the sudden disappearance down the hall.

When Jan emerged in the backstage area there was shouting and dozens of people moving about. No one really paid her any attention. Everyone was far too busy preparing for the night’s show to begin. She managed to weave her way through the stagehands to the room where she left her associates earlier.

“And where have you been?” Felix asked, hands on his hips, staring daggers at her. She wanted to take him seriously, truly she did. But it was difficult to do when he was dressed as a woman in a frilly dress with a wig that never quite sat straight on his head. It wasn’t for lack of trying, he just didn’t have enough hair of his own when it came to using pins to hold it all in place.

“Everything is ready. They are opening the doors to let everyone in. How are you two doing over here?” Jan asked Charisma and Flossie who were huddled together at the vanity, looking down at some notes and drawings.

“With no time to practice or prepare I’d say we’re excellent,” Flossie said sarcastically.

“It seems simple enough but are you sure you want me on stage with you to do this? Couldn’t you go alone?” Charisma asked.

“You know as well as I do this requires two men to perform. Davoren will know something is up if just one of us is on stage. Besides, I’m sure you don’t want Flossie’s job, do you?” Flossie didn’t even want her job either.

***

“Is he here?” Flossie asked, sneaking up behind Charisma who was watching an act perform backstage. The show had begun and it was her first real opportunity to watch a theater show. She had always gotten to see shows at the colosseum due to her job there and although it was the largest stage in all of Wondermere, there was something about a smaller and more intimate setting that Charisma appreciated. 

The audience was within arms reach, meaning they could see everything that was happening. One wrong move and it could give away the trick.

However, as the Hangman’s Theater hosted more than just magic acts, performing on stage were a duet who were on their second song. Charisma enjoyed their voices and how they blended together well. She wasn’t sure if they were brother and sister or husband and wife but their connection, whatever it was, was undeniable. She also couldn’t help but notice how the woman looked in her direction whenever she moved across the stage. Charisma kept looking back in case the stare was meant for someone else but there was never anyone behind her.

“Hello!” Flossie whispered loudly, snapping her fingers in front of Charisma’s face as she was clearly distracted by the singing happening on stage.

“Oh, sorry, yes,” Charisma said, leaning to one side so Flossie could see for herself. Seated at a slightly larger table in the middle with everyone else around them, was the Great Davoren. 

Charisma wasn’t very impressed by him the way everyone else seemed to be. The moment he arrived everyone around him felt compelled to congratulate his obvious invitation to the colosseum and tell them how much they love his performances. He placated the crowds enough without encouraging them but he did take several bows before the shows on stage could begin.

He arrived at the theater alone, though after a while he was joined by two other people. They flanked him on either side. One man and the other was Miss. Pomroy. Charisma gasped when she saw her and turned her head away, afraid she would be heard over the singers. 

“What is she doing here?” Flossie asked.

“I have no idea but I’m starting to think this might be the a bad idea. What if she recognizes us?”

“I hope not—”

“Excuse me, sirs, your up next,” The stage manager who had been directing traffic brilliantly backstage crept up behind Charisma and Flossie.

“Thank you,” Flossie said, in as deep a voice as she could muster. Charisma didn’t get to hear the end of the song and she hoped she would get a chance to let them both know how much she enjoyed their singing.

In their dressing room Flossie blurted out the good news that they were next, omitting that their employer at the colosseum was also in attendance. 

The equipment was already waiting for them on the side of the stage with Felix dressed as a woman and Charisma and Jan both dressed as men, preparing to walk on stage. 

The evenings host walked onto the stage while the audience finished applauding the singers who exited on the opposite side of the stage. The female singing looked back across the stage and winked at Charisma whose face flushed.

“Here we go,” Flossie said, shoving her way past Charisma and Jan and running onto the stage. She made a big scene of leaning in to whisper something to the announcer before handing him a card and running off stage in the direction of the two singers.

The announcer cleared his throat before speaking into the microphone. “Ladies and gentleman. It appears we have a change in tonight’s performance. Maranigan the Magician will be performing…” he started and paused, swallowing deeply and wishing he had a glass of water to get through the rest, he continued, “the Vanishing Woman.”

There was immediate gasps and murmurings coming from the audience. Jan and Charisma leaned in to look at Davoren’s reaction. As they expected, he was livid. Even members of the audience looked over at him as well.

“Let’s give them a round of applause…,” the announcer said and quickly hurried off stage.

As the equipment for to perform the magic trick was wheeled on stage with the aid of Charisma, Jan and one stage hand, Felix waited in the wings for his cue to walk on stage.

By now, Davoren was beside himself as he continued to sit, unmoving, and watching what was about to take place. Sure, other magicians have tried to perform the Vanishing Woman, but none of them were successful. He was used to copycats. None of them knew how he did it and it amused him to watch others try. But this was different. He could already tell when he saw what was being brought out on stage that they at least had the correct equipment. Then he saw Jan and knew it was entirely possible that this trick would be performed exactly the same as he has done in his own shows. But with the audience watching he couldn’t make a scene. He tried to look around him without moving his head even an inch and held a smile on his face though it clearly pained him. Charisma took a chance to glance in his direction and saw a vain throbbing on the side of his neck as he clenched his jaw and balled his fists in front of him. She looked away but not before catching the eye of Miss. Pomroy who was staring rather intently at her. She raised her eyebrows and looked away quickly. Jan could tell something was off but as they were both in the middle of a trick there was hardly any time to find out what was wrong.

“Ladies and gentlemen. I am sure you’ve seen this trick performed once or twice before—”

“Unsuccessfully!” Came a shout from the audience. Even Davoren forgot himself and nodded in agreement with the yeller.

“Indeed. But I assure you. There will be no cock-up here,” Jan continued, staring right at Davoren. “If my lovely assistant will join me on stage.” Jan waved her hand with a flourish for Felix to appear and he did. Instantly the crowd erupted in laughter. Felix was nothing like any magician’s assistant. He was the wrong age. The wrong height. The wrong look all around. Jan knew it and did it intentionally. Not only would she perform Davoren’s trick as well as he does but with an older and far less attractive woman to boot.

Jan continued her speech, letting the audience know exactly what they were seeing and what they were about to see. Charisma was so busy listening and learning and waiting for her cues that she didn’t notice Davoren has managed to slip away. Luckily, it wasn’t her job to notice his movements at this point. It was her job to make sure the trick happened correctly or they would all be in trouble.

Felix stepped inside the large rectangular box and four large locks were used to make sure it could not be opened. Then Jan and Charisma spun the box around twice to let the audience see there was no other means of escape, knocking on all the sides of the box to show there was no secret door.

On the last turn, the box was stopped, Jan said a few arbitrary magic words, the locks were removed and the door swung open to reveal Charisma stepping out of the box! The crowd cheered!

Right beneath the stage Felix was smoothing out his dress and awkwardly sliding across an oversized fluffy pillow that was placed there to catch his fall. 

“Let me through immediately!” Davoren shouted several yards away. 

“Excuse me sir,” said a deep voice charging at him at top speeds. A waiter holding a tray of drinks bumped into him, spilling them all onto his front. In the commotion he didn’t notice when an elderly woman stumbled past him, slipping her hand in his waist coat pocket and retrieving a notebook that was inside.

“I’ll have you fired for this!” The Great Davoren shouted.

“Dear me, what is all the fuss about?” Mr. Dingle said, appearing as if out of nowhere. “Hurry along and get fresh drinks for our guests. Mustn’t keep them waiting. I’ll take care of this.”

The waiter, keeping their head low, hurried away with an empty tray in their hand.

“What kind of incompetent staff are you running here?” Davoren continued to shout.

The old woman and waiter came together in the dressing room. She removed her wig and laughed. He shook his head and pulled off his waiters hat, letting long hair spill down around her shoulders.

“Now, that was fun!” Flossie said. A knock on the door startled them both. Flossie rushed to put her hair back up in her hat. She snapped her fingers at Felix to hurry up and put his wig back on before she opened the door, the empty tray in her hand as if pretending to leave. “If that will be all.” She ducked her head and tried to move past the person in the doorway without making eye contact but they kept moving with her to block her escape.

Gripping her by the arm, Flossie was forced back into the room and onto the couch beside Felix, whose wig was badly askew atop his head.

“You two better have a damn good explanation for why you weren’t at work today before I report you to the king myself!”