Sleight of Hand

Unlike the simple outline, this one is far more in-depth. The is the result of taking my simple outline and expanding upon it considerably. I like to know approximately, how many chapters and how long the book will be when all is said and done. This is my breakdown of each “save the cat” beat into chapters and words. Be warned, this is nearly 7.5k words and not for the faint of heart to read.

NOTE: The actual novel will likely only follow about 15% of this actual outline. Again, I use outlines as breadcrumbs not as the “must be followed” blueprint. I am only sharing this as insight into the process by which I write a novel.

The content below was originally paywalled.

68k – 106.5k / 41 Chapters

A TRAVELER, A KING, AND A PRINCE [1k – 2k]

Tell the brief backstory about how these three people brought magic into the kingdom of Gladwick and the rest of the world. VERY brief tale. Also, must end with the prince growing up unable to learn card magic and thereby outlawing it when he becomes king.

King Malfus II | Born 1549 – Died 1611 (62)

Crowned King when he was 19 years old in the year 1568.

Son (Prince) was born when he was 26 in the year 1575.

Traveler arrived on the scene when he was 41 in the year 1590. On the prince’s 15^th birthday.

A MAGICIAN’S WAND [2k – 2.5k]

Charisma arrives home from an overnight shift at work. The sun has not begun to rise yet, and even though she is tired, she still wants to keep up with her nightly ritual of practicing in front of her mirror with a wand given to her by her father. Maybe he wakes up to get ready for work. Mention that he is a craftsman for the king who makes magicians wands. He reminds her, yet again, that she must be extra cautious about hiding that she has a wand. Women aren’t allowed to practice magic or to own a magician’s wand and besides all that, he’s heard that the Advisor is searching for a wanted man who’s been sighted in their village. He’s believed to be in possession of contraband and might be dangerous. He leaves her to her wand waving.

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR [1k – 2k]

Charisma isn’t thinking when she opens the door, wand still in hand, to find a wounded man on her doorstep. She helps him in and gets him cleaned up. She can tell he’s in really bad shape. Their kingdom is not very small, but she knows she’s never seen him before and realizes he must be the wanted man her father had just told her about. The man sees her magician’s wand on the floor that she forgot to conceal before she opened the door and decides to tell her who he is and with his last breath gives her a parcel that contains a journal and a deck of playing cards.

THE RETIRED MAGICIAN [2k – 3k]

Unsure of what to do as she has a dead man in her living room, Charisma runs next door as the sun is now fully risen and wakes her neighbor. Disheveled and annoyed Felix answers the door. He is not pleased to find a young girl on his doorstep. She tells him that her father is off to work but that there is trouble in her home, and he must help. He uses a cane. Describe his appearance here. He suggests they bury him however he can’t help her lift the body and suggests he enlist the help of a friend he trusts. He leaves and returns with a teenage boy that Charisma recognizes as she’s seen him around. Bit of a recluse. She discovers he doesn’t speak. Some traumatic event in his life. He gets groceries and does odd jobs around the house for Felix. Together they manage to move the dead body to Felix’s backyard and bury him.

THE JOURNAL [1k – 2k]

Once the body is buried and they are all enjoying a cool drink, Felix asks the quintessential question: Who is that man? The mute boy pulls a crumpled copy of the Gladwick Times from his back pocket and points to a headline about the man they just buried. Felix is extra pissed now. He didn’t realize he was conspiring to bury someone the king’s Advisor was looking for! Then Charisma shows him the journal and deck of cards the man gave her. Felix hurries them inside his house before anyone sees what she has. This is where Charisma quickly realizes that he’s a magician and he gives her a short answer about the fact that he’s retired and doesn’t want to discuss it further. She tells him the guy said to look for some such dude as he will know what to do with the journal and cards, etc. Felix never heard of the guy, but he knows who they could who would know. Only thing is, they will have to change their outward appearances first.

EMBER HALL [3k – 4k]

Felix in disguise and Charisma dressed as a man, with the mute boy in tow, make their way to Ember Hall. Here is where I can discuss that the Halls within Gladwick Kingdom are intended for magicians to use for rehearsal and practice before they perform in a theater. There are two halls located closer to the Colosseum that is utilized by troops specifically for that venue. Any halls outside of these two are designated for Theater performers. Describe the outside insignificant appearance of this hall as well as the bouncer who doesn’t say much but is standing guard at the door. He is carrying a gun. Felix produces a letter to the guard that gets them inside. He then lets the teenage boy who is at the desk just inside that he’s invited by The Great Davoren and shows him the letter. On the wall just behind the boy is a bunch of pictures of men who are not allowed inside any Hall or Theater. Charisma recognizes one of them as being Felix! But the name under his face is The Great Carnelias? The boy lets them go up in a lift. Describe how this pulley contraption works.

THE GREAT DAVOREN [2k – 3k]

Once on the floor of the troop they are looking for, let’s describe the sounds and smells. There are tall curtains that hang down from the ceiling in order to shield what is happening to anyone who steps off the elevator. But they can hear people talking and shouting and things being moved about. The person who manages the elevator shouts “COMPANY” before leaving. This silences the room immediately. A curtain opens and The Great Daroven emerges. Describe what he looks like and how warmly he greets Felix. Near slip of the tongue as he almost calls him by his stage name. Felix takes him aside to ask for his help while Charisma and the mute boy peek behind the curtain. Describe everyone on the other side milling about, smoking cigars, etc. waiting for the all-clear so they can return to what they are doing. The Great Daroven catches their curiosity and offers to show them a part of their act when overhead lights blink to signal trouble has just entered Ember Hall.

UNWELCOME INTRUDERS [1k – 1.5]

Everyone is very quiet, listening as whoever has entered the Hall is taken one floor at a time to search. Felix and The Great Daroven know immediately it must be the advisor to the king with some guards. He’s read the paper and knows the search is on for the man. But for the king’s guard to enter a Hall means it must be serious. They usually are not permitted unless it’s absolutely necessary. Daroven helps Felix, Charisma and the boy to escape through a secret passageway known only to the magicians who use the Hall. They leave just as the pulley system stops on the floor they were on. Felix can hear the advisor shouting orders for the guards to not leave one stone unturned.

THE BARRED MAN [2k – 3k]

Felix knows they can’t just be walking the streets. They need to get indoors but they are far from their homes. He overhears men walking past, talking about the king’s advisor just storming into a tavern. Felix realizes they can go there as the advisor will have already searched that tavern so it must be safe until they can figure out their next move. While in the tavern Charisma asks Felix why his picture was on that wall as someone who isn’t allowed to enter halls or theaters? Felix reveals a bit more about his past. That is to say, he tells her that he broke a law no magician is ever supposed to break. Here would be a good place to discuss the major rules that all magicians know. Like a pledge or code of honor that they vow to follow and if they should break it, then they can no longer be a magician. Charisma has the utmost respect for magicianary, especially as she hopes to be a magician someday (even though she knows women can’t be magicians). When she finds this out about Felix she no longer wants to trust or work with him. He tells her she’ll never get into the gambler’s shop without his help. Just because he’s excommunicated from halls and theaters doesn’t mean he’s without friends in VERY low places and they don’t come much lower than a gambler’s shop.

ANSIL [NAME OF THE GAMBLER’S SHOP] [1k – 2k]

The gambler’s shop is in a truly horrible part of town. But it’s open 24/7 as a haven for men who wish to lose their money and their hearts to women. It’s run by one man who employs only the best-looking women to be the waiters, the entertainment and the barkeep. It’s a well-known fact that magician’s or those who hold the king’s court would never be caught there. So, it’s no surprise when Felix and Charisma arrive, they should see the King’s guard are just outside. Ansil has a strict rule about not allowing guards into his place of business unless they have a search order from the King himself. However, the Advisor is allowed inside. The boy can’t go in as he is too young, so he waits outside while Felix and Charisma muscle up courage to walk past the guards and go inside. Describe the interior sort of like a saloon with round tables, loud and drunk men, a raised stage where women in scantily clad outfits are dancing and singing. There is a piano player and other musicians there. Felix asks the barkeep for the owner but he’s busy at the moment, so he and Charisma sit to watch the show that involves a dozen girls dancing about and singing. When it’s done, Charisma recognizes one of the girls and that girl recognizes her!

THE TERRIBLE DISGUISE [2k – 3k]

Joan/Flossie returns from backstage, with a bit more clothes on than she had before. She sits at Charisma’s table to ask what the hell she’s doing there. She tells her she needs to leave and looks over her shoulder to where the Advisor is seated. He’s too distracted talking intimately with another woman who was also on the stage earlier. Charisma tells her they are looking for some dude and if he’s been there recently? Joan recognizes the name and tell them she doesn’t know where he lives but Ansil would know as he is a frequent Underground user. But she cautions going anywhere near Ansil as he can’t be trusted and suggests they just wait till the sun sets as that is when this dude usually shows his face. Plus, during the morning and afternoon hours he spends his time in the underground. She whispers and explains what exactly the underground is. Felix doesn’t believe her! A place where magicians go to practice card magic? That’s impossible and illegal and would never happen. He’s friends with Ansil and surely their friendship would extend to being told such a secret. She intimates that perhaps his fall from grace is why Ansil didn’t trust him. They ask for her help in getting access to the underground. She explains the only way to get in is with a key.

THE UNDERGROUND [2k – 3k]

She takes them back to the dressing room area where all the girls change and so on, as one of the entrances to the underground is there. The main entrance is actually next door, but she explains that one they could never use as it’s the most heavily guarded. She gives Charisma a change of clothes and tells her that the disguise she has on just won’t work. If she’s dressed more feminine then they might get Ansil’s attention. And they do. Ansil wants to know what Flossie is doing down there. He didn’t call for a girl, let alone her. She introduces him to a “close friend” who needs a job. Describe the underground. A handful of men practicing card magic! Decks of cards everywhere. Some tables even having card games happening for money! Felix can’t believe it. He removes HIS disguise and Ansil is intrigued. Why should his friend enter his place in disguise? He knows something is up. They all sit at a table, Ansil sending Flossie back to work, and Charisma shows him the journal. He instructs her to put it away immediately and then takes them to his private office which is above ground.

A PROPOSITION [2k – 3k]

Felix wants to know from Ansil how long he’s been allowing card magic to happen under his shop and why he never told him. Ansil explains it was business not personal. See, Felix was really hurt when he was shunned by the community he grew up in and Ansil figured Felix might blab about the underground as a way to get back in good graces with the community. He couldn’t risk that. But Ansil is more interested in the journal that he was shown. They tell him who they are looking for and that they must find him quickly. Ansil tells them the bad news and shows them the death notices in the Gladwick Times. If they had just looked there, they could’ve saved themselves a lot of trouble sneaking around. The guy’s name was right there. He was found dead at his home. Ansil makes them a proposition. They should leave the journal with him and he’ll know exactly what to do with it. He would even cut them in on the profits he’d make. Charisma doesn’t like the idea. There’s something about Ansil she doesn’t like and can see why Joan said not to trust him. They try to leave but are unable to.

FINDER’S KEEPERS [1k – 2k]

Ansil has a guard outside his office who prevents them from leaving. He calls another to get the advisor for him as he might have some news on the man he’s looking for. Felix and Charisma need to act fast. Ansil tells them if they hand over the journal now, he’ll help them escape without notice and won’t tell the advisor about them. Felix makes Ansil promise he won’t hand it over to the advisor. Ansil tells him not to be stupid. Why would he hand over a gold mine? Felix tells Charisma to hand it over, that they’ll go back for it, he promises her. They hand it over and Ansil tells his guard to take them out the back. This is a dark tunnel with steps at the other end. They climb them and find they are in a bakery shop next door, reminding Felix that he is terribly hungry and picks up something for the mute boy as well.

MRS. POMROY [2k – 3k]

Filled with baked goods and ready for anything, Felix, Charisma, Joan/Flossie and the mute boy stop off at a local tavern to figure out their next move. Felix wants to retrieve the notebook mostly for his pride. His ego is bruised about Ansil. Charisma and Joan would sooner NOT interfere anymore. Charisma entertained the idea of learning card magic but as she knew nothing about it at all she feels less involved. Listening in the booth behind them is Mrs. Pomroy who butts into their conversation. She overheard them discussing card magic and feels compelled to say something. She turns her nose up at Joan (because of why she was dismissed) and turns her attention instead to Charisma. She tells her of a time long ago when King Malfoy brought magic to their kingdom and made it a part of their culture, and of the traveler who taught them all. Card magic was the key to captivating any audience. Only the most skilled and true magician can master it. To which the prince at the time was not. She promises not to breath a word of what she has heard but urges Charisma to reconsider walking away from an opportunity that may never present itself.

THE GLADWICK TIMES [3k – 4k]

A news boy shouts news about the opening day for the competition and how invitations have already been sent by the royal family. It’s tradition for the newspaper to print the names of those who’ve received invitations. One year the royal family released the names to the paper instead of sending personal invites. Felix mentions the rumor was that the royal family was running low on funds and couldn’t afford the paper! He sends the mute boy to buy a paper and he reads the front-page article to them. To which Joan wonders aloud if entering the competition and effectively winning with card magic wouldn’t be an excellent idea?

Further into the paper are small articles about the magic troops who have signed up already. The deadline to enter is less than 48hrs away so they will need to act fast if they want to enter. This is where we learn about the other troops. Their particulars such as name, lead magician, the set-up of all usual troops. 

A man rushes into the tavern for a stiff drink. They overhear him telling the barman how the advisor beat the living tar out of Ansil and trashed the place. Nearly set it on fire! It’ll take him months to rebuild! Luckily, he only destroyed everything above ground. Felix smiles and tells the others “tonight would be the most opportune time to pay our local menace a visit.”

A FOOL-PROOF PLAN [1k – 2k]

The time has come where the three of them decide to sneak into the gambler’s shop and take back the journal and deck of cards he stole. They find “Rick” nearly beaten to death. His place of business is worse than they heard. He tells them it was a message from the King’s advisor to anyone thinking they could get away with hiding from the law. It will not be tolerated. As greedy for money as “Rick” is, he hates the advisor even more. Ansil hid the journal and deck of cards, though he jokes that he didn’t even have to. The idiot advisor had no idea the journal was even there. He was after tearing the place down to send a message and wouldn’t have recognized a deck of cards if it were thrown in his face. He gives them the journal and deck of cards as he would have no real use for them now.

REVENGE [1k – 1.5k]

On their way out of the gambler’s shop to head home and pack some things they are met by the King’s Advisor and his men. Charisma makes sure the journal and cards are safely hidden on her. The Advisor doesn’t care about Charisma or Joan or the mute and sends them on their merry way. He’s after Felix. He’d heard that Felix was seen moving about the kingdom more than ever before and he wondered why? The Advisor reminds Felix that if he ever wants to get back in good graces with the King or even have a sliver of a chance to be welcomed into the colosseum again, he better be more helpful and not interfere with their search. It’s a rather heated exchange. As if they know each other from way back. Perhaps the Advisor and Felix are of similar age. One became a famed (and then shamed) magician while the other just never made it as a magician and went on to be the King’s advisor.

THE GOODBYE [1k – 1.5k]

When Charisma walks into her home she finds her father waiting up for her, worried. Their home had been ransacked. Turns out everyone in their tiny village in the kingdom had their homes broken into and searched. He asks her where she’s been and if she’s okay. She lies and tells him she’s been helping Mrs. Pomroy set up and that she is urgently needed to assist in getting the competition ready in the castle, so she’ll be gone for a couple of weeks. She’ll be staying with Mrs. Pomroy. Her father notices Charisma putting her wand in her satchel. He wants to ask her why she would need it where she’s going cause it’s dangerous should anyone find it on her, but he says nothing about it. Instead he sees her off and watches from the window as he daughter sneaks into the yard of their neighbor’s home.

MARANIGAN’S MAGIC SHOP [2k – 3k]

Joan lives above Maranigan’s Magic Shop! It’s currently owned by a descendent of Maranigan himself; his great, great, great, granddaughter. Her birth, like all Maranigan births, was a secret. There has always been a male Maranigan to run the Magic Shop. What no one ever knew, was this wasn’t exactly true. In fact, the last 3 generations of Maranigan’s have been women! It wasn’t until this present Maranigan that she has not found herself a husband, and therefore, she lives the majority of her life dressed and speaking like a man. So much so that she (he) at one point has a “lover” who turns out to be Joan. They are no longer together, but she lets Joan remain living in the flat “for appearances.”

TRESPASSING [1k – 2k]

The following morning, they all wake to the smell of delicious eggs and bacon and also to the sound of horse hooves and chain mail. Maranigan looks out his window to see the advisor and his men outside. They are not allowed inside, not even the advisor. Maranigan shouts down to ask what the devil they want so early in the morning. The advisor asks for permission to enter and Maranigan scoffs. He dresses, assures his visitors they are fine but should stay away from the windows and rushes downstairs. Joan/Flossie goes to the window to see what is happening. Maranigan is known to most of the villagers to be a bit of a lady’s man. Or at least one lady. The advisor makes lewd comments about it and asks Maranigan if he’d heard or seen anything strange recently. Also asks if there is anyone else other than Flossie upstairs as he believes he may have seen her in the company of some less than decent people only last night. Of course, Maranigan denies seeing anything and suggests the advisor do his snooping and investigating somewhere else or the King will hear about their trespassing. The advisor gives a warning, looks up at Flossie to wink at her, before leaving with his men.

A TRANSFORMATION [1k – 2k words]

With breakfast consumed and the advisor gone, Maranigan decides to close his shop as there is work to be done. Charisma wants to start reading the journal but there is something even more pressing. She needs to be transformed, properly, from looking like a woman into looking like a proper man. Who better than Maranigan? It’s obvious to everyone there that she’s the only one that can and should do it. That stranger died on her doorstep. It’s only fitting. The mute boy leaves when they start to undress Charisma and Felix excuses himself to look around the shop that he hadn’t stepped inside of for a long time.

A MURDERER [2k – 3k]

The mute boy returns in a state of anger and alarm. He’s clutching the paper and refuses to show it to Felix who is trying to calm him. He rushes upstairs where Maranigan is putting the finishing touches on Charisma and hands her the paper. On the cover it shows that the Great Carnelian is wanted in connection with a murder! A dead body was discovered buried on his property and it appears the now disgraced magician has vanished. This could spell trouble. Maranigan knows the story of Carnelian and what happened but she won’t say anything. Instead, Felix makes a joke that she’ll now have to disguise him as a woman! He then changes the subject to a pamphlet his had been reading downstairs that goes over the rules of the competition. Turns out they have changed a bit since his day. For starters the number required to have a full troop has changed! The rules of sponsoring a troop have changed. As well as the length of time for one set and number of tricks performed has changed. 

This is a good place to go over those rule changes and the discussion of who they could possibly enlist to help them. What worries Charisma is the fact that she doesn’t know any magic at all.

MAGIC 101 [2k – 3k]

Joan leaves to make some inquiries about how much the advisor knows of the dead man and the whereabouts of Felix while the rest of them work on trying to teach Charisma how to do the most basic of magic tricks. Again, the much rather just learn card magic, but as the rules state, they cannot rely on one type of magic for a set.

Here is where the different styles of magic could be discussed, and some time is spent downstairs in Maranigan’s shop. He then takes them to his basement where it turns out he has an unused room that was once used as a Hall, back before Halls were a normal thing. Magic troops would practice in underground bunkers like that, in secret, so their rivals wouldn’t know what their best trick would be at the competition.

THE GRIM THEATER [2k – 3k]

Joan returns with tickets for all of them to the Grim Theater! What on earth for? Well, one of their competitors will be performing there and she figured it would be a good idea to size up the competition. And it would give Charisma and Felix a chance to test out their newly improved transformations. They all get dressed up for going out and Charisma is glad for that as she has not been doing too well learning the kind of magic they have been teaching her. 

While at the theater Maranigan recognizes a reporter for the Gladwick Times who immediately rushes over. Maranigan at a Theater is about as unexpected as the King in a gambler’s shop! The two just never come together. It’s common knowledge that Maranigan considers himself too good for the kind of performances that take place in Grim Theater. In fact, he would normally only be seen in the Colosseum to see one performance each year, the first showing of the winning troop from the King’s competition. So, what is he doing there? The writer tries to get an exclusive and is met with silence. During intermission Maranigan remembers how he knows this particular journalist. He decides to do a little mutual exchange. The writer agrees to join his troop and in return will get an exclusive to write about the very first of its kind troop sponsored by Maranigan himself! How could the writer refuse such a proposition?

MARANIGAN’S TROOP [1K – 2K]

They all return to Maranigan’s shop where Felix gets the feeling that someone is watching them, though it’s too late at night to know for sure. The next morning Maranigan gets money and a letter with his seal on it. This is to be his letter of sponsorship for the troop he’s entering into the competition. Today is the last day to enter and only the person sponsoring must personally enter a troop. While at the castle he’s stopped by the guard and escorted to see the advisor who was expecting Maranigan. They have an interesting back and forth. He despises the entire Maranigan lineage. How they think they are better than everyone else because they have the protection of the King. But all that will end when he is able to prove that the journal is in the shop! He’s also fascinated by the fact that a Maranigan has started a troop. That has never happened.

THE LAST RESORT [2k – 3k]

When Maranigan returns home it’s not looking good. The writer wants out of the deal and Felix is just holding his head. Charisma cannot learn basic magic! But and however, she can do card magic! When no one was looking (mostly at night) she had been reading the journal and so far, has completed some tricks brilliantly. But for the competition that will not do. And the writer is a mere amateur when it comes to performing magic. What they need is a name. A magician to join their troop who can do the magic that Charisma can’t and at least get them through enough rounds before they unleash their secret weapon; card magic.

For this, Felix knows who they can ask. Most of his original troop were able to find new troops to join or jobs at least closely related to magic in some way. It was just he and one other magician who didn’t end up so lucky. For Felix he was actually shunned. For the other magician, he simply left the public eye altogether. Why? I’ll figure that out once I get to this point. Felix suggests someone else send for him and that they include a bottle of the best alcohol. His former friend always loved to drink.

THE GREATER MAGICIAN [2k – 3k]

When Felix’s former colleague is sent for, he rushes over, unaware that Felix is behind it all. Turns out he’s not the drunk that Felix remembered him to be. In fact, he doesn’t drink anymore and when he arrives thanks them for what he can now serve at his next dinner party to his guests. This former magician has gone into the family business and is now a banker of sorts. He’s well dressed, well spoken, and clearly has done well for himself after the fall out. So why did he accept the invitation? I think Felix should be in his disguise. He makes them think it’s for rehearsal, but really, he knows that if his former colleague discovers who really sent for him, he’ll never work with them. Of course, this guy asks how they even know him to be a former magician. Felix goads him by saying he was clearly not at fault and the better magician and was there in the audience when it all happened. Felix slips and reveals something that only someone in the troop would know, not an audience member, and this dude realizes it. He rips off the wig or something like that!

There’s a huge fight that happens. Insults are slung back and forth. It’s stopped when Charisma steps in and puts the journal in the new guy’s face. He’s speechless. In the end he agrees to help them, for the art of magicianary. But he cautions them not to let Felix anywhere near or on the stage as it can prove to be their undoing.

THE ADVISOR’S WARNING [2k – 3k]

With rehearsals underway, I think even more montage-type scenes are in order. At some point the new guy gets them tickets to a much better theater in the upper district (ie closer to the colosseum). While there, an announcement is made in the theater before the beginning of the show. This is not a regular occurrence, but it has been known to happen. It’s a great way for a message from the King or his Advisor to reach the people in lieu of reading it in the Gladwick Times. This announcement comes from the Advisor. A warning to all those invited to the King’s castle or performing therein: All persons will be subject to search and immediate arrest if they are caught in possession of any items that are deemed illegal. The announcer then proceeds to list out what some of those illegal items are. The final announcement is a reminder that a murderer is still at large, and anyone seen helping him will face a similar punishment when caught.

The team notices that the Advisor is present in the King’s box of the theater and sitting beside him is Ansil still looking battered and bruised. He appears to be surveying the crowd instead of watching the show. His eyes are scanning the audience, clearly looking for someone. He points in their general direction and they decide during intermission they will have to leave, and fast. When intermission comes, they can’t escape and Joan/Flossie is taken under suspicion that she was last seen with the wanted man.

A NEW TROOP [2k – 3k]

Their purpose for the visit to this theater was to size up one of the better competitors; the winners of last year’s competition. They have entered again for a chance to be the main act at the colosseum. Word reaches this troop that the new troop everyone in the kingdom has been talking about is present in the theater. This leads to a stand-off between the winners and the new guys outside the theater. Insults are thrown and a bit of sidewalk magic is performed, to which the onlookers are excited to see. Back in the early days of magic, this is how they would fight. Each magician would perform a trick and the one that got the most reaction from the crowd was considered the victor and then they would walk away. Actual fighting with fists and weapons, at least within the magician community, never happened. Eventually, the fight is broken up by the King’s Advisor and his men telling both sides to go home and save their “acts” for the King.

A NEW MAGICIAN [2k – 3k]

The new troop returns to the Grim Theater, but not to sit in the audience, this time to actually be IN the show. The new guy called in a favor with the owner to give them ANY slot on the bill. They need the real-world experience if they even hope to stand a chance. On the morning of the big day, Flossie/Joan returns to them. She’s been interrogated for the past three days and her face shows it. Maranigan nurses her and cleans her wounds while the others argue over what tricks they should put in their evening performance. They need Charisma to remain their secret weapon so who should take the lead of the troop? It was going to be Felix but now that the new guy is there, he feels it should be him. As Maranigan is sponsoring the troop they leave the decision in his hands. In the end, he decides to make it the writer, who is SHOCKED! He’s never been a full magician; he doesn’t even own a wand! To which Maranigan presents him with one. A heartwarming and light moment. Needed since we are nearing the end and going to ramp up the stakes a bit!

THE GRIM AFFAIR [3k – 4k]

The time has come for their show! There’s nervousness all around. As Flossie/Joan is a woman, she sits out with the audience. She’s not allowed backstage. The mute boy is their assistant, the writer is dressed in his finest clothes, as are Felix, and the new guy. Maranigan and Charisma are both virtually unrecognizable and ready to go. 

Let’s just delve into a full magic act here. The emotions that each magician in their own right feels before they get on stage, while they are on stage and when it’s all over. The hype and adrenaline rush. I also want to have a moment, though, where the new guy and Felix are having a side conversation after it’s all done where they think no one is listening. Charisma and the mute boy overhear them talking about how she’s not ready. The new guy makes a statement like “she’ll never be a magician” or “this is why it’s a man’s world.” Something like that. Tension ensues!

HE SPEAKS [2k – 3k]

Charisma spends the rest of their time together studying the journal and practicing for hours. Whenever the new guy says something to her, she snaps at him or ignores him altogether. There’s clearly some tension, Felix and Maranigan can feel it, but they don’t know why.

The day before the competition begins the castle is opened to all performers so they can bring in any equipment they might need during their time on stage. It had been decided that the mute boy and the writer would be the ones to take their equipment but at the last minute, Charisma insists on going in the writer’s place. After much discussion they let her go.

On the road is when the mute boy speaks up and tells Charisma that he had always wanted to be a magician, but not until he has been watching her and what she hopes to accomplish did he feel it was actually possible for him. He also tells her not to pay any mind to that new guy who is a magician of the past. She’s going to bring about a new wave of magic and it’s gonna be awesome! This makes them the closest of friends.

A FEW BAD TROOPS [2k – 3k]

The invited guests are arriving but unlike previous years it’s taking longer as they are subject to search. No one is allowed within the castle walls with anything that can be used to inflict harm if it isn’t already on the list of illegal items. It’s surprising to witness a few invited guests arrested on the spot! The nerves increase. On the other side of the castle, where the troops are being allowed in, they are searched as well, and informed that the items they brought in days earlier were thoroughly searched as well. This infuriates several troops who demand to air their grievances before the King for such intrusion on their belongings. These troops are removed from the roster which silences the others who are still clearly angry at the entire situation. Charisma didn’t bring the journal as they knew it would be far too dangerous to have on hand. 

The deck of cards is either hidden on her or was hidden with their things that they brought earlier. Either way, the deck is not found.

What was meant to be a competition with a dozen troops was dwindled down to just 5 after the troops who broke some laws or showed anger were removed.

THE FIRST TRICK [1k – 2k]

The King’s competition begins with some announcements about the rules. Unlike a theater performance, the reaction of the crowd is taken very seriously by the King. He does not always agree with who they cheer for the loudest, but he does rely on their judgement as they are the ones he seeks to entertain with the Colosseum. Once the rules are laid out, the first troop hits the stage. Their first trick barely gets an applause. The king gives a thumbs down and the troop are escorted off the stage. If the act gets some reaction after every trick, then they don’t need to wait for judgement from the king. If they get no reaction, he decides if they may try something else or leave.

THE SECOND MISTAKE [1k – 2k]

Backstage the nerves are mounting. The next troop is ferried onto the stage and a mistake, not as bad as what Felix did, but very close, happens. The crowd gasps. This is NOT a good reaction. And the troop is taken away with the one who made the mistake actually arrested! 

With three troops left and the King looking bored it couldn’t get worse. Then it does. The advisor appears backstage. Highly irregular. He wants to wish the remaining troops luck and inform them that he is very close to finding the great Carnelias as he believes he is close by and that they should all be vigilant as they wouldn’t want to fall victim to the curse that follows him.

MARANIGAN’S TRICK [2k – 3k]

It’s time for the fledgling troop to take the stage. The previous winners have the honor of going last. The new troop are second to last. While on stage doing some tricks that are getting applaud from the crowds, Charisma notices that Ansil is now backstage pointing at her and Felix. She manages to get Maranigan’s attention as they did devise a plan of what to do if they were uncovered. He quickly takes the lead from the writer to perform a disappearing act. The crowd groans slightly as they’ve seen this done a million times. But this trick will not only make Felix disappear, it will make Flossie/Joan (who is no longer seated in the stands) appear in his place. A woman on the stage? Unheard of and VERY distracting! Just enough of a distraction for Felix to get away.

THE LAST MISTAKE [1k – 2k]

With Felix gone they decide to hold onto the Advisor’s attention by performing the trick that no troop will ever perform as it brings with it the curse of Carnelian. It’s the trick he accidentally revealed back when he was at the highlight of his career. Almost everyone knows what the illusion is, so to perform it can spell the end for any troops career. Of course, the Advisor ignores Ansil trying to tell him that the dude who disappeared is literally gone. The Advisor believes what they hoped he would: Carnelian is one of the people on stage trying to redeem himself by getting this magic trick right. They pull it off and, in the distraction, no one noticed the next trick being set up in front of the stage by Charisma who shouts to get the audience’s attention and holds up a deck of cards!

THE SENTENCE IS DEATH [2k – 3k]

The advisor and guards rush the stage to stop what is happening immediately. The King stops him, he wants to see some card magic. The advisor reminds him of how illegal just owning the deck is and reminds him of the ancestors he would be trampling on if he allows this to go on. The king looks down at Charisma and tells her that she better not make him regret his decision. He orders the advisor to step down and lets her continue. She performs several tricks and involves the invited guests from the front row. They are all absolutely captivated and amazed. 

The advisor is fuming! To lose face in front of the king is not good. When all the troops are completed the king must decide who the winner is. He calls out the new troop and makes a speech about how they have broken a law which is punishable by death which he fully intends on carrying out, under one condition: they may avoid the gallows if they agree to ONLY perform card magic at the colosseum and they are to teach no one what they have learned.

THE LAST REQUEST [1k – 1.5k]

The new member of their troop agrees on their behalf, but they have one stipulation to add: that Carnelian the great be absolved of the false crimes that have been heaped upon him by a jealous advisor.

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES Epilogue [1k – 2k]

The mute boy arrives at Maranigan’s shop where he is now working there as an apprentice to read to him the morning’s headline: Carnelian is not a murderer! 

And an even better article than that is the new troop who won the King’s competition and will be the new headliners at the colosseum, the ONLY place where card magic can be seen LIVE!