A Burning Illusion

Life Of Tricks & Artistry

I was searching deep inside the crystal ball. For a moment, I thought the glass resembled a cloud of smoke bursting.  Taking a breath, I sat back in my chair letting out a sigh. 

                                                              "What'd you see?" The middle-aged woman asked me. All I had to do left was sprinkle some more drama and it was hook, line, and sinker. 

I patted my hands on the edges of my chair and widened my dark eyes. Eh, why not go through my routine once more? I flashed my infamous smile and tilted my head, grabbing her attention more and more. 

                                                               "I see...love" My cheeks flushing, "A great love. Let me see if I can get more information. Well, it's showing me a man not too tall, not too short. Dark hair and ooh I'm getting the feeling he's quite attractive it can be a little hard to detect that in crystal balls you know" 

The woman clasped her hands together, eager to hear more. Clueless just like the rest. So, I cleared my throat and looked back in. I narrowed my eyes maybe a bit sooner than I normally would have but I could tell that there were spectators outside my tent trying to peer in. Of course, it was still in the afternoon and my tent was the most popular attraction so far. 

                                                              "He is much more than you could have dreamed of. Wait a minute...what's this?" 

                                                               "What? What is it?" She asked. 

  I shook my head, "I-I I'm trying to get a better reading in this to see more of your future love. There's something off about this pairing? It's about him...no wait it's the two of you. Oh no"

  My customer panicked to scoot closer into the table to the ball, "Oh no? What's wrong?! What do you see? Tell me" 

                                                                 "...I don't understand, it's gone. The crystal ball is no longer showing me anything. I'm sorry but-but I think our time is up." 

Frowning, I rested my hand to my forehead. To add to my disappointment, I rose up from my chair and folded my hands together, "I don't know what to say madam. Future gazing can be a very delicate matter, I would have loved to share more with you, unfortunately we're just cut from our time. My gift simply has been tied to the crystal; I can only see as much as I am allowed to. You gave me a nickel therefore my inner sight only shows me the amount that was offered." 

I began to take out my glittered silk, placing over the crystal ball as a gesture of the session being over. Slowly waiting if the woman will take the bait. 

                                                                  "Oh well that will have to be it. Besides I am taking up too much of your time and there are other's anxious to come in. Maybe you can come see me a little bit for my magic show but you better hurry, tickets are selling out quite fast" I looked over my shoulder to see the tent opening. Just then the woman chirped, digging through her coin purse frantically. 

                                                                   "No wait please!" 

                                                                   "Madam?" 

She fished out a quarter for me to see, "Here I have this! Please I need to know what happens, who is this man?"

A quarter? No, it just wouldn't be worth it. Given how frail the coin purse was and she showed up all by herself, I would be wasting more of my time. And judging from the people outside, my luck seemed more in favor for whatever they would pay for.