DEATH EMPRESS - JACK WILDER [1]

1: The Empress

     My skin burns as I walk out and expose myself to the scorching sun that beats down on the city of Miami. Growing up in Florida rendered me tolerant of the heat, enough for me to wear a sleek leather jacket and not pass out due to heat stroke. The clouds don't topple over us in the sky, indicating that rainfall isn't currently an issue for me as it always is. I've been planning to come down to the heart of the city and perform some street magic, strictly for the sole purpose of entertainment. In my opinion, that's what magic is all about; for the faces that light up when they find joy in something unexpected.

     Money isn't a motivation for me—it's actually been something known to burden my life and anyone that has gotten close to me has realized that. My family is unbelievably wealthy, automatically making me a contender for a large amount of inheritance whenever needed. It definitely has its perks, but mostly it's caused a large amount of separation between my parents and I. The money aided the beginning of my career as a magician, but my parents weren't so keen on the idea of monkey tricks when their beautiful daughter was capable of so much more. I love them, but they don't understand the purity behind what I'm trying to do.

     I keep walking through the busy sidewalks until I find a decent area where I feel comfortable in. I take out the deck of cards I stuffed in the back pocket of my jeans as I scope out the amount of people around me. I begin to shuffle them absentmindedly, waiting for the right moment to call an audience. I have a sort of indication in my gut that shows me the right people who will actually consider the possibility of magic—the type of people who will stop and take some time away from their days to watch a card trick in hopes of figuring it out.

     "Alright everybody," I begin loudly, making some heads turn in my direction. "If you would like to witness a little bit of magic, please gather around."

     I try to lure them towards me by playing with the cards and doing small but impressive hand tricks with them. Little children come running first, dragging their complying parents along with them. More adults gather in, a hint of curiosity coursing through them.

     I smile as I have a ring of people surrounding me from every direction. "First off, I need a volunteer." A few hands raise up, most of them being giddy 8 years old who jump up and down from the excitement they cannot contain. I end up picking a guy who seems to be in his mid-30s. Two children stand next to him on either side, smiling up at whom I presume is their father. "Sir, what is your name?"

     "Stanley," the man replies, stepping closer to me and away from the crowd. He definitely resembles a tourist while sporting a button down flamingo shirt with khaki shorts and brown sandals. His children stay behind with a fairly pretty brunette in a floral maxi dress.

     "Hello, Stanley. My name is Kate. Could you please help me out here?" I turn to Stanley and fan the deck of cards out in front of him. "Pick a card and show it to the audience but not to me, obviously."

     I look away and wait for Stanley to pick a random card and as he does I feel it is necessary to state the obvious to the audience.

     "I know what you're all thinking," I say to them. "This is quite possibly the oldest trick in the book, but bear with me. Stanley, put your card back in the deck." He complies, stepping back and letting me continue. "Okay, so, I'm going to be fair to you, Stanley. Most magicians cut the deck how ever many times they'd like. I want you to tell me how many times you want me to cut the deck."

     Stanley ponders for a moment before replying, "Five."

     "Alright, now hold out your hand." He does so, allowing me to cut the deck in his hands five times, each in different ways. "Now, is that alright? Are you satisfied?" He nods at my question, staring intensely at the cards. "Okay, I have a feeling it's...this one?" I pick up the card at the top of the deck which happens to be the queen of hearts.