( didn't stand a chance. | now you see me )

[interpreting]

What were you expecting? A congratulations, a pat on the back?

You've made it this far, sure, but — if you think that this is it, you're mistaken. Why? There's a simple answer. In case you weren't aware, — which, something tells me you very much are; how many times did that make? Three? — I wasn't exactly made to sit on the sidelines. What I do — what we do — doesn't come without its price. That price, in your case, just so happens to be both time and focus.

You're panicking. It's too soon for panicking. After all, what's an act like ours without a little faith? What this is, essentially, is my extending trust. Give me a chance. [ He holds up a single, thin finger, accentuating his point. ] One chance, not two.

Allow me to show you what life is like from my point of view. Live a little dangerously. Pick a card. Turn a phrase. Flip a coin. If you stick with me, I can promise you won't be bored. Boredom is for the boring. And me? I'm a magician.

I don't know the meaning of the word.

Comments

[escaper]

[ She's not going to ask if he loves the sound of his own voice, because, well. ]

So, how many times did you practice that one in the mirror?

[interpreting]

[ He glances toward the ceiling, counting idly on his fingers. ]

Once, twice — No more than three times. [ He wags that same finger leading the count in her general vicinity. ] Know your audience, remember?

[escaper]

Wow, new record. [ She smiles, but in that way where it just looks painted on and doesn't quite reach her eyes. ] Not really an audience though, is it? More of a man-behind-the-curtain kinda deal.

[interpreting]

If you're suggesting that the man-behind-the-curtain is someone other than myself, I might actually find it somewhere in me to be offended. [ Always demanding of the upper hand, our Daniel. At least, he would be were it not already his. ]

It's cute that they think they're the ones with the ace up their sleeves. By cute I mean disheartening and a little embarrassing, but an attempt is made.

[escaper]

I am, but I think your oh-so-delicate ego can take the insinuation. [ And forever there to knock him down a peg. ]

I don't know, [ shrug. ] I can give them a little credit since some of us are harder to work with than others.

[wilders]

—And you're absolutely sure you're not boring?

[interpreting]

Do you remember that fresh-faced little scoundrel that couldn't stop shaking my hand upon first meeting me? —What happened to that kid? I liked that kid. Who's this cynical old coot with jokes?

[wilders]

Maybe he spent just a little too much time with someone that just wouldn't stop talking about himself. [ And there's that smirk again. You know the one. The one that all but screams smug little bastard. ] That kinda thing changes people, y'know.

[ A beat. ]

...And scoundrel? Seriously? What are you, my grandpa?

[interpreting]

[ You can't possibly be referring to Daniel, Jack. He slips a quarter over his knuckles in contemplation, tilting his head this way, then that way as he thinks. ] I know. Merritt's a lot to handle, but deep down, he's just sensitive. A puppy, at most.

[ He flips the coin in the air by way of his thumb. When he catches it, he slaps it down on the back of his hand and holds up his palms, quarter vanished. Not meant to impress, simply a practice technique. ] If by grandpa you mean devilishly handsome and all-too-charming partner in both crime and the wonders of mysticism, then yes. That's exactly what I am.

i didn't know who else to bother him with ok... also it's the start of a great joke

[whatdoyouknow]

[A magician and a sexbot walk into a bar-- okay, not a bar, into this abstract space that comprises Dear_Mun, but close enough.]

A magician? Our occupations are similar, Mr. Atlas. The predisposition to bring complete strangers to. New. Heights.

[But only orgas-- organics-- humans believe in magic. Joe's not naive. It isn't in his programming.]

you know what? I'll take it.

[interpreting]

[ A robot — okay, well. That's new. Literally and probably figuratively speaking, at any rate. This place has a tendency to bring the unexpected together; he knows to expect that. ]

Is that right? Huh. Interesting. This is the part of our show where I ask you to elaborate on that specific similarity.

[ He waves a long hand at a chair. Take a seat, RoboJoe. ]

yes you will. because you love me.

[whatdoyouknow]

[A seat, and Joe is a fair hand at taking direction. With a flourish, he sits, the tail of his coat flared out as he primly crosses his legs at the knee.]

You want to excite people, don't you? Show them wonders like none they've seen before?

do I?

[interpreting]

[ He folds his hands on the table, but it won't do any good. In just a few moments, they'll be flying left and right due to explanation of something — anything.

At Joe's questions, there's a hint of a spark in his eyes. His shoulders shrug in an oxymoron. Sarcasm abounds: ]

It's a thankless job, but like they say, somebody has to do it.

[precautions]

Wow, did you even pause to take a breath?

[ Thirteen year old sass-machine, get. ]

[interpreting]

I don't know, did I? [ He points. ] Aren't you the psychic?

[ Thirteen year old sass-machine, meet twenty-something year old man-child. ]

[precautions]

I'm not a psychic, [ and it comes out a little bratty, but it's not her fault he's being a gigantic dickbag. ] I can't read your thoughts or move stuff. I just see— future stuff.

[interpreting]

Future stuff. [ He repeats and it sounds mildly unimpressed. The idea of someone who can see the future, though, does actually interest him. But no one does veiled intrigue like J. Daniel Atlas. ]

I don't know if you know this, but that constitutes, on some level, as psychic.

[cacklebladder]

[ Blithely: ] Wasn't aware we were structuring these like job interview now.

[interpreting]

[ A brief squint — the face catches him off guard, but only momentarily. Not quite the Droid he's looking for. One of this place's many quirks.

Have a boomerang of smug, Stephen. ] Well, I could have easily distracted her with playing cards and a wave of my magic wand, but I like to think they aren't all so easily dismissed.

That and I'm increasingly fond of my own voice.

[cacklebladder]

I couldn't tell.

[ And then, Stephen Bloom with the really hard-hitting questions: ] You use a wand?

[interpreting]

No? That's unfortunate.

[ Homerun, Mr. Bloom. ] Only when I'm feeling particularly sarcastic.

[brazenly]

Well, aren't you an eager one.

[interpreting]

That would depend on the source of said eagerness. [ A headtilt, a quick raise of his brows. ] That's not something one just throws around all willy nilly.

[brazenly]

You tell me. You're the one asking for the opportunity to prove himself.

[interpreting]

I see, okay. So, you think that by asking for the opportunity, I was being eager.

When, in fact, by partaking in the act of actually asking, I was really securing the chance to prove myself simultaneously. Thereby asserting an answer in the positive before ever having any answer, either negative or otherwise, provided to me.

But what do I know? I'm just some guy with a card or two up his sleeve.