( 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?

[wilders]

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

[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?

[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?

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.]

[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.

[precautions]

Wow, did you even pause to take a breath?

[ Thirteen year old sass-machine, get. ]

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. ]

[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. ]

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?

[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.

[wilders]

[ Oh, but he is. An eyebrow quirks, and Jack can't seem to do much more than shake his head in amusement at him. ] And I'm sure he'd just love to hear you call him a puppy.

[ Even after all the time they spent together executing what was, quite literally, the most impressive magical performance in the world, Jack still can't seem to look away from Daniel when he does even the simplest of tricks. It's that inner diehard fan coming out to feed the other's ego, reminding him why he pursued magic further.

But don't tell Daniel that – his head might explode. ]

Oh, right. Yeah, that's exactly what I meant. Are you sure you're not the mentalist? Because I am just baffled at your ability to see into my mind.

[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.

[cacklebladder]

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

[interpreting]

[ He frowns, but it's a brief pull at the corners of his mouth. More quirks to his thought process, rather than a glimpse into the depths of Daniel Atlas' mind. ] You have to admit, there is a slight anatomically canine resemblance in our Mentalist friend.

[ As if reading along with Jack's expression, Daniel lifts a candle from the coffee table. Sure enough, the quarter he's been flipping through his fingers shines underneath, caked between wax and glass. He doesn't speak of it; instead, he sets down the candle and simply grins. ]

There's a — [ He places his hands to the side of his head, then raises one towards Jack. He squints, putting his mouth in the way Merritt does when he's concentrating. The rest is cheap imitation: ] fifty/fifty chance that you're right. Uh, something glaringly obvious in regards to your childhood. When I snap my fingers you'll forget we ever had this conversation, aaaaand — surprise, you're fifty dollars in debt.

Thank you, thank you. Here til' Thursday. Or, you know, until I find better living conditions to suit my occasional alcoholism.

[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.

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.

[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.

[wilders]

What, in the way that he drools every time he looks at Henley? [ His grin is wide, and he even laughs a bit. ] Yeah, I think you're right.

[ Jack really should've seen this coming and waited until he was comfortable to set Daniel off, because this right here? It was inevitable. ] Oh, are we doing this? Right now? Okay. [ He grins before his face takes on a shocked look, now falling seamlessly into the role of one of Merritt's many past volunteers. Until he's finished up of course, and the look of bedazzlement is gone immediately, as though he actually had just woken up from hypnosis.

He claps once, twice, three times, very slowly, face entirely deadpan all the while. Jack waits until he knows Daniel's finished before he speaks, arms now crossing over his chest. ]

Bravo! I have just one question for you: are you sure magic is your niche? Your acting career could be promising, if you look past the fact that you'd be one of those one-type-of-role guys. [ He tilts his head now, squinting a bit in contemplation. He nods to himself, deciding that he has, in fact, got Daniel pegged. ] You know, the ones that are always really quiet looking, but are actually a huge pain in the ass? Definitely you.

[interpreting]

It's a soft blow, very touch and go overall, but points for execution. [ You can try, Henley, you can try. ]

Don't tell me she's already worried about your terms of cooperation.

[interpreting]

[ He ignores the question in reference to Henley, but there's a flash of annoyance against bright blue eyes. It passes, as it always does, and the conversation carries on more in terms of the lighthearted than anything else. ]

It's been considered — [ He imitates modesty, waving a hand back and forth. The truth is, of course, there was never anything else but this. Magic has, and always would be, Daniel's life. There was no doubt about that.

But when you spend a lifetime besting others, lying becomes an art form rather than just another verb. They act more than they realize, or perhaps that's all just part of the show. Either way, a magician is a performer. Albeit a performer of the highest calibre. ]

Wow. Thank you. That's a huge compliment coming from your go-to pretty boy with a pinch of jock and just an added dash of playground bully. [ He points at Jack, squinting as his grin spreads, smugness seeping on his expression like poison. ]

I regret to inform you that we've missed our true calling.

[escaper]

What is this, America's Got Talent? Not looking for kudos from you. [ Anymore. Maybe. Sometimes. Whatever. ]

Oh, now, are you suggesting I'm the stubborn one?

[interpreting]

Well, in the case you decide to change your mind, I'll be sure to rescind the offer when it's most unhelpful for you.

—I thought that was clear. Was that not clear?

[brazenly]

Well, aren't you an eager one.