This Magic Moment

The Lady Vanishes. It was an old illusion, given a modern twist, and never failed to leave the audience gasping. 

The glittery crowd at Radio City was as eager to be duped as a group of slack-jawed rubes at a

dog and pony show.

Even as Roxanne stepped onto the glass pedestal she could feel their anticipation—the silvery edge of it that was a merging of hope and doubt glued together with wonder. Those inching forward in their seats ranged from president to peon.

Magic made equals of them all.

Honest Illusions

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By Glueballs - Own work, Public Domain, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8283189

Magic allows you to experience the impossible. It creates a conflict between the things you think can happen and the things that you experience. While some magicians would like you to believe that they possess real magical powers, the true secret behind magic lies in clever psychological techniques that exploit limitations in the way our brains work. Many of these limitations are very counter-intuitive which is why we can experience the magical wonder of the impossible.

THE CONVERSATION

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He gave a small laugh and shuffled the cards gently. 

“Mumbo jumbo, Miss Swan. A device to keep someone's attention focused 

and to add mystery to quick thinking and observation. 

Most people prefer to be fooled. Explanations leave them 

disappointed. Even most realists.”

.......


He managed to keep his face seriously composed as he stripped off his shirt. “The mind wants to believe the impossible,” he continued as he went into the bath to wash. “Yet it doesn‟t. Therein lies the fascination. If the impossible is not possible, then how was it done before your eyes and under your nose?”

This Magic Moment

Nora's Birthday,This Magical Moment

“Happy birthday!"

Ryan‟s eyes widened in surprise. Bess, still in costume, opened a bottle of champagne while Link did his best to catch the spurt of wine in a glass. Speechless, Ryan stared at them.
“Happy birthday, Ryan.” Pierce kissed her lightly.
“But how …” She broke off to look up at him. “How did you know?”
“Here you go.” Bess stuck a glass of champagne in Ryan‟s hand, then gave her a quick squeeze. “Drink up, sweetie. You only get one birthday a year. Thank God. The champagne‟s from me—a bottle for now and one for later.” She winked at Pierce.
“Thank you.” Ryan looked helplessly into her glass. “I don‟t know what to say.”
“Link‟s got something for you, too,” Bess told her.
The big man shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned to him. “I got you a cake,” he mumbled, then cleared his throat. “You have to have a birthday cake.”
Ryan walked over to see a sheet cake decorated in delicate pinks and yellows. “Oh, Link! It‟s lovely.”
“You have to cut the first piece,” he instructed.
“Yes, I will in a minute.” Reaching up, Ryan drew his head down until she could reach it on tiptoe. She pressed a kiss on his mouth. “Thank you, Link.”
He turned pink, grinned, then sent Bess an agonized look. “Welcome.”
“I have something for you.” Still smiling, Ryan turned to Pierce. “Will you kiss me, too?” he demanded.
“After I get my present.”
“Greedy,” he decided and handed her a small wooden box.
It was old and carved. Ryan ran her finger over it to feel the places that had worn smooth with age and handling. “It‟s beautiful,” she murmured. She opened it and saw a tiny silver symbol on a chain. “Oh!”
“An ankh,” Pierce told her, slipping it out to fasten it around her neck. “An Egyptian symbol of life. Not a superstition,” he said gravely. “It‟s for luck.”

This Magic Moment

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Happy Birthday, Nora!!