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Jacques was already captivating the audience, expertly playing on their imagination. The stage, bathed in the glow of spotlights, seemed like an entirely different world to Nick, far from the backstage bustle and his usual cleaning duties. As they approached the stage, Devereux whispered hurriedly:
—No complicated tricks, you just need to get into the box and wait for Jacques to open it. Just don’t move or make a sound. When you go on stage, just smile and act like everything is under control, —Devereux whispered, nudging Nick forward. —And remember, it’s only a couple of minutes!
Nick was pushed into the blinding stage lights, where, for a moment, the audience turned into a blur. He squinted, feeling completely out of place. The audience began murmuring, frowning with obvious disappointment—it was clear to everyone that this wasn’t Jacques’ charming assistant, but a guy in an ill-fitting suit who looked more than a little lost.
Jacques, tall, charismatic, and confident, approached Nick with a friendly but visibly strained smile. With a practiced gesture, he put an arm around Nick’s shoulders and, turning him to face the audience, began speaking, quickly adapting to the situation with humor.
—My friends, —he began, raising his hand in a theatrical gesture, —everything is just fine. My usual assistant has found herself in… an unexpected adventure! Yes, yes! Sometimes even magic needs a few… surprises. Today, I present to you not an ordinary assistant! —He paused, allowing the audience to take in the unexpected twist. —But a real stage vagabond!
The audience chuckled as Jacques continued the joke, poking fun at Nick’s disheveled appearance.
—They say the stage vagabond appears only on a full moon and only on the most magical of nights, ladies and gentlemen! —Jacques addressed the crowd, smirking, —This man can disappear and reappear where you least expect him… usually by the buffet or at the ticket counter!
The audience burst into laughter, catching the hint at Nick’s awkward look. Nick, still embarrassed, stood there, unsure of what to do. Seeing his discomfort, Jacques nudged him toward the box with a playful grin.
—Well, vagabond, your time has come! Get in, —he commanded, giving Nick a theatrical pat on the shoulder. Nick took a deep breath and climbed in, feeling the door of the box slam shut and darkness envelop him.
Meanwhile, Jacques raised his voice theatrically as he spread his arms:
—Prepare yourselves for the great disappearance! Our vagabond will travel to a place where no circus buffet or ticket booth can find him! You are about to witness a mystery steeped in centuries of magical ritual!
The audience fell silent in anticipation, and as Jacques held a dramatic pause, he signaled the lighting crew. The lights dimmed, the stage was draped in darkness, and only flashes of colorful lights created an air of mystery.
In the third row, a woman sat calmly, dressed in an elegant, muted dark green gown, adorned with barely noticeable earrings that sparkled in the spotlight’s glow. Her face looked serene, but a strange glint flickered in her eyes—a mixture of boredom and barely concealed mockery. She watched the stage with a slightly raised eyebrow and a wrinkled nose.