Hitomi's Escape: Interlude Two

The Magician walks swiftly over to the glass milk 'can', where the chained and hooded assistant had been completely covered in quick-setting plaster before the lid was locked in place. He grabs a key from his pocket, and unlocks the rods securing the lid, and twists them hard to pull them out, then yanks on the lid, pulling it off. It breaks as it crashes on the stage. The Magician reaches towards the opening, pauses, then makes a fist and raps his knuckles on the plaster. It makes a dull plink sound. Hitomi has been permanently entombed within the hardened gypsum.

The Magician looks up, and calls offstage. "Help me, and bring the hammer!" Two of the remaining girls- Marisol and Robyn- rush out, along with two stage hands, dressed in black pants and shirts, with black caps. One carries a large sledge hammer. The girls and the stage hands help the Magician move the heavy container to the center of the stage, then stand back as he grabs the hammer. He raises it high, then smashes the glass. Pieces of glass fly across the stage, and a large crack appears in the hardened plaster. The Magician strikes the plaster again, and a third time, and the plaster breaks into a few large pieces, which dangle from the chains which have become embedded- revealing an empty cavity.

The Magician looks up as the stage hand who handed him the hammer steps to center stage, removes her hat, and smiles- it's Hitomi. She bows slightly, and waves, to thunderous applauds. "Thank you."

The Magician smiles as if this had been planned all along, takes her hand, and bows with her. "Ladies and gentlemen, Hitomi- escape artist extrordinaire!"

As the applauds slowly die, Hitomi makes her way off the stage, and the lights change. The Magician smiles. "Who here remembers the magic of childhood?" There are quite a few applauds. "Yes, I thought many of you would. And my next question- do you believe in fairies, ladies and gentlemen?"

(To be continued...)