“Mr. Houdini, it seems you are
charged with… making the Tower of London disappear?”
“A misunderstanding, your Honour.”
“A misunderstanding?”
“Quite so. All that has momentarily
changed is that no-one is able to see it.”
“Nonetheless, this would have been
your doing?”
“Yes and no.”
“Please expand on — at the very
least — the ‘yes’ part.”
“Very well, your Honour. Over the
years, I have amassed a certain amount of… credibility, let’s say — perhaps
more than anyone in the history of my profession. People can be very
suggestible.”
“If I am understanding you
correctly, Mr. Houdini, it is your contention that you merely told people it was no longer there and
they just believed you?”
“Well, not ‘merely’. That would be
very reductive. A certain context was created; a degree of showmanship. It was
not without skill.”
“So you admit responsibility?”
“Yes and no.”
“I refer you to my previous request.”
“To expand?”
“If you would… No! God, man! Not
like that. Kindly return to your normal dimensions before I hold you in contempt.”
“Very well. Is this more to your
liking?”
“Hm… yes. Are you sure you’re not a
little shorter now?”
“Quite certain. But you see how
tricky perception can be?”
“Fine, fine. But there is a world of magnitude between this… discrepancy and
the present matter.”
“I agree, your Honour.”
“You do?”
“Quite so. As tricks go, the last was a mere bagatelle.”
“Mr Houdini, enough. I will not be
sidetracked. Now let us return to the charges…”
“Is there a problem?”
“Did you—”
“I’m sure I don’t know to what your
Honour is referring.”
***
ANOTHER TRIUMPH:
HOUDINI MAKES CHARGES VANISH
Tower
reveal show a sell-out after court case collapses. Demand now growing for third
performance, at Houses of Parliament, though public remain divided on its
potential reappearance.
Clever! Enjoyed reading this!
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