Chapter 7 a gentleman's bet

London, October 1873 Tonight is the last show of a very short schedule.The master of magic, Prospero, has not been on the London stage for some time, and this contract is for a week-long performance, no afternoon show. All tickets, despite the ridiculously high ticket prices, have long been sold out.The theater was packed, and many women kept fanning their bare necklines against the sweltering heat that even the chill of the autumn night outside could not drive away. At a certain stage in the performance, all these fans suddenly turned into birds, and flocks of birds circled up with the loud applause in the theater.When the birds flew back, they turned into folded fans one after another and landed on the legs of their owners. The applause became more enthusiastic. Some people were so surprised that they forgot to clap their hands and checked the feather or lace fans over and over in their hands in amazement. Totally forgot how uncomfortable the heat is.

The man in the gray suit sitting in the box on stage left did not applaud.Not only this trick, but he never applauded during the whole night.He watched the men on stage with an unwavering, observant gaze, throughout the performance from start to finish.Not once did he raise his gloved hands to applaud.He didn't even twitch an eyebrow at the feat of eliciting applause from the rapt audience, or the occasional exclamation. The man in the gray suit eased through the packed crowd in the theater lobby after the show.No stage crew or costumer even gave him a second glance as he slipped through a curtained door leading to a backstage dressing room.

He tapped on the door at the end of the corridor with the silver point of his cane. The door opened automatically, revealing a messy dressing room with rows of mirrors, each reflecting a different angle of Prospero. His tuxedo was lazily flung into a velvet armchair, his vest hung unbuttoned over a lace-trimmed shirt, and the top hat, which featured prominently in his performance, sat on the side hat. on the shelf. He looked much younger onstage, with blinding lighting and layers of makeup belaying his age.His face reflected in the mirror was wrinkled and his hair was half white.However, when he caught sight of the man standing at the door, the grin on his lips carried a certain youthful air.

You hate my show, don't you?he asked, without taking his eyes off the mirror, speaking to the ghostly gray figure within.He wiped off the thick layer of residual powder on his face with a dirty handkerchief. Nice to meet you too, Hector.The man in the gray suit said and gently closed the door. I can see that you are very disdainful.Hector.Bowen laughed.I've been watching you, don't pretend you don't know. He turned and held out his hand, but the man in the gray suit didn't accept it.Hector shrugged, and swung his fingers exaggeratedly towards the opposite wall.The velvet armchair slid forward from the corner piled with suitcases and scarves, and at the same time, the tuxedo on the chair floated like a black shadow, and ran obediently into the wardrobe to hang.

Sit down, please," said Hector, "but I'm afraid it won't be as comfortable as the upstairs box." I really don't agree with this performance.The man in the gray suit said as he took off his gloves and used them to dust off the chair before sitting down.Play tricks, cover-ups and the like, and charge fees. Hector tosses the powdered handkerchief onto a table that is cluttered with combs and paint boxes. No one in the audience would believe that what I did on stage was real.He roughly pointed in the direction of the stage. The beauty is that here, have you seen those ingenious contraptions that master magicians use to perform some of the most mundane tricks?They're a group of feathered fish trying to convince the public that they can fly, and I'm just a bird among them.The audience doesn't see a difference, just that I'm better than them.

No matter how hard you try, it's still not true. Those people lined up to be mesmerized, Hector said: I know how to confuse audiences better than most magicians.It seems a pity to pass up this opportunity for nothing, and the pay is much better than you can imagine.Want something to drink?I remember a few bottles of wine hidden here, but I'm not sure about the glasses.He rummaged through the clutter on the desk, pushing aside several stacks of newspapers and a birdless cage. no thank you.The man in the gray suit was fidgeting restlessly on the chair, leaning on the end of a cane with both hands.I find your acting to be eccentric, your audience's reactions are a bit inexplicable, and your technique is imprecise and nuanced.

It wouldn't be nice if I made them think I was as fake as any other magician.Hector laughed and said: Thank you for making this trip, and holding back to watch the whole show.It's surprising enough that you showed up, I almost gave up hope.I kept that package for you for a whole week. I don't usually turn down offers, and you wrote me that you had an offer for me. That's right!Hector clapped his hands together as he spoke.I was thinking you might want to play a game, we haven't played poker for a long time.You'll have to meet my new apprentice first, though. It seems that you have given up teaching.

Yes, but I couldn't refuse this rare opportunity.Hector walked towards a door that was almost hidden by a long mirror.Celia, dear.He called out to the next room, then walked back to his chair. Presently a little girl appeared at the door, dressed in dainty attire not befitting the dirty and shabby surroundings.The whole body is full of bows and lace, except for a few strands of hair coming out of the braid, the whole is as perfect as a rag doll that has just been put on the shelf in the store. It's okay, honey, come in.Heike waved his hand to signal her to step forward as he spoke.This gentleman is my friend, don't be shy.

She stepped forward and curtsied perfectly, the lace of her dress sweeping the worn wooden floor. This is my daughter, Celia.Hector told the man in the gray suit, with one hand on the girl's head.Celia, this is Alexander. Nice to meet you.she says.Her voice was so weak it was almost a whisper, and not as high-pitched as a girl of her height. The man in the gray suit nodded back at her. I want you to see what she's capable of.Hector said as he took out a silver pocket watch with a chain from his vest and put it on the table.let's start. The girl opened her eyes wide. You said that I can't do it in front of others, she said: You still want me to promise you.

This gentleman is none other than.Hector laughed. You say it's the same no matter who you are.Celia protested. Her father's smile faded away.He put his hands on her shoulders and looked sternly into her eyes. Today's situation is very special, he said: Please show this gentleman your performance, just like the usual class.As he spoke, he pushed her towards the table where the pocket watch was placed. The girl nodded solemnly and turned her attention to the watch, clasping her hands behind her back. After a while, the pocket watch began to spin slowly, round and round the tabletop, and the chain was dragged behind it in circles.

Hector waited to see the reaction of the man in gray. Very brilliant, the man said: but only basic skills. Celia's eyebrows were drawn into a line above her dark eyes, and the watch shattered, sending gears and wheels scattered in the air. Celia.her father shouted. She blushed at his sharp tone and apologized vaguely.The gears floated back to the dial and slid into place, until the watch returned to its original shape, and the hands ticked forward second by second, as if nothing had happened. It was brilliant, and the man in the gray suit was convinced now.But she has a bit of a temper. She is still young.Hector patted the top of Celia's head, ignoring her frowning expression.This is just less than a year of training, and when she grows up, she is bound to become a master of the generation. I could just take any kid on the street and train him the same way.A generation of masters is just your wishful thinking, which can be overthrown easily. ha!Hector yelled.So you are willing to join. The man in the gray suit only hesitated for a moment, then nodded. This gamble is a little more complicated than the last one, but yes, I am interested, he said: Maybe. Of course it's more complicated than last time!Hector said: I have a natural talent in my hand, I can't bet lightly. Whether he is a genius or not is hard to say.Some people may have some talent, but when it comes to innate talent, it is very rare. She is my own daughter, and her talents are of course innate. You yourself said that she was trained, but the man in gray said: How can you be sure? Celia, when did you start taking classes?Hector asked, without turning to look at her. March.she answered. what year dearHector asked again. This year.She replied as if she thought the question was absurdly stupid. Eight-month course, Hector clarified.A child who is only six years old.If I remember correctly, some of your students started their training a little younger than that.If Celia hadn't been so gifted, she wouldn't have performed so well, and she could have turned the clock on the first try. The man in gray turned his head to look at Celia. You broke it by accident, didn't you?he asked, turning his head to the pocket watch on the table.Celia frowned and nodded slightly. For her age, her control was amazing, he said to Hector: but bad temper is always an unfortunate variable, which will make her act on impulse. She'll get over it when she grows up, or learn to control her temper, but it's not a problem at all. The man in the gray suit kept looking at the girl, but he spoke to Hector.In Celia's ears, those voices could no longer be converted into words, and when she found that her father's answer had also become vague, she couldn't help frowning. Are you going to bet on your own daughter? She can't lose, Hector said: If you don't have a candidate yet, I suggest you better find an apprentice who won't make you reluctant to part. I guess her mother is okay with it? You guessed it right. The man in gray sized the girl up for a while before speaking again, but she still couldn't understand those words. I know you have a lot of faith in her, but I want you to at least think about the possibility of her losing, and the possibility that the race could turn against her.I will find someone who can really match her, otherwise I have no reason to agree to join this gamble, don't think that the victory must belong to her. I am willing to give it a try.Hector said he didn't even look at his daughter.If you want to finalize things now, please do so. The man in gray turned his head to look at Celia, and when he spoke again, she finally understood what he meant. All right.he nodded. He purposely made me hard to hear.Celia took advantage of her father's back and whispered to him. I know, darling, it's really not polite.As Hector spoke, he led her closer to the man in gray who was sitting, and asked him to look at her carefully with those gray eyes that were as bright as his suit. Have you known these for a long time?he asked her, looking back at his pocket watch. Celia nodded. My mother said I was the devil's child.she whispered. The man in gray leaned over and whispered something in her ear, the voice was so soft that her father couldn't eavesdrop.A bright smile appeared on her face. Stretch out your right hand.He said leaning back in his chair.Celia immediately stretched out her hand, palm facing up, not sure what would happen next.But the man in gray didn't put anything on her open palm.He turned her hand over and took off the silver ring he was wearing on his little finger.He put the ring on her ring finger and dangled loosely between her tiny fingers, and took her wrist with his other hand. She was about to say the fact that the ring, beautiful as it was, didn't suit her, when she realized it was slowly shrinking in her hand. Her joy at finally fitting the ring was replaced by pain as it continued to shrink between her fingers, metal melting into skin.She wanted to take it off, but the man in gray grabbed her wrist tightly and wouldn't let go. The ring faded and disappeared, leaving only a bright red scar on Celia's finger. The man in the gray suit let go of her wrist.She took a few steps back, retracted into the corner, and looked at her hands. Good boy.her father said. I need a little time to find my match.The man in gray said. No problem, Hector said: Take your time.He took a gold ring from his hand and put it on the table.Use it when you find it. You don't want to gift it yourself? I trust you. The man in gray nodded, took out a handkerchief from his jacket, picked up the ring through the handkerchief, and put it in his pocket. Hope you didn't do it because my guy won the last contest. Of course not, Hector said: I did it because I had a guy who could beat anyone, and because the situation is not what it used to be.Besides, in terms of the overall record, I seem to have the advantage. The man in gray didn't refute his statement, but only stared at Celia with his usual scrutiny.She tried to get out of his sight, but the room was too small. I guess you already have a spectrum for the playing field?he asks. Not yet, Hector said: I think when it comes to playing field, it's better to leave some room for imagination.To create a little surprise, so to speak.I know a stage manager here in London who would be brave enough to try something special.I will give you some hints at that time, and I guarantee that he will have a satisfactory performance.It's best to keep him neutral, but I guess you can't wait to use your diplomacy skills. May I ask this gentleman's name? Chandrash, Chandrash.Christopher.Hi Lefevre.They said he was the illegitimate son of some prince in India or something, and his mother was a rambunctious ballerina.I have his card in one of my junk piles.You'll love him, he's pretty advanced in his thinking.Weird rich guy, kind of obsessive, kind of confusing, but I think that's part of being an artist.At this time, a large pile of documents on the side table moved quickly, until a business card emerged and flew across the room.Hector grabbed it, glanced at it and handed it to the man in gray.He is a master of banquet planning. The man in gray put the business card in his pocket without even looking at it. I've never heard of this guy, he said: And I don't like making this kind of thing a public event.I have to think about it. Nonsense, half the fun of it is in the public performances!This creates many constraints, many challenging elements that require improvisation. The man in gray thought for a moment, then nodded. Is there a disclosure clause?Since I already know who you're competing for, it's fairer. Let's not draw up any terms, just follow some basic non-interference rules and see what happens.Hector said.In this competition, I want to challenge the limit, and there is no time limit. I can even let you perform first. Well, that's it, let's get back in touch.The man in the gray suit stood up as he spoke, brushing off the invisible dust on his sleeves.Nice to meet you, Miss Celia. Celia made another perfect curtsy, but looked at him with wary eyes. The man in gray nodded his hat at Prospero, quietly walked out of the room, left the theater, and drifted towards the still bustling street like a black shadow. In the dressing room, Hector.Bowen chuckled to himself as his daughter stood quietly in the corner, looking at the scar on her hand.The pain disappeared along with the ring, but the red and swollen marks were still there. Hector picked up the pocket watch on the table and checked the time with the clock on the wall.Slowly he winds up the mainspring, watching eagerly as the hands circle the dial. Celia, without looking up at her, said: Why do we wind the watch? Because everything needs energy.She answered obediently, her eyes still fixed on her hands.We must invest effort and energy into the things we wish to change. great.He shook his pocket watch a few times and put it back in his pocket. Why do you call that man Alexander?Celia asked. silly question. That's not his name. How did you know?Hector asked his daughter, lifting her chin to look at her, wondering what was hiding in her dark pupils. Celia looked back at him, not knowing how to explain.She played the image of the man in the gray suit with pale eyes and sharp facial features in her mind, trying to think about the reason why the name couldn't match him. That's not his real name, she said: not the real name he was born with.That is the same as the hat he wears, which can be taken off at any time.Just as you also have the name Prospero. I can't believe you are so smart.Hector said there was no rush to refute or confirm her fantasies about his colleague's name.He took off his hat and put it on her head.The hat slid down like a black silk cage over her questioning eyes.