Chapter 26 Opening Night III: Smoke and Mirrors

(Annotation: Smoke and Mirrors, also known as blindfold, has the meaning of deception and false illusion.) London, October 13th and 14th, 1886 On opening night, Chandrash.Christopher.Lefevre didn't even step into a tent.Marco accompanied him, and the two wandered between the aisle and the square, and strolled around the courtyard.As soon as Chandrash found something to comment on, Marco immediately wrote it into his notes. Chandrash watched the crowd, discerning how they decided which tent to enter.He can see which signs need to be adjusted or raised to make it easier to read; which facades are not conspicuous enough to attract the attention of the masses; and which entrances are too prominent and attract too many people.

However, in fact, these are minor details, like adding a little more grease to the inaudible creak.The current situation couldn't be better, the people are in high spirits, the queue for tickets is snaking around the outside of the fence, and the whole circus is shining with excitement. A few minutes before midnight, Chandrash stood at the edge of the courtyard, ready to watch the lighting of the campfire.He chose a spot where he could see both the campfire and the crowd. Is everything ready for the ignition ceremony?he asks. No one answered him. He looked around, but only saw dizzy customers passing by.

Mark?But there was no sign of Marco, he said. One of the Burgess sisters caught a glimpse of Chandrash, walking cautiously through the water-tight atrium toward him. Hello, Chandrash, she said as she came up to him: What's the matter? I seem to have lost Marco and he said: That's weird.But there's nothing to worry about, Lenny, dear. I'm Tara.She corrects. You look alike, Chandrash said, puffing cigars, it's confusing.You should be inseparable like a duo to prevent others from making this mistake. Come on, Chandrash, we're not twins. Which one of you is older?

That's the secret, Tara said with a smile: Can we declare the evening a success? So far so good, but it's still early, my dear.How is Mrs. Murray doing? I think she's doing fine, but I haven't heard from her for an hour or so.I think opening night will be a memorable birthday for the twins. It would be useful if they were as indistinguishable from each other as you are from your sister.We should have them wear matching costumes. Tara chuckled.You at least wait until they can walk. The cauldron that will hold the campfire has not yet been lit, and the twelve archers are preparing to take their positions.Tara and Chandrash stopped talking and looked around.Tara watched the archers, and Chandrash watched the crowd absorbed by the scene before them.The crowd seemed to have coordinated with the archers in advance, and turned into spectators enjoying the scenery.Everything is going according to plan.

The archers let the arrow clusters fly over one by one, sending out raging flames, piercing the colorful fire pile.The whole circus was immersed in colorful colors. At this moment, the clock struck, and the twelve deep bells echoed in the circus. When the twelfth bell struck, the campfire was lit with a bang, white and hot.Everything in the atrium suddenly trembled. Although there was no breeze, the scarf fluttered and the fabric of the tent trembled slightly. The audience burst into thunderous applause.Tara clapped along, Chandrash staggered beside her, and the cigar rolled to the ground.

Chandrash, are you okay?Tara asked. I feel dizzy.He said.Tara grabbed Chandrash's arm to steady him, pulling him toward the side of the nearest tent, out of the way of the crowd that was starting to move again, pouring out in all directions. Did you feel that just now?he asked her, her legs were shaking, and Tara was struggling to support him as the passers-by kept jostling them. what do you feel?She asked, but Chandrash didn't answer, still looking wobbly.Why did no one think of putting some benches in the atrium?Tara muttered to herself. Any questions, Miss Burgess?A voice behind him asked.She turned around and found Marco hovering behind her with a notebook in his hand and a concerned look on his face.

Oh Marco, there you are, Tara said: Something is not right with Chandrash. They began to attract the attention of the crowd.Marco took Chandrash's arm and pulled him closer to a quieter corner, standing with his back to the courtyard to provide some privacy. Has he been like this for a long time?Marco confronts Tara as he holds Chandrash down. No, it just happened suddenly, she replied: I'm afraid he might faint. I'm sure it's nothing, Marco told her: maybe it's the heat.I can handle it, Miss Burgess.You don't have to worry. Tara frowned, reluctant to leave. It's fine.Marco spoke again with an accentuated tone.

Chandrash stared at the ground, as if missing something, and seemed deaf to the conversation. If you insist.Tara backed down. Leave him to me, don't worry, Miss Burgess.Marco said.Before she could say another word, he led Chandrash into the crowd. Here you are, said Leni, appearing on the shoulders of sisters, I've been looking for you everywhere.Did you see the lighting ceremony?Spectacular, right? yes.Tara said, still busy scanning the crowd. What's the matter?Leni asked: What happened? How well do you know Chandrash's assistant?Tara responded with a question. Marco?Not much, Leni said: he had worked for Chandrash for a few years, and was particularly good at accounting.I think he might have been a scholar in some field before, I'm not sure what the subject of his research is, and I don't know where it's done, he's not very talkative.Why do you want to ask?Want to conquer another handsome man with dark complexion?

Despite being distracted, Tara laughed out loud. No, nothing, just curiosity.She took her sister's arm.Let's go and find other mysteries that can now be explored. Hand in hand, they shuttled among the crowd, bypassing the glowing campfire.Many customers are still watching intently, hypnotized by the dancing white flames.