The Astounding Stefan La Vore

[Reinhard]

Backstage before the show magician Stefan La Vore, six feet, one hundred eighty five pounds with shoulder length brown hair and green eyes, dressed casually in jeans, a T-shirt, over shirt and baseball cap worn backwards, examines the props necessary for his act including those for his escape act. An a attractive woman Vanessa, five feet four inches, one hundred fifteen pounds with long blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed also casually in jeans and a T-shirt, approaches Stefan seeing her smiles leans over and gives her a deep long kiss. Stefan it's time we begin to get ready for the show. Stefan agrees Ok, the two head to their dressing room to change into their costumes. Minutes later dressed in their costumes, Stefan his long brown hair pulled tight into a ponytail is in a white full body, body stocking over which he wears a bright red long coat with tails, vest and a white lace cravat, Vanessa in a black sequined leotard, tanned hose and black stiletto heels, the two mentally preparing for their performance. A knock at the door and a voice five minutes Mr. La Vore five minutes. They stand hug and kiss Stefan expressing his affection for Vanessa, you know I love you, Vanessa responds, I love you to. Emerging from their dressing room they continue to talk discussing what they would do after the show. The orchestra playing can be heard in the background. Giving each other a kiss they head to opposite ends of the stage. Stefan takes a deep breath as the orchestra falls silent and the master of ceremonies heads to center stage, the audience applauding. Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to The Magic Mansion, the crowd applauds again. Many of the worlds great magicians got their start here and I'm sure that tonight is only the beginning of another great magician's career. This young man winner of the international young magicians cup, has become known for the youth, energy and excitement that he brings to his performance, ladies and gentlemen The Astounding Stefan La Vore. Stefan steps from the wings onto the stage, the audience applauds loudly. The master of ceremonies exits as Stefan stands center stage bathed in the spotlight, Jeffrey thank you for that kind introduction I am Stefan La Vore, Jeffrey called me a great magician, but a magician is only great if he has a great assistant, ladies and gentlemen Vanessa. Vanessa enters the spotlight with a flourish the crowd applauds, the lights on stage come up, the orchestra begins to play, Stefan begins his act he performs several slight of hand card tricks. Vanessa brings him a box and live dove, placing the bird in the box Stefan waves his wand over it. The box explodes in a fire ball feathers flying Stefan looks shocked the fire out Stefan picks up the box opens it and looks inside. He smiles as he shows the open box to the audience, empty no burned bird a little magician humor for the crowd who laugh and applaud in relief. He performs several other tricks, then suddenly the lights go out silence. The spotlight again on Stefan, ladies and gentlemen we have come to my last act of the evening and a new act. Stefan pauses, ladies and gentlemen The Blade Of Solomon, the lights on stage come up revealing the ominous contraption behind him, a bare metal table with shackles at each end over which hangs a large heavy gleaming blade that runs the full length of the table. The Blade Of Solomon named for a wise man, I don't know how wise I am for doing this jokes Stefan, the crowd laughs. I will be secured to this table under this half ton razor sharp tungsten steel blade, Stefan walks over to a small table with a candle on it under a tight pulled rope, Stefan continues, which is being held up by this lone rope. Vanessa will light this candle and move under the rope so it burns, this is a triple ply hemp rope it take approximately two minutes to burn through, I have that long to free myself. Now I need two volunteers from the audience to come up and illustrate that the shackles and blade are real and to give Vanessa a hand in binding me. Looking around the audience Stefan selects a guy who looks like he's in his thirties then another. Guys if you would come on up, they hurry from their seats up on to the stage, Ok guys what are your names. The first man speaks up, I'm Greg, then the other, Michael. Ladies and gentlemen Greg and Michael, alright guys, Stefan leads them back to the blade, examine the chains closely, are they real? Each man nods and says yes. Now the blade it is real metal right, each man again nods and says yes. Stefan motions for Vanessa she joins them at the blade. Vanessa in her hand holds a plain roll of duct tape to insure that I can not give any signals or messages that will aid in my escape Vanessa will tape my mouth shut. Vanessa hands the tape to one of the men and helps Stefan remove his coat, vest and cravat, she quickly takes the garments off stage and returns. Taking the tape in hand Vanessa tears off a short piece, Stefan takes a deep breath and nods letting Vanessa know he's ready. Vanessa stretches the tape across Stefan's lips, Stefan turns and climbs onto the table breathing heavily he positions himself under the blade. Vanessa motions for the volunteers to move to opposite ends of the table. Stefan lays flat on the table his right foot, he looks as the volunteer locks the shackle round his ankle. He then extends his left foot the volunteer locks the shackle around that ankle. Looking over his head he extends his right hand the other volunteer locks a shackle around the wrist, then he extends his left hand which is secured as well. Vanessa thanks the volunteers and lets them return to their seats. She stands by the small table picks up a box of matches and removes a match. Stefan are you ready, she asks Stefan takes a long deep breath and nods yes, Vanessa strikes the match and lights the candle, gentle she slides it under the straining rope. Vanessa loudly, Stefan the rope is now burning, she motions for the stage hands off stage to raise a