Ever since he was a child, Alan wanted to be a world-famous magician. He spent hours watching other magicians, setting up toys as an audience and performing for them, and learning how to pull off the best magic tricks in the world. When he discovered a mysterious island where any fantasy would be fulfilled, he just had to go.
Unfortunately, he had very little money and couldn’t afford the fees, but that didn’t stop him from going to the travel agency and discussing possibilities with the agent.
“How can I help you today?” The older man behind the desk gave Alan a warm smile and motioned for him to sit down at the opposite side of the desk.
“I uh…well, I…” Alan couldn’t get out what he wanted to ask due to fear.
“You’re here to inquire about the island, right?” The agent’s voice hinted at intrigue as if he held the key to a secret world.
“How do you know what I wanted to ask?”
The old man’s eyes filled with a knowing twinkle as he shrugged and spoke gently, “It’s not uncommon for people to come in here, their hearts brimming with curiosity about the island, yet their voices trembling with fear. I sensed the same in you.”
“Why are people scared to ask about the island?”
“Don’t know. It’s a nice little vacation spot. Been there myself a few times. I highly recommend it.”
“How much?” Alan whispered though he was scared to find out.
“Let me ask you something first. What’s your fantasy? What do you want most?”
Looking around cautiously, hoping no one else would hear him, he said, “I want to be the best magician in the world and have real magical powers instead of performing second-rate tricks. But I don’t have any money.”
The old man leans back and thinks for a few minutes, then sits back up and types for a little while on his laptop. He then looks Alan square in the eyes.
“I just sent a message to the host on your behalf. He’s already responded in the affirmative.”
Confused, Alan asks, “What do you mean?”
“I asked the host if you could have your fantasy as a gift, and he will allow it. Congratulations! You’re going to the island!” He reached out his hand to shake Alan’s hand.
Shaking his hand, Alan looked at the man wide-eyed.
“I’m going?”
Laughing at Alan’s reaction, he said, “Yep! I’ll print out your travel arrangements, and you’re good to go. You leave next week.”
“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much! I can’t believe it–I’m going to the island. Incredible!”
After the old man printed his travel arrangements, Alan walked out of the agency with a bounce in his step and a song in his heart. He’s finally going to be a real magician and become world-famous! It’s a dream come true!
Alan lived alone, never having the time or desire for a relationship. He found that trying to be in a relationship took time away from his real passion, so he stayed single, and now that he’s going to take a well-deserved vacation on the island and become famous, being single is a great advantage.
Waiting out the week was hard, but Alan finally reached the island. As he completed the last leg of the journey in the small island plane, he noticed he was traveling with only one other person.
With the island’s reputation, why aren’t more people on this flight?
Before he could reflect on the answer, the plane landed, and it was time to disembark. He grabbed his carry-on bag and walked off the plane to the dock. His eyes took a minute to adjust to the bright sun, but as he looked around, he felt disappointed.
No hula girls put leis around his neck or served a drink. No one was there to welcome the guests off the plane…no band…nothing to suggest that this was a popular vacation spot.
It almost felt–well, funeral-like in a way.
Before long, however, a long black car appeared. The driver got out, walked to the guests, grabbed their luggage, and put it in the trunk. He then motioned for the guests to get in the car. As Alan rode in the car with the only other guest, he watched the scenery and realized his expectations of a warm island welcome came from an old TV show.
But this isn’t TV–it’s real life.
They soon arrived at a mansion. The driver pulled the car through the gate and stopped in front of the main door. Alan opened the car door, stepped out of the car, and let his eyes wander to the mansion’s architecture.
The front columns that frame the main entrance look like they belong on a pre-civil war plantation. Though they were probably brand new, the window shutters looked like they came from a bygone Victorian era. Large trees tastefully framed the mansion, while the white siding made the sun feel even hotter.
“Sir?”
Alan realized the driver was talking to him and had been for a few minutes now. Returning to the present, he muttered, “Oh. Uh, yeah?”
“Sir, if you follow me, you can get started on your fantasy after you meet with the host.”
“Yes, of course.”
Alan followed the driver and the other guest into the mansion. Before he could take in the enormity of the inside, the host greeted them.
“Welcome! I trust your journey was pleasant?” The host’s warmth betrayed the feel of the island, and as he grew closer to his guests, Alan was sure he saw something sinister in the host’s eyes. He looked again, but it was gone.
The host reached his hand towards Alan in a friendly greeting, which he reciprocated by shaking the host’s hand.
“Let me guess–you’re Alan Green? The would-be magician?”
“Uh, yes. How did you know?”
“I know everyone who comes to my island. Come with me.” The host heads to a side office off of the foyer. Alan anxiously follows the host into the office and sits down when invited.
“When will my fantasy start?” Alan asks, but the host only smiles slyly. For what seemed like an eternity, they looked at each other. The host is cool and calculating, while Alan is anxious yet excited.
The host gets up, walks to the left wall, removes a picture, and opens a safe. He pulls out a small package, closes the safe, and replaces the picture. Returning to the desk, he hands Alan the package and sits down again.
“Please. Open the package.”
Hands trembling, Alan clumsily opens the package to find a cheesy magic kit he can buy anywhere. His heart falls and the disappointment shows clearly on his face. Eventually, he looks up to see the host staring at him with measured confusion.
“You did ask to be a real magician?” the host asked. The tone of his voice betrayed the meaning of the innocent question.
“Y-yes. Of c-course.”
“Then why are you disappointed?”
“Well, I have the same magic kit at home. How is this going to help me with my fantasy?”
“Patience, my dear man. You might want to look further into the kit.” The host eyed Alan intently as he dug down into the magic kit.
Alan followed the host’s suggestion and found an amulet. As he lifted it from the kit, it started glowing, and he suddenly felt compelled to put it around his neck. Once he did so, it stopped glowing. The host watched knowingly and expectantly as the amulet disappeared and became part of Alan.
He shook and convulsed for what seemed like hours, but in reality, it was a few seconds. When he finished, the host stood up, walked around the desk, and helped Alan stand.
Shaken, Alan breathlessly asked, “What–what was that??”
“That was the beginning of your fantasy. You now have magic powers.” Seeing the confusion on Alan’s face, he continued. “You don’t believe me. Raise that vase from that table and move it to the desk.”
Alan thought it was crazy but decided to trust the host. After all, he did feel something course through his body. Maybe it was possible after all. “How do I do that?”
“Just look at it, imagine it moving, and then do it.”
Taking a deep breath, Alan intently stared at the vase, imagining it moving. After a few seconds, it started shaking, rose from the table, flew through the air, and landed on the host’s desk. Shocked, Alan started laughing, then crying, then went back to laughing again. This went on for several minutes.
The host waits for him to calm himself, then says, “Now that you’re aware of your powers, you’ll have several opportunities to perform as you’ve wanted to since you were a boy. Your first show is tonight in our stadium.”
The host continued as Alan left the office, “But I should warn you, Mr. Green. Your fantasy only allows you to be in certain places on this island and nowhere else. Should you happen to wander to another part of the island, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Something ominous was in his warning, which caused Alan to stand in the doorway, staring at the host.
“Have a wonderful time, Mr. Green.” The host then motioned Alan to leave.
Alan can’t believe it–his lifelong dream is coming true! An island assistant led him to his cabin, where he found his luggage, magic supplies, and costumes. The attendant gave him information about his performance and then left.
Coming to the island has been an exhilarating adventure, and he can’t believe his good fortune. Between the gifted trip, the new magic powers, and everything in between, Alan’s mind is swimming with new information to process.
But then reality sunk in and he picked up the promotion flyer with the performance information.
“Tonight in his debut performance: Alan Green, the World Class Magician! Join us in the Island Auditorium at 8 PM.”
A rush of excitement and anxiety made him a little dizzy, and he had to sit down in the closest chair. It was then that he noticed a large brown folder with additional information. He picked it up, flipped through the pages inside, and quickly realized it was a performance itinerary, complete with instructions for each act.
As he read through the pages, he realized that every act described was one that he either practiced unsuccessfully as a child or had read about online. His eyes widened in excitement as he read through each act, confident that he could now perform each one without a cheesy magic kit.
The magic kit! He suddenly remembered that he barely looked through it in the host’s office, but now it became clear that those cheesy magic supplies might have more to them than he thought.
He rifled through the kit, pulling each item out of the bag and laying them on the coffee table. They weren’t just props–they were real!
Then he read through the instructions, bit by bit until he knew how every single part of the act would go, including the outcome. Looking at the clock, he saw that he had two hours to fully prepare and practice each act.
Practice went better than he imagined, as each object in the kit worked better than ever. Time flew, however, and it was already 7:15 PM. Gasping in horror at the time, Alan raced to change his clothes, gather the magic kit the host gave him, and walk out the door. He left his cabin just in time as the driver pulled up to give him a ride to the auditorium.
After arriving, an island attendant ushered him backstage to get set up and learn how the evening would go. The host soon appeared and coolly approached Alan. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Yes, you’ve been very gracious.”
“Not at all. I simply want to see you succeed in your wildest dreams.” The host’s words sounded a little off to Alan, but because he was to go on stage in 30 minutes, he pushed that out of his mind and focused on his act.
“Thank you.” Alan shook the host’s hand and returned to his act. The host left him alone for a bit and greeted other guests.
Before he knew it, the stagehand announced that Alan would go on in 10 minutes. He gathered his things, put on his cape, and got in place as directed. Even though the announcer introduced him and his act, Alan was too focused on facing the audience to hear everything the announcer mentioned.
The curtain soon rose, and the audience burst into applause. As it died down, Alan proceeded into his performance. He started with the bird in the hat trick and then the endless handkerchief gimmick.
He progressed flawlessly through his act until he came to the knife-throwing bit.
Alan had never performed this trick, but he’d seen it done in online videos. The problem was that despite claims to the contrary, no one ever survived the trick. The reason? One had to perform it blindfolded and turned away from the volunteer tied to the pole and bullseye board.
When one has real powers, the trick can go well. But most people who try the trick end up killing their volunteers.
To say that Alan was nervous was an understatement–he was petrified! After calling for a volunteer from the audience and tying her to the pole, the attendant blindfolded Alan, turned him around, then handed him the knives.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his throwing arm and tossed the knife. The thump confirmed that the knife landed on the board.
So far, so good. Taking another deep breath, he tosses another knife with the same thump. Again and again, Alan threw the knives until the last one was thrown. The audience erupts into cheers and applause, and as he takes his blindfold off and turns to look at his poor volunteer, he breathes a huge sigh of relief.
She was still alive and unharmed! The knives outlined her figure, and as she stepped down away from the pole, he noticed that the knives barely missed her by a fraction of an inch. In any other scenario, she would have been killed.
The night was a complete success, and he became an overnight sensation.
He returned to his cabin and almost fell into bed due to extreme exhaustion. Who knew performing a magic show would take such a toll on him? He tossed and turned during the night, haunted by dreams he didn’t understand. When morning arrived, Alan groggily woke to the host standing over his bed.
“What are you doing here?” he said, yawning the biggest yawn of his life.
“I heard you were having a bad night’s sleep, and I wanted to check on you.” The host knew the dreams Alan had but chose not to reveal himself.
“Oh. That’s very kind. I guess. But can you please leave so I can get up?”
“Of course.” The host turned to leave but then paused, turned around, and said, “By the way, Mr. Green, I thought you’d want to know that your show last night attracted the biggest media mogul’s attention. They posted your show all over the internet–you’re the biggest thing since Harry Houdini.”
Alan’s jaw dropped. World famous? He couldn’t believe what the host said. How?
The host left the cabin, and Alan got up and prepared for the day. When he entered the sitting area, a video started playing on the laptop on the coffee table.
“Alan Green, a previously unknown magician, took the world by storm last night while performing acts that could only be explained by the supernatural. Here’s a brief look at the amazing performance…”
Alan watched himself throw knives at his volunteer. Each knife looked like it was going to hit the poor woman, but at the very last second, the knife took a different path and landed on the board near her.
The announcer continued, “The amazing magician will perform another show tonight at the island auditorium, which will broadcast worldwide. Join us here at 8 PM to see the performance you never thought to see!”
Shutting off the video and closing the laptop, Alan sat down and rubbed his eyes. How did this happen? To have that great precision could only mean one thing–he really did have powers he only dreamed about in his youth!
He got up, grabbed a coffee and muffin, and sat at the kitchen table. This was too much to take in, and he needed coffee to process everything.
Not long after he sat down, however, a knock came at the door. Sighing, he stood up and casually walked to the door and opened it. An island attendant stood there, holding a top-of-the-line tuxedo and a pair of gold cuff links.
“The host wanted you to wear this tonight for your final performance.”
Alan’s eyes widened as he asked, “Final performance??”
“Oh. Uh. Well–you’re leaving in a couple of days, right?” The attendant stumbled through the sentence, getting red through embarrassment.
“I guess. But I thought I would perform for the last two nights I was here…? Is that not correct?”
“I only know what the host said. Please, sir, don’t tell him I said anything. I wasn’t even supposed to say that much.” The attendant looked so frightened that Alan took pity on him.
“Of course not. I won’t say anything. Thanks.” He took the tuxedo and cuff links, turned, and shut the door.
Why is tonight my final performance?
Pondering that, he took the tuxedo into the bedroom, laid it on the bed, put the cuff links on the dresser, and then returned to his coffee. His one performance made him an overnight sensation, so he thought he would have more than two performances on the island.
He would have gone for a walk to clear his mind, but then he remembered the host’s warning about going elsewhere on the island. Instead, he stepped outside and sat on the steps of the deck.
Something didn’t feel right about this island. Something he just couldn’t put his finger on. Yes, he truly enjoyed having true magical powers and worldwide notoriety; it was everything he’d ever hoped for! But still…things just didn’t make sense.
After a bit, he got up and went back inside. He practiced his act repeatedly until he was satisfied.
The final performance.
Alan put on the tuxedo, then the gold cuff links. As soon as he fastened the last cuff link, a strange feeling raced through his body–like an electric pulse. He put his hand against the wall to steady himself until it passed. Once it did, he sat on the bed to catch his breath.
Once he felt better, he stood up and walked to the door just as the attendant drove up to take him to the auditorium for the show. He got in the car, and they drove off.
The show was a resounding success–better than the night before. He received a standing ovation, then several interview requests after the show. It was the height of Alan’s fantasy, and there was nowhere to go but up.
Alan forgot about everything else and reveled in the praise and adoration of the crowds.
Finally, when it was time to go, an attendant escorted him to the car and drove him back to his cabin. The host met him there and asked, “So, Mr. Green, how is your fantasy going?”
“Oh, it’s been wonderful! I can’t thank you enough for this gift.”
“Think nothing of it. I wanted to be here when you returned to wish you well before you go home.”
“Home? I thought my fantasy lasted two more days.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to mention. Gift fantasies only last two days instead of the usual four. I would have thought my agent would have told you.”
Seeing the disappointed look on Alan’s face, the host hastily added, “But perhaps you can come back in six months to continue your fantasy? My gift to you for the mix-up.”
This helped ease Alan’s disappointment, but then he asked, “Will I still have my powers when I leave the island? Will I have worldwide fame when I leave here?”
“I’m sorry. The fantasy only lasts until you leave.”
“Well. Thank you. I guess I should go in and go to bed.” Alan turns and goes into the cabin.
“Good night, Mr. Green.”
Alan walked into the cabin and shut and locked the door behind him. He suddenly felt very sleepy and decided to go to bed. The jolt from the cuff links must have done a number on him. After removing the cuff links and tuxedo and completing his nightly routine, he slipped into bed.
He fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. Running from an unknown assassin…getting caught…tied to a pole…
Disturbing images haunted Alan’s dreams, much like the night before. Only this time, they felt more real than before. He watched helplessly as knives flew toward him, missing only by a fraction of an inch.
Alan tossed and turned as the nightmare became more real.
Then that fateful knife flew at him and landed in his chest, right into his heart. Instantly, Alan stopped tossing and turning in his sleep. The nightmare killed him.
Meanwhile, the host stood over his bed, waiting for this moment. As Alan breathed his last breath, the amulet suddenly reappeared. The host took it off Alan and put it around his neck, and just as with Alan, it disappeared into the host.
Breathing in deeply, the host now has the powers Alan once had. “One more victim…one more benefit,” he said smugly.
The host returned to the mansion, satisfied with his progress.
