The pinnacle of magic

When Shi Rui left the apartment, he found that the road was a bit wet.Apparently, during the three-and-a-half hours he had been working through the material, there had just been an afternoon shower outside, which is very common this season.

There was a cloyingly sweet scent in the midsummer air.The water vapor evaporated from the ground adhered to the surface of the high-heeled shoes, making the original bright red color a bit dull.Shi Rui raised his wrist and looked at his watch, although 05:30 in the afternoon is still too early for going to the bar, but since old Johnny only left the words Owl Bar on that crumpled business card, then I can only assume that he can be found there no matter what time of day it is.Anyway, out of consideration for the old man's health, he didn't plan to wait until after dark to go.There are not many people worthy of his concern in this country, and Old Johnny is one of them who ranks very high.

When he first came here, Shi Rui was almost penniless.It was Johnny Sr. who gave him his first job as a temporary assistant to a magician, performing three nights a week.That summer, he kept shuttling between hotels, hotels, casinos and various open-air stages, earning his first tuition fees.Although Old Johnny repeatedly invited him to continue performing with the troupe, he chose to stay in this city.He likes this witty and humorous old man, but instinctively resists magic.Although the magic in this country is very different from what he has learned.

Now, five years later, Johnny Sr. suddenly slipped a business card under the door of his apartment.Is this a simple reminiscence, or a special invitation from an old friend?

Shi Rui frowned, feeling ominous about Old Johnny's choice to use this prominent business card.This kind of hard card produced by the World Association of Magicians usually only has the code name of the magician and a motto designated by the magician printed on it.He's always been impressed by Old Johnny's "Oh my God! Who's lost my wine?"

Entering the Owl Bar into the mobile phone, the electronic map failed to provide any helpful information.Shi Rui threw the phone back into his small handbag, determined to walk towards the direction he remembered.He has a slight impression of this name, and for him, memories can often be retrieved perfectly with just a little external stimulation.

The heels of the high heels hit the ground, making a crisp sound.From appearance, Shi Rui at night looks like a tall and mysterious oriental beauty.The high coiled hair, delicate facial features, sexy shoulders covered by a translucent tulle shawl, and slender legs exposed from the hem of a long silk dress tailored to the body, all of them attracted the attention of passers-by. Amazing glance.

As he passed the corner, several young men with beer bottles whistled at him.The corners of the delicately drawn lips were slightly raised, but Shi Rui chose to turn a deaf ear to it.While he always enjoyed being the center of attention at night, tonight was clearly not a good time.

Turn left, turn right, cross three streets, turn left again...

The memory became gradually clearer.Shi Rui knew that he was not far from his destination.He is not ignorant of the nearby bars, on the contrary, every night, he often goes in and out of this place dressed in women's clothing.Talking to a man he likes, being offered a mocktail, and leaving alone is what he does at night.

Shi Rui never goes to the same place continuously, and never discloses personal information to others.Besides listening, what he does best is lead the conversation.Almost every man who has successfully approached has experienced a rare peace of mind in just a few hours.Then, with regret, she broke up with Shi Rui at the door of the bar. "The Lady of the Night in Queens," he'd even heard someone describe him.

After passing a 24-hour laundromat, Shi Rui finally understands why he has an impression of a bar but has never been to it.It took him half a minute to make out the words Hooters Bar on the dusty sign.No wonder you've never been in here, who would be interested in walking into a bar with the words "vacant house for rent" hanging on the door?

Shi Rui pushed the door, but unexpectedly the door was not locked, and there was even a slight blues music coming from the crack of the door.In the next second, the dilapidated wooden door was pulled open, and a waiter with a professional smile on his face spread his palm to Shi Rui.

"Please show your invitation letter,...beautiful lady." The waiter couldn't help being stunned for a second after seeing Shi Rui's face clearly.

Obviously, this is a speakeasy.

Really old Johnny style!

"Unfortunately, I don't have an invitation letter. But maybe..." The oriental beauty with high hair coiled up smiled and took out Old Johnny's business card from her handbag, "Can this be used as a substitute?"

"Yes, of course!" The waiter puffed up his chest, "Honorable lady, the person you want to meet is on the basement floor. The stairs going down are on the left. Do you need me to guide you?"

Shi Rui politely declined the other party's kindness.As he passed the waiter, he smelled an expensive perfume.I hope that the consumption here will not surprise people, Shi Rui prayed silently.You know, in the last three months when he started writing his dissertation, he was almost sitting on nothing, and now the money in his account is just enough for a one-way ticket back to China.

Different from the dilapidated exterior, the interior of the house is full of a certain elegant and simple atmosphere.Compared with the word bar, this place is more like a private club.The stairs, all made of teak, are hidden behind a black metal flower stand. There are many old photos hanging on both sides of the stairs, which seem to be related to magic from the content.Shi Rui even found a photo of Houdini inside.

There is no need to find anyone to inquire, and there is only one guest in the spacious hall at this time.The old man was lying on the bar, as if he had fallen asleep, his left hand was still resting on the wine glass.The hair that was only grizzled a few years ago has now become snow white, which makes Shi Rui somewhat sad.

"Hush——" the oriental beauty who approached quietly made a silent gesture to the bartender, and then lightly patted the old man's shoulder, "Hi! Johnny!"

"Well... have another drink. Ah! Shirley, my child, you are finally here!" After recognizing who it was, the excitement on Old Johnny's face almost made him ten years younger.

"Would you like a candy?" The old man spread his hands and conjured a candy out of thin air.

"I've told you many times that candies only work on children." Although his tone was serious, the smile on the corner of his mouth completely betrayed Shi Rui's good mood.

"Really don't want one?" The old man quickly clenched his fist and then opened it, "Candy Bear?"

"Okay, you win!" Shi Rui took the only sweet he liked from the old man's palm and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Be a lady, Shirley! Don't you think that you don't need to maintain a ladylike image in front of an old man like me?" The old man deliberately lowered his voice. We had a great night together!"

"You mean the beauty pageant champion in 1980?" Shi Rui teased with a smile, then opened his arms, "Won't you give me a hug?"

"Of course, my child!"

"Don't try to steal my bra, you know I never wear that thing." When the old man's fingers were about to touch his shoulders, Shi Rui reminded suddenly.

It was a hug five years apart.

Warm, real, with a tingle of soul.

Shi Rui couldn't help but think of the night they parted five years ago.The drunken old man took his hand and repeatedly invited him to leave together.If it weren't for the fact that he really didn't want to deal with magic anymore, Shi Rui almost nodded in agreement.For the old man, magic was a pleasure, a way of life, but to him it was just a nightmare.

Now, five years have passed, Shi Rui is not sure if his thoughts have changed, but he does feel a long-lost sense of relief by the old man's side.

"No, no, no!" The old man let go of Shi Rui, and laughed loudly, "I have quit this bad habit since I started performing in nursing homes. Let me see you! Shirley, you are still so beautiful! No , you are more beautiful than five years ago! Do you know what is the most regrettable thing in my life?"

"what?"

"I haven't even been able to visit your hometown once! If the people there are as beautiful as you, then you really fell into the land of tenderness, wouldn't you?" The old man blinked playfully.

"Maybe you can go with Janet, I will be happy to be your tour guide." Noticing the dodge on the old man's face, Shi Rui took the initiative to avoid this topic, "It looks good here?"

"The boss here is a senior magic lover, and I have been friends for more than 30 years. So all the expenses tonight can be charged to my account. By the way, Jack, please give this beautiful lady a drink... ..."

"A glass of Catherine's flowers, thank you." Shi Rui sat down beside the old man.

"Shirley, are you still abstaining from alcohol as before?" The old man suddenly sighed, "Ah...not drinking is actually a good habit, especially for magicians."

"What's wrong with you today? That's not something Johnny 'Golden Finger' would say." Shi Rui couldn't help frowning.

"Ha! It's nothing, people are always easy to be sentimental when they are old." The old man raised his head and poured all the transparent liquid left in his cup into his mouth, then turned his head and continued to look at Shi Rui, "Why, you still don't plan to join the association Is it? You are one of the two most talented magicians I have ever seen. If you become a professional magician, you will definitely become famous all over the country!"

"I'm not interested in getting a free business card. In fact, I plan to return home as soon as I graduate."

"Ah! That's really bad news." The expression on the old man's face suddenly became serious, "When are you leaving?"

"In three months, or less." Shi Rui smiled and took the mocktail he ordered from the bartender.

"Well...Actually, I came to you this time to ask you to do me a favor. But in this case, your plan to go home may be postponed for a month. Uh...but apart from you, I really can't find you Find a more suitable candidate." The old man frowned, and the wrinkles on his face were as obvious as a knife.

"Johnny, you really don't have to hesitate about this. Don't you think our friendship isn't enough to delay my schedule for a little while? Tell me what you want me to do."

"Have you heard of Clifford White?"

"The talented magician who is about to perform at the Central Stadium?"

"Great! You really are always following the trends in the magic world!"

"I have to remind you, Johnny, from the subway station to the shopping street, there are advertisements for that little boy everywhere."

"Hahahaha...babyface! My God! Clifford will be mad if he hears your description! Shirley, you know very well that sometimes a good appearance is essential for a magician."

"Then there's no need to keep taking close-ups of the face, right? People who don't know think he can perform magic tricks with his face! Although there is indeed such a form of performance in my hometown." In fact, even Shi Rui had to admit That series of posters was actually pretty good.Because he was too focused on distinguishing the subtle expressions on the magician's face when he saw it for the first time, he even took a subway stop too far.Of course, this is also one of the reasons why he is now quite critical of this "suspected performer with his face".

"Okay, Johnny, could it be that what you asked me to do has something to do with this little boy?" For some special reasons, Shi Rui always deliberately avoided the magic field.But obviously, Old Johnny's entrustment will definitely step on his minefield, which makes Shi Rui hesitate.

"Well, one of Clifford's assistants suddenly had a problem and couldn't continue to perform. I want you to join his team. He will go to China for a tour in four months. I think this is in line with your plan. No conflict, what do you think?"

"I refuse." Shi Rui replied after thinking for a moment.

"why?"

"He's not only a jerk, he's a pushy jerk. Johnny, you know, I don't like being on camera."

"Come on! My dear, promise me to think it over again? I'll be in town all week. Clifford's a good boy, and I can't let him go to ruin."

"I only heard that his comprehensive ranking in the world has soared to No. [-] in two years, and he has a good chance to become No. [-] in the world within this year. How to say that, a career in full swing is far from ruin. Shi Rui shrugged, picked up his glass and took a sip.

"No, dear, you don't understand. Clifford is a true genius, and because of that, when he gets to the top is where he gets lost. If no one gives him a hand, he'll soon be 'The late world's number one magician'!"

"That doesn't seem to have anything to do with us?" Shi Rui was a little curious that the old man came to ask for help.

"Uh...how should I put it..." There was a slight twist on the old man's face, and then he seemed to have made up his mind, "I can be said to be his first teacher, although he may not know who I am until now, And I didn't recognize his picture until many years later. You see, I always say that I have a responsibility to my children. I introduced you to the world of magic, so I have a responsibility to let you know magic What it really means, instead of watching you guys being blinded by the hype and money. Darling, this is most likely the last thing I will ask you in my life, promise me, will you think about it?"

"Johnny, tell me, what happened?" Shi Rui was shocked by what the old man said, "You..."

"Liver cancer is advanced, and the doctor said there are still two months at most." The old man smiled and said that he was very optimistic about the result, "I don't want to blackmail you with this. Honey, think about it! I have a hunch that there is some kind of complementarity between you, and while leading him on the right path, you can also learn some valuable things from him.”

"..." Shi Rui chuckled suddenly, "Okay! If you tell me how many kinds of candies you hide on your body, I will accept your commission."