Page 256 - Musings 2020

learning to take joy in the little things? I would give anything to see my son grow up to be a
man worthy of his salt. I cannot give up on myself yet. Tonight is my best chance to make
this all just go away.

The Enigma: (shaking himself out of his reverie) And now, for my second and final act of the
night, I will attempt to catch a real bullet fired from a gun, with my bare hands! The audience
perks up. A few hoots and hollers. The Enigma (heartened): That’s right, ladies and
gentlemen. This is an old, dangerous trick. I advise you to not try it at home, because it has
been known to go perilously awry more often than not! Any volunteers from the audience
who’d like to take a crack at me?

(A few weak laughs. Nobody volunteers. Jonathan looks around, feeling sorry for his friend.
He exchanges a glance with the desperate Joshua and makes up his mind.)

Jonathan: (raising his hand) I’ll do it!

The Enigma: (visibly relieved) Ah, there we have it! This brave gentleman will now shoot me
with a very real, very lethal gun.
Jonathan tries to get up from his seat but Valerie restrains him with her hand, suddenly
looking fearful.

Jonathan: (looking concerned) What’s the matter, my dear?

Valerie: (panicking) Don’t do it.

Jonathan: (smiling) You know this trick, Valerie. Those bullets are actually blanks. He’ll be
perfectly safe. A case of the jitters, it seems!

Valerie begins to say something but thinks better of it. Her face is pale and sickly. She lets
him go. Jonathan goes to the front of the auditorium and steps on stage.

The Enigma: Ah, hello sir. Please introduce yourself.

Jonathan: I’m Jonathan, 30 years old and I'm a Regional Manager at the Bank of London.
The Enigma: Good to meet you. Here you go, please take the gun and check for any
abnormalities.

Jonathan gives the gun a cursory once-over, pretending to check it thoroughly.

Jonathan: No sir, I see no problems with it.

The Enigma: Excellent! Now, friends, please hold on to your seats.

The Enigma moves to one corner of the stage and asks Jonathan to go to the other.

The Enigma: Please sir, point it directly to my head. Let's see if I can survive this trick!

Jonathan: Okay.

Jonathan points the gun at his childhood friend and takes a deep breath. The audience,
including Joshua’s wife, watch, agog. Joshua smiles at Jonathan encouragingly right before
he shoots. A surprised Jonathan feels the gun kick in his hands. A horrifying crack deafens
the crowd as Joshua’s face explodes in a gory display. Jonathan watches, stunned as blood

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