Story 5 - An Act

"Folks, it's showtime!" A voice cried.

Just as he said that flashing lights and smoke filled the room.

"Now, for the main event!" The voice roared.

"Put your hands together for our talented Alvaro!"

Suddenly, a man came rising from below the stage.

"My friends!" He greeted.

"Thank you all for coming once again to see our show!" Alvaro cried.

"For my first trick, my assistant, Mim, and I will demonstrate to you piercing swords in the box!"

"Now, now, he'll be unscathed…hopefully!" Alvaro roared with laughter.

"Are you ready!?" He cried as he locked the door with Mim inside.

After all the swords pierced the box, the lock fell off.

With that, Mim climbed out of the box.

"LOOK AT THAT, COMPLETELY UNSCATHED!" Alvaro cried.

The audience roared with excitement.

*

After the show, Alvaro was walking down the halls to his dressing room.

"Boss, hey boss!" Mim cried, running up to him.

"That was a great audience, wasn't it?" He grinned.

"Mm." Alvaro nodded.

"Um…say, boss," Mim began, laughing sheepishly.

"About my next paycheck…"

"You think you're getting a paycheck after that pitiful performance?" Alvaro asked.

"Please, Mim, don't be ridiculous; a squirrel could do your job better than you," he said, staring down at the stack of money in his hand.

"B-but boss,"

"Besides, we don't have the funds to be giving out cash so freely."

"This will go right into my pocket for my spectacular performance!" Alvaro laughed as he walked out of the room.

"Understood, boss…" Mim mumbled.

*

As the night went on, suddenly, there was a scream outside the dressing room, followed by a thud.

Mim quickly ran out into the hallway, just as he did his eyes widened.

Lying on the ground in a pool of blood was Alvaro.

"BOSS!" Mim cried as he rushed over to him.

"SHIT!" He cried, reaching out towards the body.

"I wouldn't touch him." A voice calmly said.

"You might get pinned with the blame."

"W-who's there…?" Mim said, his voice shaking.

"Don't you just love the good old magician murdered by his assistant schtick?" The voice asked, laughing.

"I-I didn't do it…!" Mim cried.

"You and I know that," there was a pause.

"However…"

Suddenly, a man leaped from the ceiling.

"Say…" He smirked.

"Let's face it, your old boss was a piece of shit."

Mim fell back.

"Y-you're wrong!" He cried.

"H-he saw potential in me…he even saved me from the streets!" He pleaded.

"Potential, hm?" The man said, stepping out from the shadows, revealing his face.

"W-who are you…" Mim whispered, his eyes widening.

"If you want me to be, I can be your new boss…" The man grinned.