October 23rd, 1903

         The door was locked. I fiddled with the knob, realizing that the entrance to the theater was closed off. “Come on,” I mutter in frustration. I couldn’t believe I was late for my only chance to see The Great Houdini. I looked around to see if there was another way in. I spotted a green windowsill at the side of the wall. Climbing up the stairs to the ledge, I scaled carefully along the wall. I looked around every second just to be sure no one caught me. I clutched onto the windowsill looking back then opening the shutters. I peeked in from outside into a room full of props and clothes. It appeared to be empty, but I knew I had to be quiet. I use the crux of my umbrella and open it up with all my might, climbing inside and closing it back up with the wood scratching. I hear the doorknob shaking and I freeze. I drop to my hands and my knees to the floor and hide behind a trunk. I peeked over just to get a glimpse of who it was. Dark curly hair, I shrink back behind the trunk as I saw the head turn. Could it be? I crawled on the hardwood as low as I could possibly go. I then freeze again as I heard footsteps getting closer to me. I slowly looked up, and a pair of blue eyes locked mine. A soft gasp escaped his lips as I lowered my head. I stood up, hiding my face in my hat.

“Please don’t tell anyone Mr. Houdini!” I cried “I can explain!” The magician removes my hat from my hands with a soft smile. “You’re not very good at hiding are you,” he teased, “Are you lost?” I brush the dust off my dress and grab my hat back from him. “I ran late, and I have my ticket here.” Houdini turns towards me and lifts an eyebrow darting his eyes at me which had me flustered. I’m not sure if he believed me. I stepped back a bit from him with my ears feeling hot. Houdini gave me a low chuckle, “Don’t worry madam. I don’t bite.” I stumble over the trunk and fall back over. Houdini then with a gripped hand sliding on my silk gloves and he catches me. He then put me back on my feet guiding me towards him. “Careful,” he said. His hand was warm and nice to hold. I then politely let go and bowed my head. “Mr. Houdini, please, I’m so sorry for bothering you.” The young, handsome man gave me a smile. He was not disappointed at all with me. That had all my worry melt away. “No need to apologize. And please. Just call me Harry.” Houdini just stood there for a moment, gazing up and down at me. He then clears his throat, “What might your name be madam?” he spoke a little nervously to my surprise. “Miss Martin.” I reached into my bag to show him my ticket.

         I freeze as he snatches my ticket from my hands, “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Martin.” Harry materializes a pen from his hand, and I couldn’t help but hold back a smile as I see him do a bit of magic. “Of course, I need no introduction.” Between his fingers he clicks the pen and signs his name onto my ticket. He hands it back to me. Houdini bows with one hand stretched behind his back. “Thank you, Mr. Houd… Harry.” I put my ticket back into my bag. Houdini gave a curl to his lips, “If it wouldn’t be much trouble, would you like to observe my show from here? There are only a few minutes until curtain.” He pulls up a chair for me and takes it outside of the dressing room. “Oh! That won’t be necessary.” Harry points to the outside towards the stage. “Or… I could have you in one of those box seats, Miss Martin. If you want. No cost to you.” Harry walks towards the stage and then turns around to see me in the velvet chair he offered me. He gave me a smile as I crossed my legs and took off my hat. It was settled. “Right. I’ll be with you in a minute,” he said, “Better open up my first act.”

 The audience’s applause was deafening as the spotlight shone upon him. With a hand raised he had made the entire venue go silent. “Ladies and Gentlemen! I take great pleasure in introducing to you my first act for tonight.” A few of his assistants began to fasten a strait jacket onto him. “For any normal man, this would be impossible for him to free himself as quick as I!” Harry winces as the assistants tighten up a strap on the back. I watch as he twists and turns his body, struggling against the tough fabric of the straitjacket. He managed to put his arms above his head in a matter of seconds. Houdini uses his legs to get himself onto the stage floor and rocks back and forth on his back. Then, wriggling it right off, Harry, with the straitjacket in his hand drops it and stamps with his feet. The audience erupted with applause as he took a bow panting heavily. I saw his dark curls were dripping with sweat. I clapped standing up and he walked back towards me throwing the musty straitjacket to my feet. He gave me a confident grin with his hands to his hips, “Told you it’d be a minute,” Harry then went running back to the stage. I couldn’t hold in my smile as he looked back at me then turned towards the audience.   

         The show went on, and Harry escaped from every cuff and every device the audience had brought voluntarily. I clap my hands frantically as the backstage becomes dark. The red curtains closed, and Harry paced towards me. He was soothing his sore wrists and rubbing them. I rise from my seat placing my hands on his arms. “That was amazing!” Harry peered down forming a tired smile. “Thank you,” he bows his head with one hand to his chest. It was there that I noticed a scarlet spot on his shirt cuff. He was bleeding! “Houdini! You’re hurt!” I had no hesitation in me as I guided him towards the dressing room then looked around for a couch for him to rest on. “No worries, Miss Martin. This happens all the time.” Harry settles down on a purple sofa in the corner of the room. “There’s no way to determine the quality of the handcuffs I’m given by strangers,” he chuckled, “Each one I get is a surprise.” Harry sighs resting his head on a pillow. I kneeled onto the floor next to him examining the cuts on his forearms as he rolled up his sleeves. He points to a pitcher and basin, and I place them on the table. I handed him the wet washcloth, and he dabbed his forearms as he flinched in pain. I took his hand trying to comfort him to his surprise. He let me with a smile. His hands were callused from years of skill and practice. I trace my fingers along his wrists taking in every detail. I looked up and I found myself staring into his eyes. They were of a beautiful blue with spots of brown around the irises. The magician then lifts himself off the sofa, “I’ll be alright. The show must go on,” he said with a huff. He guides me out of the dressing room leading me back to the chair. “Gotta get ready for the final act for this evening.” Harry dashes back into the dressing room and shuts the door. I lean back into the velvet chair fanning myself. A wide blush crept up to my cheeks and there was one thing I knew for certain. Houdini had cast his spell on me, and I was enchanted by him.

         Finally, the lights had dimmed, and the spotlights shone onto the stage. I see Harry step out the door in a black swimsuit. He had a toned physique and every muscle showed right through it. I was very impressed to say the least. As the curtains open, the audience cheers as he introduces them to his next daring feat. The Milk Can Escape. “And now we have come to the final act for tonight ladies and gentlemen!” The assistants bring out what looked like a huge wooden chest. They then lower the milk can into the box. Two of his assistants began pouring gallons upon gallons of water inside of it. The audience was as shaken as I was as we all watched him get inside the milk can. “Failure of this means a drowning death,” he says with a cheeky smile. My face is etched with worry as his assistants lock a pair of handcuffs onto his wrists. Harry takes a big deep breath before plunging himself. The milk can is sealed, and the assistants secure the box. The seconds become minutes as I sit there, my hands clutching to my chest on the frilly fabric of my blouse. How could he get out of this? A black curtain lowers over the padlocked chest. I hear coughing come from behind the curtain as it rises. There was Houdini standing outside the box all drenched and gasping for air. The audience erupts with thunderous applause as he collapses onto the stage floor. I clap enthusiastically along with them, rising from my seat. The soaked Houdini stands up with victory with his wet curls sticking to his forehead. He mops his wet curls away from his eyes and takes a gracious bow as the curtains close. I got up from my seat and hugged him without hesitation. “You’re alive! Thank goodness!” I backed off feeling my dress all wet. Harry curled his lips to form another charming smile and chuckled at me. “They don’t call it death defying for nothing.” His assistant handed him a dry towel. He wiped the water off his arms and then dried out his hair.

Once the show was over, I headed to the dressing room where I came in. I looked over all the props scattered about searching for my bag, I then saw Houdini behind a screen with his bare neck and shoulders in view. His black swimsuit was on the floor, and I watched as he dried himself off behind the screen. I saw his head turn and I turned away out of respect. Harry then came out from behind the screen buttoning up his dress shirt and putting on a detachable collar. It was there where I decided I had to go. He was too busy, but I knew I couldn’t leave without saying a proper goodbye, so I waited. Harry then approached me giving a bow, “Thank you for coming tonight,” he said. I smiled giving one good last look at him with my hand grazing the doorknob. I feel a gentle hand around my wrist and look down to see that it’s Harry’s hand. “Miss Martin. Wait,” he pleaded. “Will I see you at my show tomorrow night?” I took a minute to answer, knowing I had to bear him the bad news. “I’m sorry Harry, but I have my duty at the library. That’s why I was so desperate to get in. It was my only chance to see you.” I see disappointment pang in his eyes. “But I don’t work until the afternoon,” I said with a smile assuring him. “I could come here tomorrow morning. I’ll help you get things ready for the show! How does that sound?” I felt Harry’s wet hand in mine. “That sounds delightful.” I take in his features, the aquiline nose, his defined jaw and the cupid bow lips which possibly could be the last time. He clears his throat interrupting our contact. “You should be getting home darling. Get some rest.” I smiled back at him with one hand on the open door. Harry waves back as I disappear off into the night.