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           Shortlythetalker-owner-manageroftheten-in-onecamebackintothesemi-darkenedtent,havingrushedtheblow-offandspilledthelastmarksouttherearexit."Smitty,don’tgo‘way.Gotsomethingforyou."Hehandedthemagiciananenvelope,whichDr.Apollotuckedawaywithoutlookingatit.Themanageradded,"Kid,Ihatetotellyouthis–butyouandyourwifeain’tgoingwithustoPaducah."

           "Iknow."

           "Well?look,don’ttakeithard,there’snothingpersonalaboutit–butIgottothinkoftheshow.We’rereplacingyouwithamentalistteam.Theydoatopreadingact,thensherunsaphrenologyandmittcampwhilehemakeswiththemadball.Weneed’em?andyouknowaswellasIdoyoudidn’thavenoseason’sguarantee.Youwerejustontrial."

           "Iknow,"agreedthemagician."Iknewitwastimetoleave.Nohardfeelings,Tim."

           "Well,I’mgladyoufeelthatwayaboutit."Thetalkerhesitated."Smitty,doyouwantsomeadvice?Justsaynoifyoudon’t."

           "Iwouldlikeverymuchtohaveyouradvice,"themagiciansaidsimply.

           "Okay,youaskedforit.Smitty,yourtricksaregood.Hell,someof’emevengotmebaffled.Butclevertricksdon’tmakeamagician.Thetroubleisyou’renotreallywithit.Youbehavelikeacarney–youmindyourownbusinessandyounevercrabanybodyelse’sactandyou’rehelpfulifanybodyneedsit.Butyou’renotacarney.Youknowwhy?Youdon’thaveanyfeelingforwhatmakesachumpachump;youdon’tgetinsidehismind.