Чужак в чужой стране

           Arealmagiciancanmakethemarksopentheirmouthsandcatchfliesjustbypickingaquarteroutoftheair.ThatThurston’slevitationyoudo–I’veneverseenitdoneanymoreperfectlybutthemarksdon’twarmtoit.Nopsychology.Nowtakeme,forexample.Ican’tevenpickaquarteroutoftheair–hell,Icanbarelyuseaknifeandforkwithoutcuttingmymouth.Igotnoact?exceptIgottheoneactthatcounts.Iknowmarks.Iknowwherethatstreakoflarcenyisinhisheart,Iknowjusthowwideitis.Iknowwhathehungersfor,whetherheknowsitornot.That’sshowmanship,son,whetheryou’reapoliticianrunningforoffice,apreacherpoundingapulpit?oramagician.Youfindoutwhatthechumpswantandyoucanleavehalfyourpropsinyourtrunk."

           "I’msureyou’reright."

           "IknowIam.Hewantssexandbloodandmoney.Wedon’tgivehimanyrealblood–unlessafireeateroraknifethrowermakesaterriblemistake.Wedon’tgivehimmoney,either;wejustencouragehimtohopeforitwhilewetakeawayalittle.Wedon’tgivehimanyrealsex.Butwhydosevenoutoftenofatipbuytheblow-off?Toseeanekkidbroad,that’swhy–andachancetobepaidadoublesawbuckforlookin’–whenmaybetheygotonejustasgoodorbetterathome,nekkidanytimetheylike.Sohedon’tseeoneandhedon’tgetpaid–andstillwesendhimouthappy.

           "Whatelsedoesachumpwant?Mystery!Hewantstothinkthattheworldisaromanticplacewhenheknowsdamnwellitain’t.