Now appearances can be deceptive, as any good street magician knows. For this is no robbery in progress. Sure, the tourists among the crowd are about to be relieved of their personal effects while the fireworks distract them, but every single item will be returned to their rightful owner. Then a very different kind of display can begin.
“Moving in now,” confirms Billy, so close that he can hear this unsuspecting family speaking in a tongue that means nothing to him. It could be French, Portuguese, Eskimo, even Martian. It doesn’t matter to Billy. The language barrier would only be a problem should one of them turn and catch him in the act, but he hadn’t had to explain himself for years. Not since he turned professional, out here with the crew on the streets of the capital.
Much of their haul will be replaced straight away, like the passport Billy lifts with ease. It’s the same with any unsent postcards for home, also the identity cards and driving licences. Such things are good for personal information only, as the boy demonstrates on scrawling details across the palm of his hand. The valuables? These urchins keep hold of what they can, but only for the time being. In a moment from now, just as soon as the fireworks have finished, so another spectacle will commence. Firstly, one crew member will start coughing. Just a tickle in the throat at first, but worsening steadily until he finds himself fighting for breath. He’ll fall to his knees in the centre of the square, and keep up the song and dance until the crowd surround him. Another crew member will appeal for a doctor, knowing with absolute certainty that one will step out. There, the unsuspecting medic will diagnose an obstruction in the poor lad’s windpipe. Immediately he’ll haul the boy into his arms from behind, clasp his hands squarely under his ribcage and attempt to squeeze some life back into him.
With just seconds to spare, it will seem, the doctor saves the day. For the manoeuvre he’s so quick to perform forces all the air to leave the boy’s lungs. At once the blockage pops from his mouth like a cork from a bottle. Except it won’t be a cork but a crumpled playing card. An unusual sight, everyone will agree, and with much relief as the lad draws in his first free breath. But then it will be the turn of the crowd to gasp collectively when his accomplice plucks the card from the pavement and reveals . . . the doctor’s name penned across it!
Before anyone has had a chance to question what they’ve witnessed, the rest of the crew will make their move, coughing up jewellery and heirlooms belonging to those around them. Not for the first time that night, the crowd will applaud a dazzling display, and then part with their small change when one of the newbies comes around with his Little League cap in hand. For this kind of magic makes money, and once the band of young illusionists has cleaned up they’ll head for the alley where Billy had been loitering.
There, in the shadows at the dead end, they’ll vanish one by one. Should an awe-struck tourist watch them depart, it might appear to be one almighty disappearing act. To those who know, however, they’ll be simply dropping through a gap in a buckled vent too small for an adult to squeeze through. What lies beneath? Let’s not reveal too much too soon. For the performance has yet to take place. Indeed, the kid assigned to take centre stage is currently seeking out a good spot to fall to his knees and fight for breath, while the rest of the crew continue to slip business cards and bracelets from as many people as possible. When the command comes up from the bunker to begin the stunt, it will proceed exactly as foreseen. After all, as every good street illusionist knows, this kind of magic depends on perfect preparation.
Besides, it’s what’s going off over London, not under it, which commands everyone’s attention right now.
Every time a rocket explodes over Chinatown, the faces down below are lit up for a moment. Some cup their brows to counter the flares. Others point or keep taking pictures as if this is something they want to remember for a long time to come.
Then again, this isn’t just a little show of special effects to brighten the lives of the citizens of this city. It also serves to cover an event that’s even more magical, but which some would prefer to keep a lid on. For it’s hard to keep a secret in a city that never sleeps. There’s always someone around to witness things they really shouldn’t see. That’s why a distraction such as this is perfect, and not just for street magicians to go about their business. For even if anyone does chance to look around as the fireworks go off, including these young impresarios, they’d simply assume that what’s occurring is part of the performance.
Unless, of course, some washed-up soul chanced to be watching from the sidelines, and witnessed the bigger picture.