He caught her outside the theater. “Good evening,” he said, twirling the moustache under his large nose like a silent-screen villain.

Surprised to see the man, Theo adjusted her spectacles. It had been a long two days and she was eager to get to her rooms. There was a wrinkle in the illusion that needed ironing out before she would connect with her pillow that night.

“Good evening,” she answered, ever polite no matter how weary.

“You’re working late,” the man noted, checking the time on his pocket watch.

“Oh, you know what they say.” She lifted her hem to step off the curb. “No rest for the wicked.” For some reason, she could not take her gaze from the pocket watch, now swaying to and fro.

“That’s a lovely watch,” she said. After five fros, her voice changed. It was dull, automatic. “I am at your command,” she said.

The man chuckled. Oh, this was rich. This was sweet! The earlier afternoon session had been successful. She really was in his power.

“You remember what you are to do?” he asked, barely able to control his joy as he anticipated the answer.

“I am to stop the elephant from vanishing,” she said. “I am to ruin Houdini.”

The watch stopped its swinging. It was returned to the man’s vest pocket. “Very good.” He snapped his fingers. “You’re working late,” he said.

“Oh, you know what they say.” Theo stepped off the curb. “No rest for the wicked.” She crossed Sixth Avenue, eager to get home, feeling surprisingly refreshed, despite the long and stress-filled day.