The piano player sat down. For a moment he paused. Then he opened his hands.
From his fingertips emerged a shining coin.
The pianist spread 88 playing cards smoothly in a row. Every listener picked one card. With a touch he found it.
A flower sprang from his sleeve.
Inescapable ropes were cast aside with the twist of his hand.
Handcuffs fell off.
Into the black cauldron his moving fingers stirred fallen tears, a sprinkle of stars, lost memory, alchemy.
A white rabbit leaped from the cabinet, vanishing.
Applause.
Short Stories by Richard 