The Illusionist and The Beggar

ACT I

A town, there was, at the turn of the industrial revolution. Often, there would be smog in the heavens, suffocating the very air it breathed. Today, however, marked the end of the autumn skies. Dark fogs parted and made way for the winds, bringing in soft, white snow which danced throughout the streets. The miracle of winter wasn’t the only magic liberating the lonesome town from darkness. Gabriel the Illusionist had arrived in town, stunning audiences with his captivating displays of magic and illusion.

A town, there was, at the turn of the winter season. A dark corner of a street, where the frosts of the skies and smog of the alleys intertwined, hid a poor, ragged beggar. Covered knee-deep in snow, the beggar lay, ignored by all who happened to cross by his small part of town. Ignored by all, but one.

The Illusionist himself, Gabriel, had perchance to take this path home from another of his shows, and perchance had noticed a tattered figure half-buried in snow, and by a stretch of fate, had noticed something about the poor, lowly man that no other had: a gold-plated pocket watch, clenched within his hands.

“Now how would such an intricately decorated watch happen to befall such a man as yourself, on the corner of this gloom street?” Gabriel asked.

Startled, the beggar gazed up at the towering figure. “I-it doesn’t work” he stuttered, still surprised that a voice was actually being direct towards him. “This little thing hasn’t ticked since as long as I can remember.”

Noticing the stammer in the beggar’s voice, Gabriel gently smiled. “Do not be afraid to speak, kind sir. What is your name?”

Taken aback by the generosity bestowed upon him, the beggar stuttered, trying to recollect the name which he hadn’t used in years. “I-it…it’s Isaac. My name…is Isaac.”

“Well Isaac, I wish to have that pocket watch you have clasped in your hands. Would you kindly part ways with it for me?”

“No!” Isaac exclaimed out at Gabriel, with his grip on his watch tightening, he retreated away “Y-you cannot have this!”

Calmly, Gabriel responded “As you said, the watch no longer works. Why do you wish to keep it?”

“It is the only thing I have left” with a tone of anger rising in his voice, Isaac continued “You’re Gabriel the Illusionist, are you not!? I see posters of you all across town. You’re acts of magic bring you riches and status. I do not have such an easy life as yourself, what would you possibly want with this watch!?”

To Isaac’s surprise, Gabriel continued to gently smile at him. “Well, Isaac, what if I told you my Illusions could bring you that ‘easy-life’ you so desire?”

Eyes wide open, Isaac’s expression of anger made way for pure surprise. “W-what do you mean?”

“My illusions are more than just petty trickery” replied Gabriel. “They extend into the realms of actual magic. If you let go of that watch that you so cherish, I will grant you the better life that you long for”

Shocked at the proposition being handed to him, Isaac reflected on the life that had been given to him and the loneliness he had to endure. Rising from the snow, he reached out his hand, letting go of the watch that he had grasped in his fingers since as long as he could remember. “T-take it…I…I no longer wish to be like this…”

Gabriel, unwavering with his calm smile, took the watch from Isaac’s hands. And with a flick of his wrists, Gabriel had transformed Isaac from the image of a ragged beggar, to a gentleman worthy of standing among the upper class.

Isaac, feeling the bizarre, but strangely comfortable change within himself, glowed in exhilaration. He had finally risen from the depths of the slums. He had finally become somebody.

Before Isaac could express his gratitude, Gabriel’s stern gaze stopped him in his short celebration.

“Listen Isaac, I will show you around the circles of society and let you see your new life. But remember this; you are only a gentleman in appearance, for you do not possess the speech of one. You must not speak, for you are still a beggar. For that is the way things are meant to be, and how they should remain.”

Reflecting upon the conditions, Isaac smiled and nodded, accepting the new life that had been given to him.

ACT II

Isaac was soon invited to a prestigious ball, hosted by one of Gabriel’s highly respected associates. With his newfound image, Isaac walked amongst the people, optimistic in his endeavors in making newfound friends. At first, the people were suspicious of the silent stranger, but the charm of Isaac’s smile soon captivated them, winning over their trust and welcome.

The smiles that were returned to Isaac gave him great joy, for he had not known anything other than disregard from the people around him. Though with the newfound happiness that he had acquired, Isaac did not speak, for that is the way things are meant to be, and how they should remain.

Through the sea of people that had shown him warmth and kindness, there was one that had caught Isaac’s eye like no other. He could not stop himself from watching her move graciously across the ballroom. A stunning beauty dressed in a flowing, yellow gown, gliding across the floor with such elegance as she danced. For the first time since his transformation, Isaac was truly speechless.

Garnering all the courage within him, Isaac made his way across to her. Thoughts racing across his mind, Isaac imagined any possible way he would be able to get her to notice him, but before he could come up with a conclusion, she had already turned around, and smiled at him. With a skip of his heartbeat, Isaac moved forward and did the only thing he could do: he smiled back.

“Hello, my name is Isabelle. Please to meet your acquaintance” She said, as she bowed to greet him.

Isaac followed suit, and bowed back to her, though he did not say a word.

At first puzzled, Isabelle soon came to understood the silent greeting “You must be Mr. Gabriel’s acquaintance, Isaac.”

Isaac shyly smiled back and nodded.

“Well Mr. Isaac, would you care for a dance with me?” Isabelle asked.

Accepting the kind offer, Isaac extended his hand and the two locked arms as they soared their way across the ballroom. All those around them watched and were spellbound by the grace of their dance.

The two would continue to meet throughout the night of the winter weeks of December, captivating all who were fortunate enough to witness the beauty of their waltz. It was within those moments, that Isaac felt enchantment that even Gabriel himself would not be able to conjure up. He was happy.

ACT III

The night of Christmas Eve, Isaac sat at within his chambers, content with his new life, yet resenting how he was unable to speak his mind and thoughts.

“Isaac” Gabriel said, as he approached “You look bothered. What seems to be the matter tonight?”

And with a look at Isaac’s face, Gabriel soon knew what was troubling him.

“Isaac, I know it must be difficult, but you must not speak to anyone, especially to Isabelle. Remember, you are still a beggar, and that is how things are meant to be.” And with that caution, Gabriel left him to his own thoughts.

Isaac begun to heed the warning of Gabriel, but throughout the hours of the night, he’s determination waned. He decided to go see her, but promised himself he would not speak a word of his thoughts.

Isaac ran to see her one more time before the dawn of Christmas. And there she was, sitting atop her balcony, looking up at the night sky as snowflakes softly glided their way to the earth. Isaac gazed up at the part of the stars where Isabelle had been watching. As he looked back down, she had gone.

Darting his eyes back and forth, he tried searching for her once again.

“Isaac!” a voice exclaimed in excitement in the distance. It was Isabelle dashing across the doorway entrance to see him. “I didn’t expect to see you until the Christmas dinner planned for tomorrow”

As usual, Isaac’s response was to only smile. Though, Isabelle was the only person that understood what he was trying to say without him speaking.

Smiling back, Isabelle handed a box tied by a silky bow to Isaac “I was saving this present for you until Christmas, but since you are here already, I thought you would like to have it now”

Surprised, Isaac proceeded to unravel the box.

“When I came across this on my way to the jewelry store, I immediately thought of you. I do hope you don’t hate it too much” Isabelle chuckled.

As Isaac opened it, he saw what was inside. Hands shaking, eyes shocked. He stared blankly back at her. Inside the box was a ticking, gold-plated pocket watch. The very same watch, only now it was working.

“You know Isaac, I was only joking when I said I hope you don’t hate it too much. But that’s not a problem, I’ll try harder to get you a better present next year” Isabelle chuckled, this time with a slight hint of disappointment in her voice.

“No Isabelle…it’s lovely” Isaac replied.

Stunned, Isabelle could do nothing but just stare back at Isaac, and finally smile at the sound of his voice.

“Isabelle, I’ve been wanting to tell you something for the longest of time…” Isaac continued, as he began to tell her the thoughts which were hiding within his heart. Even though he was going against the warning of Gabriel, Isaac could not stop expressing his feelings. He didn’t want to stop.

Unbeknownst to Isaac, as he spoke, he no longer bore the image of a gentleman. He was turning back into his former self. Isabelle’s smile slowly faded to that of disgust. Before Isaac knew what was happening, it was too late. He was now a beggar. Seeing the true Isaac in front of her, Isabelle turned away and screamed, attracting the attention of all those near. The people around saw, not Isaac, but just a poorly, ragged man. And so, they chased him away, and Isaac ran, with the watch clenched tightly within his hands, back into the streets where he came from.

A town, there was, at the turn of the winter season. A dark corner of a street, where the frosts of the skies and smog of the alleys intertwined, yelled a poor, ragged beggar.

“Gabriel!!! Where are you!??”

And from the darkness of the night, Gabriel appeared.

“Isaac, I warned you not to speak. What had come to pass was your own doing.”

“Gabriel,” Isaac pleaded, “turn me back. Please! I know not to speak anymore, I’ve learned my mistakes!”

“I am sorry Isaac, but I am not able to do that. Not only did you speak, but you spoke from the heart, revealing who you truly are inside. No amount of magic can hide who you are now. You are a beggar.” And with those final words, Gabriel disappeared from Isaac’s life, never to be seen from again.

And there, buried knee-deep in snow, lay a poorly, ragged beggar, clenching tightly within his hands a gold-plated pocket watch that slowly began to slow down ‘till not a tick could be heard from it again. For that is the way things are meant to be and how they should remain.