Arcana (Hermes)/Side Tale 2

(Amuse Street: Amuse Street Crossroads)

 Arcana: Mona, is it alright with you if I patrol this section and you take the other side?
(ARCANA: Union Ops Chief)

 Mona: I don’t see why not. Looks like an easy mission to me.
(MONA: Union Ops Chief, Arcana’s Squad Member)

 Arcana: You’re always so reliable, Mona.

 Mona: Don’t mention it. Remember to meet back here in half an hour.

 Arcana: Not a problem.

 Mona: And don’t be late again! I don’t want to hear any more excuses about how something weird or wonderful caught your attention.

 Arcana: Last time really was an accident.

 Mona: And the time before that too?

 Arcana: (Cough) Anyway, I will be very careful.
Arcana starts his street patrol as Mona departs. His ears are soon drawn to the not-too-distant sound of children laughing and cheering.
Arcana approaches the source of the laughter. He sees a local street magician performing for a gaggle of excited children.
**Little Boy**: Hey, Mr Magician, can you do that again?
**Magician**: Yes, young lad, but I don’t have any tools. I’m going to need a few of those special numbered cards that your parents gave you.
**Little Boy**: Here!
The boy hands multiple dollar bills over to the magician.

 Arcana: He’s got some skill, this magician. But, seriously, tricking money from kids like that?
Arcana joins the magician in the center of the makeshift circle, attracting the attention of the same boy.
**Magician**: And you are?
**Little Boy**: Hey mister, are you a magician too?

 Arcana: You think so?
**Little Boy**: Top hat, cloak - you’re a magician too! Are you going to perform?

 Arcana: Momentarily!
**Little Boy**: Ooh, I want to see! Show us! Show us now!

 Arcana: (Cough, cough) Behold!
**Little Boy**: You can do it, mister!
Arcana magically extracts all of the dollar bills that the magician took from the children from his own pocket.

 Arcana: What do you think?
**Little Boy**: Amazing!
**Magician**: Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Muscling in on my business?

 Arcana: Oh no, I would never dream of doing that. I’m just adding a bit of excitement.
Arcana leans in close to the magician to whisper in his ear.

 Arcana: I saw you trick those kids out of their money, you can’t trick me.

 Arcana: If you don’t want to deal with the police, next time, I suggest you clean up your act.
**Magician**: We’ll see about that!
The magician vanishes with a well-timed puff of smoke.

 Arcana: Oh no, looks like he’s given up!
**Little Boy**: Wow! That is so cool!

 Arcana: Magic tricks from the extreme to the extraordinary! Young lad, behold!
**Little Boy**: Wow, that’s amazing! You can make people appear out of thin air!

 Arcana: Save your excitement, my young friends, I haven’t even begun!
**Little Boy**: You mean you didn’t conjure her?

 Arcana: Conjure who? What are you talking about?
**Little Boy**: There’s a lady with silver hair behind you!
Arcana turns around slowly. Mona is standing there, panting, staring at him.

 Mona: Arcana! Half an hour! You were meant to meet me back there in half an hour! And here you are goofing around!

 Arcana: Wait, Mona, let me explain.

 Mona: There’s nothing to explain. Save it for when we’re back at the Union!
**Little Boy**: Are you going, mister? What about your trick?

 Arcana: Ah, yes, I have one more trick to show you: would you like to see my incredible vanishing act?
**Little Boy**: Okay!

 Arcana: Mona, look over there.

 Mona: I have things to do. Not now.

 Arcana: I’m serious! There’s a group of armed thieves!

 Mona: What? Oh, what are we waiting for then?

 Arcana: Now!

 Mona: Arcana, are you quite sure that -
Mona turns her head to find out Arcana has vanished.

 Mona: ARCANA!
**Little Boy**: Wow. That’s real magic!