Free A Grim Mistake by Marc J. Riley Page B

few choice gigs too. That was until the fool got drunk and plowed his car into a crowd of tourists on Hollywood Boulevard.
     
    Luckily, there were no serious injuries but the cops had been talking about some hard time as a lesson.
     
    Denny Brice had schmoozed his way into the judges chambers, glad-handed the ADA on the case, spread around some Lakers court-side tickets, and walked out of there with nothing more than a stiff warning for the remorseful prestidigitator.
     
    Now Denny Brice intended to collect on that debt.
     
    He followed along behind the oblivious trio as they darted from one sideshow stand to another; always being sure to stay out of sight.
     
    Finally, they came to the end of the pier where Grimm had set up his street act. Some Asian tourists were being entertained by an endless chain of scarves being plucked from the elderly mamasan’s ear when Denny Brice caught Grimm’s eye.
     
    With a nod of his head, he indicated the laughing girls approaching from the side. Grimm nodded back in acknowledgement quickly putting away the scarves and shooing the tourists away.
     
    Kaori approached first, leading the way. Grimm, smiling his best smile, pulled a rose out of thin air and handed it to the sexy Geisha.
     
    Kaori was delighted and turned to show it to her best friends.
     
    “Oooh,’ she cooed, “did you see that.”
     
    “Yes, yes. That was very nice.” Stephanie agreed skeptically.
     
    “I don’t care what you think,” Kaori objected playfully, “I think he’s wonderful.”
     
    Grimm approached the girls.
     
    “I thank you, Mademoiselle,” Grimm condescended, “but the young lady is, however regretfully, correct. Such minor tricks as this are mere trinkets to a true magician.”
     
    Stephanie moued at Kaori as Emilie laughed.
     
    “And are you a true magician,” Emilie challenged, staring boldly at the tall man.
     
    “One has that honor, my lady,” Grimm demurred, “though life does not always provide great rewards for great talent.”
     
    “So show us what you got.” Stephanie demanded.
     
    “Well, let me see now,” Grimm hesitated, “why don’t I progress through my repertoire and you can inform me when you’ve reached a level of difficulty satisfactory enough to overcome your innate skepticism? Agreed?”
     
    All three young women nodded affirmative, entertained already by the tall performer’s eccentric manner. It didn’t hurt that their drinks had gone down smoothly either. They were ready for some fun.
     
    “Let’s proceed, then,” Grimm advised, “I would like you…” he said pointing to Stephanie, “to think of a number, any number.”
     
    “Oh, right, then you’re gonna guess it. Lame-O.”
     
    “Not at all, miss.” Grimm denied, “I have no way of knowing what number you might possibly conceive. A guess is not magic. Please, bear with me.”
     
    “Alright then…let’s see…okay, I’ve got it.”
     
    “Now, hold that number in your mind. Concentrate with every ounce of will on that number and only that number. Close your eyes if it would help.”
     
    Stephanie obligingly closed her eyes while Grimm stood stock still in front of the three girls.
     
    “On the count of three I want you to open your eyes and your number will be revealed.”
     
    Stephanie nodded.
     
    “One….two….three!”
     
    Stephanie opened her eyes expectantly.
     
    “Huynh? Well, that sucks, bub. Where’s my number?”
     
    Grimm smiled slyly, “Miss, I said your number would be revealed, I didn’t say I would be the one to reveal it. Besides, Miss, I am much too much of an old-fashioned gentleman to be so bold.”
     
    “What do you mean?”
     
    Turning to Kaori, Grimm addressed her, “Would you be so kind miss as to look down your blouse and see what, if anything is there.”
     
    “Hey! What kind of crack is that?”
     
    “My pardons, Miss, I meant no disrespect” Grimm cajoled, “I suspect you have acquired a rather permanent marking on your