The Third Movement

by Neil Patrick Harris

  “Good people of Mineral Wells!” Leila called to a few passersby. “Our magic club needs a volunteer to check that these knots are solid. Is anyone willing to help?”

  From around the town green, people stared, unsure if they should approach. Then a familiar group of five boys crossed the street.

  Theo’s bow slipped. A shriek echoed from his strings.

  “We’ll help you,” said the largest of the five, coming to the bottom of the gazebo steps. The others flanked him. Up close, Theo was certain that these were the bullies who had bothered him and the other Misfits earlier in the summer. A squishy feeling settled in his stomach, and he felt a rustling of feathers at his ribs.

  Carter, Olly, Izzy, and Ridley were all connected by Leila’s single white rope, and they looked as worried as Theo felt. Then, to his surprise, Leila waved the largest boy onto the gazebo platform. “Step right up,” she said. “What’s your name?”

  “You know it’s Tyler,” he answered. Theo remembered that Leila knew these boys well, as they were her classmates during the school year. Since Theo attended private school, he luckily ran into them less.

  Leila whispered to the bully, “No funny business, Tyler.”

  Tyler whispered back, “But I’m hilarious.” Then he smiled wide, showing his teeth.

  “Hilarious-looking,” Ridley murmured, and Tyler frowned at her. Theo wanted to step between them and demand that the boy get off the stage, but his tongue appeared to be stuck to the roof of his mouth.

  Leila’s voice came out like a squeak. “Please check the knots, Tyler, and make sure I tied up my friends tightly.”

  “Glad to,” he said with a smirk, then pulled hard at the rope around Carter’s wrists, pinching his pink skin.

  “Ouch!” Carter cried.

  “Hey!” Ridley yelled. “Knock it off!”

  Tyler moved on to Olly and Izzy, pulling the knots tighter around their ankles.

  The twins yelped.

  “Quit it!” Leila scolded, pushing the boy’s hands away from her friends. Tyler shoved her back. Theo felt chills of rage. He started to rush over, intending to thwack the jerk across the skull with his bow, when another idea popped into his head.…

  “You all think you’re so amazing!” Tyler scoffed. “You’re no better than the rest of us.” His cronies sneered in agreement.

  “We never said we were,” said Leila. “We only want to make people smile.”

  “Mission accomplished,” said Tyler. “I’m smiling.”

  Leila’s own fake grin was gone. “Not for long,” she muttered. She nodded at the tied-up Misfits, then clapped her hands over her head. Carter, Olly, Izzy, and Ridley made a swift movement.

  And the rope disappeared! Standing on the stage, they were all free as birds.

  And speaking of birds…

  Theo opened his tuxedo jacket, releasing several white doves that he had been concealing for the grand finale. The doves circled the ceiling of the gazebo. When Theo clucked his tongue, the birds dive-bombed Tyler, who stumbled, trying to escape their sharp beaks and claws. He teetered at the top step and then tumbled down into his friends at the bottom, sending them sprawling onto the grass.

  “You were right!” Olly called out to the boy. “You are hilarious!”

  “A genuine chuckle-factory!” added Izzy.

  As the doves flew out from inside the gazebo to circle the town green, Tyler stood up and pointed at Theo. “You’re gonna regret that!”

  Straightening his tuxedo, Theo stuck out his tongue and released a long, musical raspberry. He waved his bow, as if conducting a symphony of spittle. The sound was so surprising that the bullies froze and stared at him.

  You see, my friend, the raspberry was a misdirection, a classic magician’s trick. It made the boys pause just long enough for the doves to receive Theo’s signal—his bow waving in the air—and react.

  Little white splashes rained down onto the heads of the bullies. Splat! Splat! Splat!

  “Ugh,” cried one of them, glancing upward, only to be greeted with a splash right on the tip of his nose.

  “What is this?” asked another, wiping the goo from his hair.

  “Those birds!” shrieked a third. “They’re… going to the bathroom on us!”

  “Gross!” shouted Tyler. “Run!”

  The bullies scattered in all directions. Moments later, the doves settled onto the roof of the gazebo, awaiting further instruction.

  “Is everyone all right?” Theo asked his friends.

  “My wrists are a little sore,” said Carter. “But at least the rope trick worked.”

  “You guys did great!” Leila chirped, retrieving the rope, which had recoiled by spring into a space inside Ridley’s wheelchair. “Grace under pressure.”

  “Pressure?” echoed Carter. “That felt more like torture.”

  “It was worth it,” Izzy and Olly said in unison.

  Theo waited for someone to mention his doves, but his hopes were interrupted by the unmistakable sound of someone clapping.

  The Misfits looked around. Theo worried that the bullies had come back. Instead, he saw a girl with long blond hair dressed all in black, including a beret that was tilted to the side of her head. She clapped slowly, like a ticking clock. With every smack of her hands, her feet stepped in time, bringing her closer and closer to the gazebo.

  TWO

  The girl in black had hypnotized the Misfits.

  Theo stared as she crossed the lawn, unsure if she would become even more trouble than the group of boys. “Please tell me you all planned every moment of that,” the girl said. “Bird poo included.”

  “We wish!” said Carter. “Might be something to remember for next time, though.”

  “I’ll be sure to pick nicer volunteers during our actual performance,” Leila added with a grimace.

  Ridley cleared her throat. “And who are you?” she asked the girl.

  “Oh, sorry. I’m Emily Meridian.” Meridian? thought Theo. Where have I heard that name before? “I stay with my dad during the summer sometimes. The rest of the year, I’m with my mother in another town upstate.”

  Leila came down the steps and pulled Emily into a friendly hug. “Welcome to Mineral Wells! I’m Leila Vernon.”

  Emily squirmed at the unexpected embrace, but released a surprised giggle when Leila let go.

  Ridley wheeled down the ramp straddling the gazebo staircase. “I’m Ridley Larsen. The boy with the violin is Theo Stein-Meyer. Carter Locke is the blue-eyed blond. And the twins are Olly and Izzy Golden. With Leila, we are the Magic Misfits.”

  “I know who you are,” said Emily. “The whole town knows about you. And after seeing what you just did to those creeps, I’d say you’re the ones to beat at the talent show.”

  Theo felt a flush of pride. “Are you participating too?” he asked.

  Emily shook her head. “I don’t really have a tal—”

  Just then, from the bushes at the base of the gazebo, Tyler leapt up, clutching a handful of wet earth. He ratcheted his arm back before flinging the crud at Theo. It hit him, WHUMP, right in the chest, splattering across his white tuxedo shirt.

  Before Theo could react, Emily bolted to the bully’s side. “Leave them alone!”

  “Or what?” Tyler moved to push her, but she swiveled, and he tripped past her. He reached out to grab her arm, but she swung it around, and Tyler ended up on the ground. “Ow!” he said through a mouthful of grass before turning onto his back.

  “That was nothing, Tyler,” Emily growled. Before he could get up, she placed her foot lightly on his chest, leaving a mark similar to the one the dirt had left on Theo. “If you don’t want your mom to know how you’ve been treating my new friends, you’ll knock it off. She’s at my father’s store right now. Should we walk back there together?”

  “Get off me!” Tyler yelled as Emily put more weight on his chest.

  “Promise you’ll leave them alone,” she warned.

  “Fine! I won’t d
o it again!”

  Emily removed her foot and helped him up. Tyler gave her one last nasty look, then took off in search of his pals.

  Theo was floored. He had seen plenty of magic before, especially after spending so much time with the Misfits at Mr. Vernon’s magic shop. But he had not experienced anything so spectacular as this girl taking out an oaf six inches taller than her and at least twenty pounds heavier.

  “That was—” Carter started.

  “—awesome!” Leila finished.

  “Impressive,” Ridley decided.

  Olly and Izzy immediately began to re-create the scuffle on the gazebo platform, adding gymnastic flourishes and staccato tap-dance moves.

  “Thank you, Emily,” Theo added. He placed his violin gently on the floor so he could wipe the clump of mud from his stomach. “But were you not worried about him hurting you?”

  “That doofus?” Emily smirked. “No way. I’ve known Tyler since he was still eating mashed peas. Even better, our parents are close friends. He knows I’ll tell his mother if he’s bothering someone. It takes a lot worse to scare me.”

  “Us too,” said Carter, clutching his suspenders. Then he glanced around nervously. “Usually.”

  “You said your father owns a store,” Theo mentioned. “Which one?”

  “Meridian’s Music,” Emily answered. “It’s just down the street.”

  “Of course! I go there all the time with my father. Meridian’s is where he bought me this very violin. Does this mean your father is—”

  “Mick Meridian. The owner. He’s the best at what he does.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Theo raised his hand, and his violin lifted up off the floor. When its neck met his palm, he brought his bow to the strings and played a quick, happy melody.

  His friends all clapped, while Emily nodded. “Pretty.”

  “I did not know Mr. Meridian had a daughter,” said Theo.

  Emily frowned. “You mean… he’s never mentioned me?”

  Theo blushed. “I am sure he would have—”

  Emily grinned. “I’m kidding!” She knocked his shoulder lightly. “My dad’s pretty busy while he’s at the store. It’s not a big deal.”

  Theo chuckled self-consciously. He suddenly felt a little too warm.

  Across the street, a bell jingled as the door to Vernon’s Magic Shop swung open. “Leila! Carter!” called Mr. Vernon, standing in the entry. “Change-O has been racing around the store nonstop. As wonderful as I think it is that you’ve been practicing with your friends, I would appreciate it if you would come feed him before he knocks over another jar of fake eyeballs!” Mr. Vernon’s curly white hair sprang from his head like a shock of whipped potatoes, and his black mustache sat on his upper lip like a smear of tapenade. He wore his usual dark, formal suit, shiny black shoes, a top hat, and a long cape tied at his neck. The first time Theo had encountered Mr. Vernon, he had been so taken with the tuxedo the magician had been wearing that Theo had become inspired to wear them too.

  A hunger pang gurgled in Theo’s belly, and he realized how late the day had grown. He pulled a chain watch from his jacket pocket. “Oh good,” he said. “I still have time before dinner. My parents hate it when I am late.”

  “Do they hate you being late?” asked Ridley. “Or do they just wish you spent more time practicing your violin?”

  “A little of both.”

  “But they’d have to be impressed by that bird poo trick!” Emily said with a laugh.

  “I doubt they would want to know about it,” Theo replied sheepishly.

  “Coming, Dad!” Leila answered. She glanced at her friends. “You guys want to help feed the monkey?”

  “Not if he feeds me first!” Izzy joked.

  Ridley shook her head. “That… doesn’t make sense.”

  “What if he eats you first?” asked Olly.

  “Change-O wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Carter said.

  “Too bad, because I hear they’re highly nutritious,” Izzy said with a wink.

  “Let’s go,” Ridley said. “Mr. Vernon is getting sick of holding the door open.” She was right—Mr. Vernon was tapping his foot, and with each tap, a red handkerchief bounced up and down in the pocket of his black jacket—a flashing alarm.

  The group looked both ways at the edge of the road. Ridley peered at Emily. “Oh, you’re coming too?”

  Emily nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ve always wanted to meet a monkey. You don’t mind, do you, Leila?”

  “He’s Carter’s monkey,” Ridley corrected.

  “It’s okay,” Carter answered, with a hint of skepticism.

  Ridley pursed her lips and moved her chair forward, managing to hold her sharp tongue.

  As they reached the magic shop’s door, Theo’s doves cooed from the roof of the gazebo, where they pecked at the weathered green shingles. Theo wasn’t worried, though. He knew the birds would follow him home when he was ready. For now, he wished only to learn more about the mysterious new girl who was walking beside him.

  HOW TO…

  Find a Spectator’s Card

  I bet you would like to know more about the mysterious girl dressed in black too. But wait… we have a new trick to learn first!

  You will want to practice this one very hard, because it will come in handy when combined with another trick I will share later. Maybe place a bookmark near this page so you can easily find it again. (If you do not have a bookmark, a feather will work. Or a rose petal. Or a fake mustache! You keep those in your bedroom, right? I do as well.)

  WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  A regular deck of playing cards

  STEPS:

  1. Before you start, memorize the card on the bottom of the deck. We will call this card the key card.

  2. Spread the cards out, facedown. Ask a volunteer to pick one of the cards. Tell them to show the card to the rest of the audience, but make sure you turn away so you do not see it.

  3. Separate the deck into two piles, and then ask your volunteer to place their card on top of the first pile. Take the second pile and place it on top of the volunteer’s card, bringing the full deck back together. The card that you have memorized (the key card) should now be directly on top of the volunteer’s card. (Reminder: You still do not know which card the volunteer has chosen.)

  4. Hand the deck to the volunteer and ask them to cut the deck several times. (Cutting a deck means separating the deck into two piles, then taking the bottom pile and placing it on top of the other pile.) When your volunteer is ready, take back the deck.

  5. Spread the cards out, this time faceup, so that you can see them.

  6. Locate the card you memorized—the key card! The key card will be directly underneath the card that the volunteer chose.

  Hint: If you find the key card on the top of the deck, the volunteer’s card will be the card on the bottom of the deck.

  7. Present them with their card! Be as creative as you like about what you say when presenting.

  8. Now take a bow!

  THREE

  It always amazed Theo how magical Vernon’s Magic Shop felt, even as he entered for what might have been the thousandth time. The air seemed to shimmer. Light from the front window reached the farthest parts of the farthest wall, illuminating dusty volumes of cracked leather books marked with mysterious symbols. There were tables crammed with crystal balls, playing cards, and packets of flash paper. Racks of robes, capes, multicolored scarves, and satin black top hats crowded another area. (Also, a rabbit named Top Hat was hopping up and down the aisles! Silly, I know!)

  “I’ve barricaded Change-O,” said Mr. Vernon, nodding slightly to the rear bookcases. “In the you-know-what.”

  The Misfits moved toward the hidden space behind the shelves, the room their magic club used for meetings. But Ridley glided ahead of everyone, then spun around, clearing her throat loudly. “Here is far enough,” she said, raising an eyebrow at Emily.

  A telltale screeching immediately sounded from behind the boo
kcases.

  Emily looked as if she were trying to suppress a smile. “Let me guess. There’s a concealed door in these shelves. And behind it is the monkey.”

  “Why would you think that?” Carter asked guiltily.

  “Don’t tell us you’re a psychic,” said Olly. “We just had a really bad experience with one of those.”

  “I’ll test her,” said Izzy, skipping forward. She stared into Emily’s eyes. “What shape am I thinking of? If you say triangle, I’ll be amazed. Oh, wait…”

  “I’m not psychic,” Emily answered. “It’s just… I can clearly hear a monkey screeching behind that wall.”

  Suddenly, Mr. Vernon was standing beside the group. “Very astute, young lady,” he said, holding out a white-gloved hand to Emily. When she went to shake it, a shimmery bouquet of silver flowers appeared, and he gave them to her instead. Her eyes grew wide with surprise.

  “This is Emily,” Theo said. “Her father owns the music shop down the street, where I got my violin. She’s visiting for the summer.”

  Mr. Vernon tilted his head, a look of recognition glinting in his gaze. “Of course! How is my old friend Mick?”

  “Dad’s doing pretty well. Thanks.” Emily shook his hand. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Vernon.”

  “Funny that it doesn’t happen more often, Emily. Most young people who live in Mineral Wells tend to set foot inside my magic shop at least once a year.”

  “But I don’t live in Mineral Wells,” Emily answered. “And besides, I’m not so much into magic.”

  The shimmery feeling of the shop suddenly disappeared. Theo felt his stomach go cold, but then he remembered that the mud was still drying there.

  When Emily noticed everyone’s expressions, she stammered, “I—I like magic. I’m just not any good at it. Not like you guys. Mr. Vernon, have you seen what they can—”