Ch5-Together

CHAPTER FIVE Together Jack whirled around and started back up Surf Avenue. The sidewalk was so crowded, he had to jump off the curb into the street and trot alongside the old-timey cars and the horses and buggies. When Jack reached the theater, people were still making their way inside. He squeezed through the

crowd, trying not to push anyone too hard. "Excuse me, excuse me," he said. He tried to sneak his way past the ticket taker, but the man grabbed him. "Ticket, sonny?" "I don't have a ticket," said Jack. "I just need to get backstage fast." "Beat it, kid," said the ticket taker. "Wait!" said Jack. He pointed at the chalkboard announcing their act. "I'm Jolly Jack. See?" "I don't see nothing jolly about you!" said the ticket seller. "Beat it now or I'll call the cops. Next!" Jack backed away from the door. He pulled out his pocket watch. It was ten minutes to eight! Annie had to go on at eight-fifteen! He paced up and down the sidewalk, desperately looking for another entrance. There must be a door somewhere that leads backstage! he thought. He peered down a long, narrow alley beside the theater. The alley was dark, except for the glow of light from high windows above a row of garbage cans. Jack hurried down the alley. A rat skittered out from behind a can. Jack kept going until he

rounded the corner. He found the back entrance, but when he tried the handle, it was locked. He banged and banged on the door, but no one answered. The windows! Jack thought. He hurried back into the alley. To reach the row of windows, he had to step from a packing crate onto the top of a garbage can. Jack stood on his toes and looked through a lit window. He saw a hallway, but no one was there. He carefully stepped from one garbage can to another until he reached the next window. Jack looked through the glass into the Bambinis' dressing room. He saw Annie dressed in an oversized tuxedo. She was staring at a piece of paper. Jack pounded on the window. "Annie! Annie!" he shouted, panting. When Annie saw him, her face lit up. "Hi!" she yelled. She put down the paper and jumped onto a chair. She lifted a latch and then pushed the window up. "Thanks for coming back!" she cried. "I am so sorry, Jack!" "Don't worry about it," he said.

"Are you coming in?" asked Annie. "Yeah. Hold on." Jack jumped down and picked up the packing crate. He placed it on top of the garbage can. Then he carefully climbed onto the can and the crate. Clutching the windowsill, he hoisted himself through the window.

Annie helped him step down onto a chair, and then onto the floor. Jack reached into his bag and pulled out the small bottle. "You'll need this before you go… onstage," he said, out of breath. "Mist gathered at first light… on the first day… of the new moon… on the Isle of Avalon." "Thanks!" said Annie, taking the bottle. "When I realized I didn't have it, I didn't know what to do." "That's what I figured," said Jack. Annie grabbed the paper from the table. "Look at this," she said, handing it to Jack. "The Bambini Brothers must have left it." Jack and Annie looked at the paper together. "It looks like a list of tricks," said Jack. He read: Instant Wand Three Bunnies Miracle Doves Cards from Thin Air Chinese Rings

"Yeah, I think I have all the props for them," said Annie. "See? There are two wands, three rabbits, two doves, a pack of cards, and three big rings." "Yeah, it's all here…," said Jack. "But what do I do with it?" said Annie. "Maybe you'll find out when you use the magic mist," said Jack. "Oh, yes, I bet I will!" said Annie. "Yeah," Jack said. "Now I can't wait to find out what's going to happen!" said Annie. "Bet you'll have a good time," said Jack. "What are you thinking?" asked Annie. "Should I still perform all by myself? Or do you think maybe we should perform together?" Jack stared at her a moment, then sighed. "Together," he said softly. "Yay!" said Annie. "We'll be a great team. I promise." She held up the bottle. "Should we use this right now? Do you want to?" "Hmm," said Jack. "Yeah. Then we'll be able to figure everything out. But remember, the magic only works for one hour." He looked at his watch.