56 The Magic Trick

56 The Magic Trick 'Let's cut straight to the chase, shall we?' said Mr M, who was sitting in front of the console in Mission Control. 'Where is he?' Alan lifted his handcuffed hands and brushed away a stringy bit of melted cheese that was dangling from his eyebrow. Then he smiled. 'Where is who?' he said. 'The Easter Bunny,' snapped Peanut. 'Who do you think?' Alan,' said Mrs M. 'Tell us where Mr White is hiding.' 'You lot think you're so clever, don't you?' he sneered. 'Now that you've

got your little tower back, you think you rule the world. You think that you've won. Well, let me tell you that you don't and you haven't. And you're not half as smart as you think you are. 'I can't believe that you, of all people, are saying that, scoffed Peanut. 'That's like Henry VIII giving out marital advice!' Anyway, what are you talking about?' said Rockwell. 'We have won! We've got control of the city! We've disabled the RAZERs and the BIG Xs! So of course we've won!' 'RAZERs, Big Xs, Exocetia, they're all just toys,' Alan replied, grinning. 'Little toys for little children. The big prize, the real prize, is still very much in play. And what prize is that?' said Mr M. Alan started to laugh. 'You really don't get it, do you? It's all been a magic trick,' he said between giggles. 'What has?' said Mrs M. 'What's been a magic trick?' Laughing harder now, Alan managed to squeeze out the words 'classic misdirection'.

'OK. I've had enough of this,' said a vexed Mr M. 'WHERE IS MR WHITE?' Alan was laughing so much, he had tears rolling down his cheeks. Bucket Head, who had accompanied them to the top of the Spire alongside Table Guy, had had enough. He walked over from his position next to the Mona Lisa, tipped his head forward and drenched the hysterical man with a few gallons of freezing cold water. It did the trick. 'Now,' said Mr M, once a shivering Alan had composed himself. 'What are you talking about?' 'Do you know what sleight of hand is?' asked Alan. Mr M shifted slightly in his chair and looked over at his wife. 'Of course I do,' he said. 'It's when someone tricks a person into thinking they're doing one thing when they're actually doing something else altogether. But what's that got to do with anything?' 'When a magician is performing a magic trick in front of you,' said Alan, smiling again, 'he will draw your attention and make you concentrate on this hand—' he held up his left hand 'while subtly stealing your watch with the other one.' 'What are you telling us?' said Mrs M. 'Well, let's just say that while you've all been concentrating on this little skirmish here in Chroma, you've all had your watches well and truly stolen.' Actually, I don't wear a watch,' said Rockwell, smugly.

'So the joke's on you. 'It was a metaphor,' said Alan, rolling his eyes. 'Good heavens, what are they teaching you kids in school these days?' 'OK, that's enough. I think we should lock him up in one of the cells for the night,' said Mr M. 'Give him a taste of his own medicine. I've got a feeling he'll be more willing to talk sense tomorrow.' As Alan was led away, Peanut suddenly felt nervous. ' Er, Mrs M,' she said. 'I think I'd like to go home, if that's OK. I, er, I just think I really should check on Mum and Leo as soon as possible.' 'I think that's a very good idea,' said the woman. 'But first get some rest you're exhausted and then we'll escort you back to the Green Valleys portal first thing in the morning. ' There's no need for that,' said Peanut, holding up Little Tail. Remember?'