stage. Think of all the lovely costumes I will wear."
"I am thinking-and think very much of the idea. And I also think that it is
time to get some more information on my new vocation."
Unhappily, it was not easy to come by. Magicians, down through the
centuries, have been a close-mouthed lot. Passing their secrets on all too
reluctantly, keeping the details of their trade very close to the chest.
Despite the billions of entries in the databases I searched, I could find
very little real information. Just card tricks and vanishing rabbits and
things like that. I had the strong feeling that Bolshoi's Big Top would
sneer at my act if that was all that I could do.
"Nothing," I growled as I shouted at the computer to turn itself off. "Maybe
it is the acrobat-way after all."
"Do not despair," Angelina said, pouring me a glass of alcoholic
despair-destroyer. I sipped at it and smiled thanks in her direction.
"You are right. Worry not and put the old brain cells to work. If magic were
that easy we would be up to our thighs in magicians. We are not. But there
are magical acts on the gogglebox all of the time. I've watched them in awe.
How do they do it? Or rather how did they ever learn to do it? Not from
books and computer programs-I've checked that out. But they do learn. How?"
"You mean who, don't you?"
"I do, I do!" I chortled as I sprang to my feet, finger raised in the air.
"They learn from each other. Every sorcerer must have an apprentice. That is
what I must be."
I turned to the familiar suitcase form of the Nanotechtric68X. "Awake, good
computer," I commanded.
"But speak and I obey, oh master. "
Angelina raised one lovely eyebrow. "You have been teaching this thing to be
your electronic slave?"
"Why not? Anything to keep the old ego happy." I turned back to the
suitcase. "Magicians, good magicians-galaxy famous magicians. Track them
down and prepare a list of them."
The printout was humming away even before I had finished speaking. There
were only six entries on the page. A very exclusive fraternity indeed. I
spent a good hour preparing an irresistible sales pitch, listing my varied
and convincing talents, and applying for the position of apprentice
sorcerer. With the added inducement that I was prepared to pay vast sums for
my education. When my missives were dispatched into the electronic void I
finished my drink and cocked my head as I heard a distant digestive rumble.
