It is Magic Week in Iowa. There are many magicians out on the streets, doing magic tricks. In a bar, an older magician is doing card tricks for the young waitress. “Wow, you’re really good,” she says with a smile. “Yeah, you’re great!” A younger magician in a cape claps sarcastically. “Show us another!” “Finish your drink, Vance,” says the girl sitting next to him. “This is a simple riffle shuffle,” the older magician says to the waitress, and accidentally drops some cards as he shuffles them. The other man laughs. “Do a card trick for me,” says the waitress encouragingly. “Ooooh, here we go, the Incredible Jay,” the younger magician says. “Alright young lady, would you please tell me when to stop?” says the older man, shuffling the cards. She says stop, and he shows her the card on the bottom, the three of spades. “Commit it to memory,” he tells her. “That’s incredible, Jay!” gasps Vance. “Don’t be a jerk,” the girl beside him says. “Do you see your card?” the magician asks the waitress, and she says no. “Check his pocket!” hisses Vance, ignoring his partner as he walks up and pulls the girl’s card from the older magician’s pocket. “Why are you so mean, can’t you just leave the old guy alone?” the waitress says angrily, then looks away, embarrassed, as the older magician looks at her in surprise.
In the theater, the magician is watching a show rehearsal with two other older men. A young magician floats down through the air to stand on the stage, while loud rock music plays. He is wearing leather and chains. “Is he wearing eyeliner?” one of the older men, Charlie, asks, leaning forward. “Can’t tell - I’m blinded by all the sterling silver,” the third man, Vernon, says. “The light has to find me!” yells the young magician onstage. “Get it? It has to find me!” “What a douchebag,” Charlie and Vernon say together. “Would you guys give it a rest? You’re giving me a headache,” says the first magician from the bar. “Oh come on, Jay. This mis-direct is shaking his ass like an eighth-avenue hooker,” replies Vernon. “It used to be about skill,” says Charlie. “Yeah, used to be, used to be,” says Jay. “Listen to the two of you. Pathetic. Bitter old men talking about the glory days. You know what, this douchebag isn’t the joke. We are.” “Hey, who you calling a joke?” Charlie asks. “Me, for one,” says Jay. On the stage, the magician is doing the ring trick. “That used to be us,” Jay says bitterly. “Maybe he is a douchebag, but he’s playing the mainstage, and we can’t even afford an assistant. What the hell are we doing?” “We’re doing alright,” says his friend, leaning forward. “No we’re not,” Jay says. “We’re sad, we’re old, and we’re dying.” “Jay!” begins Charlie. “I’m going to do the Table of Death tonight,” Jay interrupts. “No, no you’re not Jay, don’t be crazy,” says Vernon. “You almost killed yourself the last time you tried it, and that was thirty years ago,” agrees Charlie. “Ah, who cares if it kills me,” Jay replies. “At least I’ll go out with a headline.”
That night, as people in the audience are yawning, Jay begins his trick. “Ladies and gentlemen - what you are about to see - is not a trick, or an illusion. It is simply a display of daring, and dexterity.” He turns and lays down on the table, and Charlie puts metal restraints over his wrists and ankles. “Now young lady, if you’ll please check the bindings?” he says to an audience member. “You’ll see they’re very real - very tight.” She checks them all. “Thank you, you may take your seat.” “Damn straight they’re tight - you sure you can slip them?” says Charlie. Jay doesn’t say anything. Above him is a wall of spikes, ready to fall. His friend pulls the curtains closed in front of him, while Vernon crosses himself as he watches. Charlie sets fire to a firecracker, which will slowly burn down until it reaches the rope that holds up the wall of spikes.
Meanwhile, outside, Vance is leaving a hotel with his partner. “Show’s in an hour, Vance. Try to be on time?” she says. He waves his hand and walks away.
Back on stage, people can see the silhouette of Jay as he struggles on the table. He cannot get out of the restraints. Charlie watches fearfully as the fire gets closer to the rope. And then it burns through. The spikes fall, and the audience gasps.
Outside, Vance clutches his chest and falls to the ground.
Charlie goes forward and opens the curtains, to reveal Jay, standing by the table, free and unhurt. The audience cheers.
Outside, spots of blood appear on Vance’s shirt as he lies there, dead.
The young magician from the stage is holding a bunch of cards. He is standing outside, in front of a group of women who are watching. “This isn’t a trick, okay?” he says. “I don’t do tricks. This is a demonstration... about demons, and angels... love, and lust.” Dean and Sam approach. “What a douchebag,” Dean comments. “All that stuff, mixed up in my head,” the magician goes on. There are men with cameras filming the magician. “That’s Jeb Dexter,” Sam replies. “I don’t even want to know how you know that,” Dean says. “He’s famous... kinda,” Sam says. “For what? Douchebaggery?” Dean asks. “But whatever happens - no matter how messed up it gets, don’t touch me, okay?” Jeb goes on. “For your own safety.” He holds out his hands, then begins to gasp. His eyes roll up in his head and he yells, “Go back to Hell, demon!” And throws the cards at a nearby window. One of them sticks, but it’s on the other side of the window. “Is this your card?” he asks the audience. They applaud. “You’ve got to be kidding me, a fake demon possession?” Dean says. He starts to walk away. “I can’t believe people actually fall for that crap.” “It’s not all crap,” Sam says. “What part of that was not a steaming pile of BS?” Dean asks. “Okay, that was crap. But that’s not all magicians,” Sam replies. “It takes skill.” Dean looks confused for a second, then smiles and stops to face Sam. “Oh right I forgot, you were actually into this stuff, weren’t you? You had like a deck of cards, and a wand...” “Dude, I was thirteen. It was a phase,” Sam says. “It just bugs me,” Dean says. “Actually, it offends me. You know, playing with demons, and magic... when the real thing will kill you bloody.” “Like I guy who drops dead of ten stab wounds, without a single tear in his shirt?” Sam says. “That’s what I’m talking about,” Dean replies.
Dean and Sam are talking to Vance’s assistant, who is packing. “So, did your boss have any enemies that you were aware of?” Dean asks. “Vance had plenty of enemies,” she says, beginning to pull a multi-coloured scarf out of her bag. “How so?” Sam asks. “He would steal from other magicians,” she says. “All the time.” “What would he steal?” Sam asks, as Dean watches the scarf, which is amazingly long. “Stage effects... close up techniques... anything he could get his hands on,” she says. “Is that enough to get him killed?” Dean asks. “These guys take this stuff pretty seriously,” she replies, lifting up a sheet to reveal a big white rabbit. “Did you find anything weird in Vance’s stuff?” Dean asks. “Well... weirder?” “As matter of fact, I did,” she says, putting down the rabbit. She pulls out a card, and hands it to the boys. On it, there is a drawing of a man, with lots of swords through his body. “I’m guessing this didn’t belong to Vance,” Sam says. She shakes her head. “He hated card tricks. Never wanted them around. Let alone in his precious cape.”
Jay is playing with a deck of cards, doing various shuffling tricks with them. There’s a knock at the door, and he smiles, and goes to answer it. Outside is his friend Charlie. “You gonna tell me how you did it?” Charlie asks, walking in. “Did what?” Jay asks. “You know what,” Charlie replies. “The great ones never give away the how,” Jay says calmly. “Yesterday, you were ‘sad, old, and dying’,” Charlie says. “Today, you’re one of the Great Ones? Come on. This is me you’re talking to.” “You didn’t think I could do it,” Jay says, smiling. “No, Jay, I didn’t. You’re my friend. My best friend. I just didn’t want to see you get hurt,” Charlie replies. Jay shuffles the cards. “Charlie. You wanna see something?” He shuffles the deck again, then pulls out three cards. He separates them to reveal they are three aces. “Not bad,” Charlie says. “Not bad? I’ve been working to pull an ace out of the middle of a deck for years. Just one. And now I can pull three,” Jay says. “Still missing the ace of hearts,” Charlie says, turning away. “I wanna do the Executioner tonight,” Jay says, making Charlie turn back in surprise. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” he gapes. “It’s just a rope-slip,” Jay says. “Houdini wouldn’t try the Executioner,” Charlie argues. “Exactly! Think about it, Charlie. If I can pull this off...” “I think you’re pushing your luck,” Charlie says firmly. “It wasn’t luck!” Jay argues. “It wasn’t! Here, stand over here.” He moves Charlie away from him. “Let’s not end up like this, Charlie, a couple of old farts, doing birthdays and bar mizphas.” They laugh a little. “It beats dying,” Charlie says. “Does it?” Jay asks. “I would do anything for you, you know that,” Charlie begins. “But I will not watch you die. I’ll miss that show.” “No, you’ll be there. You’re always there for me,” Jay says calmly. “Check your pocket.” Charlie checks his jacket pocket, then his shirt pocket, and pulls out a card. It’s the ace of hearts. “That’s good, Jay! That’s pretty damn good,” he laughs a little. “I can do it, Charlie. I wanna do it,” Jay continues. “Please.” Charlie finally nods.
“It’s a lame gig!” Jeb Dexter is talking into his cellphone as he walks through a little theater. The stage nearby has a “The Incredible Jay” sign above it. “In a fleabag hotel doing this ‘man of the people’ crap! And frickin’ Angel’s in Vegas doing Cirque De Soleil! That should have been mine!” He hangs up. “Alright, boys, get it in gear, I don’t got all day.” Vernon and Charlie are watching as a film crew sets up. Dean walks up and sits down next to them, explaing he’s a federal agent. “I’m looking to the death of Patrick Vance,” he says. “I’m Jeb Dexter - this is Devil Twist,” Jeb is saying into the camera. “We’re chilling at the International Magician’s Convention, which is a dope chance to tip my hat to the wicked cats who came before me.” He gestures to Jay, who is sitting in front of him. “Smokin’ hot effect last night, Jim.” “Jay,” Jay corrects. “Huh?” “My name, it’s Jay,” he says again. “Yeah whatever. We can loop it later,” Jeb says. “What a douchebag,” Vernon says as they watch. “Couldn’t agree more,” Dean says. “Is this familiar to you?” He shows them the card that was on Vance’s body. “Should it be?” Vernon asks. “Well I heard that you use tarot cards in your act,” Dean replies. “My act! That was a long time ago. I haven’t touched the deck in years...” He holds up his hand, which is a little shaky. “You know someone who might use them now?” Dean asks. “Well there was a guy, down on Bleeker Street,” Vernon begins. “Oh, yeah! He pedals that kind of specialty stuff,” Charlie agrees. “Did he have a problem with Vance?” Dean asks. “As a matter of fact, Vance crossed him,” Vernon nods. “’Bout a year ago. Probably cost about fifty grand in royalties.” “You know the exact address?” Dean asks. “426 Bleeker,” Vernon says quickly. “Ask for Chief,” Charlie adds. “Chief? Thank you,” Dean says, and stands up to leave.
Dean walks down a dark street, and comes up to 426. He knocks on the door, which has bars on it. A man answers it, and watches him. “I’m uh - here to see Chief?” Dean says. The man opens the door and lets Dean in, then leads him down a set of stairs. “Stay here,” he says. “Don’t touch anything.” Dean looks confused, and looks around the dark room. Suddenly a door opens across the room, and loud music starts playing. A big man walks out of the door, holding a whip. “You are really gonna get it tonight, big boy,” he says. “There’s been a misunderstanding,” Dean says. “I think I’ve been had.” “Oh you ain’t been had - till you’ve been had by the chief,” the man says. Dean stares at him. “Oh, and before we get started, what’s your safe word?” the guy asks. Dean gags a little.
Sam is in their motel room, on the laptop, when there comes a knock at the door. He stands up slowly, and walks to the door quietly. He looks out the peephole, and then opens the door looking irritated. Ruby is outside. “What are you doing here, Ruby?” he asks. “I should be asking you the same thing,” she says, walking inside. “I’m working a job,” Sam says. “The whole world’s about to be engulfed in hellfire, and you’re in magic town, USA,” she says sarcastically. Sam laughs humourlessly. “You got something against magic?” “That would almost be funny, if thirty-four seals hadn’t been broken already. Thirty four, Sam!” Ruby says. “That’s over halfway.” Sam is silent. “The angels are losing this war,” she goes on. “Everyday is closer, and if someone doesn’t do something...” “And that someone is me?” Sam interrupts, coming closer. “Who else would it be?” she says irritably. “I don’t know where these seals are, I don’t know squat!” Sam says loudly. “So why don’t you tell me where you’d like me to start!” “Well you can quit dickin’ around here for one thing,” Ruby replies. “Bigger fish, Sam. And if the seals are being broken, you might wanna go after the one doing the breaking.” “Lillith?” Sam says incredulously. “Cut the head off the snake,” she says. “You’re the only one who can stop her, Sam. So step up, and kill the little bitch.” “Oh I am game, believe me,” Sam says. “It’s not the psychic thing I got a problem with.” “Yeah I know what you got a problem with, but tough!” Ruby says loudly. “It’s the only way.” Sam glares at her. “No.” “You know, this would all be so much easier if you’d just admit to yourself that you like it,” she says. Sam smirks. “That feeling that it gives you...” she goes on. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sam says casually. “Oh I don’t huh? Fine.” She turns away, then stops. “It’s simple. Lucifer rises, the apocalypse starts. You think that you have demons on your hands now? People are gonna die, Sam. Oceans of people. So you just let me know when you’re ready.” She leaves.
Sam is at the theater, waiting, when Dean comes up. “Find anything interesting?” “What? Uh, no. You?” Sam says quickly. “Nothing I wanna talk about. Or think about. Ever again,” Dean replies.
Charlie and Vernon are standing near the stage, waiting for the show to start. “It’s crazy, and you know it,” Vernon says. “He says he can do it,” Charlie replies. “Did you even try to talk him out of it?” Vernon asks. “Till I was blue in the face!” Charlie says. “But I tell you, Vernon... there was something his eyes.” “In his eyes... you’re both nuts,” Vernon says. He looks away to see Dean and Sam approaching. “The Chief, huh?” Dean says. “What’s the matter? Chief not your type?” Charlie says with a smile. “You know I could have you both arrested for obstruction of justice?” Dean says. “How? You’re no Fed,” Vernon interrupts. “We con people for a living, son. It takes more than a fake badge to get past us,” Charlie agrees. The boys laugh awkwardly. “You got us,” Dean says finally. “Yeah, we are actually... aspiring magicians.” “Yeah, we came to the convention cause we thought we could learn something,” Sam puts in. “Yeah, get some ideas for our new show,” Dean says. “Oooh, what kind of show?” Vernon asks. “It’s a brother act,” Sam puts in quickly. “Yeah, you know, with the rings, and doves... and rings,” Dean says. Behind them, a voice announces Jay onto the stage. “You wanna learn something?” Charlie says. “Stick around.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to witness is a feat so daring, so dangerous, even the great Houdini dared not attempt it,” Jay says as he stands at the front of the stage. “I give to you, the Executioner.” He waves his hand, and a noose drops down behind him from a metal bar.
In his room, Jeb Dexter is looking at himself in the mirror.
“Now sir, as you can see, this jacket is the real article,” Jay is saying. He is in a strait jacket, with the noose around his neck. A man is checking out the jacket. “Now I will have one minute - sixty seconds - to escape certain death. Let’s see if I can do it.” Charlie pulls the curtains closed, and the clock begins. The audience watches the silhouette of Jay struggling with baited breath.
Jeb is still looking at himself in the mirror, he doesn’t notice the hangman’s noose behind him moving. It curls itself around the ceiling fan, and approaches him from behind.
Dean and Sam are exchanging glances in the audience as they watch. Jay has only thirty seconds left, and he’s still struggling with the strait jacket. Ten seconds. “I don’t think he’s gonna make it,” Dean says. The clock stops, and Jay is hung. The audience gasps.
In his room, the noose snags Jeb around the neck and hangs him.
Charlie moves forward and opens the curtains, Jay is standing, free, beside the noose. The audience stands up, cheering. “That was amazing - that was freakin’ amazing!” Dean says, grinning. “That was... not humanly possible!” Sam says.
In his room, Jeb is dead, hanging from the fan, turning slowly.
“Looks like this guy Jay was a pretty big deal in the seventies,” Sam says. He is on the laptop. Dean is sitting on the bed, looking through books. “Which in magician land means what, exactly?” he asks. “Big enough to play Radio City Music Hall,” Sam replies. “What got him stuck in the where-are-they-now file?” Dean asks. “He got old,” Sam says, shrugging. “Okay, so maybe Incredible Jay is using real magic to stage a comeback,” Dean suggests. “It’s possible,” Sam agrees. “I mean some kind of spell that works a death transferrance.” “How’s the tarot card mix into it?” Dean wonders. “I don’t know,” Sam says, going back to the laptop. Dean shakes his head thoughtfully. “Man. I hope I die before I get old. That thing seems brutal, don’t it?” He crosses to look at the tarot card. Sam is silent for a moment. “Think we will?” “What?” Dean asks. “Die before we get old?” Sam says. “Haven’t we both already?” Dean replies. “You know what I mean, Dean. Do you think we’ll still be chasing demons when we’re... sixty,” Sam says. “No, I think we’ll be dead,” Dean replies. “For good.” Sam looks away, smiling humourlessly. “What, you wanna end up like Travis? Huh? Or Gordon maybe?” Dean says. “There’s Bobby,” Sam says. “Oh yeah, there’s a poster child for growing old gracefully,” Dean says with a laugh, going back to the sit on the bed. Sam shrugs. “Maybe we’ll be different, Dean.” Dean looks at him. “What kinda Kool-Aid you drinking, man? Sammy, it ends bloody, or sad. That’s just the life.” Sam closes the laptop. “What if we could win?” Dean stares. “Win?” “If there was a way we could just... put an end to all of it,” Sam goes on. “Is there something going on you’re not telling me?” Dean asks. “No,” Sam says. “Sammy?” “No! Look, I’m just saying, I just wish there was a way we could just go after the source. That’s all.” Dean is looking at him strangely. “Cut the head off the snake,” Sam finishes. “Well the problem with the snake is that it has a thousand heads,” Dean replies. “Evil bitches just keep piling out of the Volkswagen.” “Yup. Guess you’re right,” Sam says after a bit. “Let’s go see if you can track down Jay?” Dean suggests. “I’ll see what I can dig up on this tarot card.”
Sam walks into the hotel, past the big sign that says “Jeb Dexter”. The cops are wheeling a body out the door. He joins Dean, who is standing looking thoughtful. “Hey,” he says. “Some maid found Jeb, hanging from the ceiling fan,” Dean says. “Police think it was a suicide, I beg to differ.” He holds up a tarot card, with a picture of a hanged man. “I pulled a little slight of hand myself.” “On Dexter’s body?” Sam guesses. “Yeah, so I’m thinking if the spell is a death transferrance, then these cards work like... black magic targets.” “Any connection between the victims?” Sam asks. “Jeb was a total douchebag to Jay yesterday,” Dean says. “What about the first vic, uh, Vance?” Sam asks. “I asked around, apparently Vance was heckling Jay at the bar the day he was killed,” Dean replies. “Okay, so Jay sneaks a card into Vance’s pocket, does the Table of Death...” Sam begins as the boys walk. “And Vance takes ten swords to the chest,” Dean goes on. “Then Jay slips a noose, and Jeb doesn’t,” Sam finishes. “Hell of a trick.” “Yeah, I think it’s time we had a little chat with Jay,” Dean says. “Any luck tailing him?” Sam looks awkward. “He... slipped me.” “He’s a sixty year old,” Dean says. Sam nods. “He’s a magician.”
Jay is walking down the hallway to his apartment. As he opens the door, Dean and Sam peer around the wall, then approach the closed door, holding guns. They look around, then Dean kicks down the door. “Up against the wall!” Dean yells at Jay, who puts his hands up. “What do you want?” he begins. “We know what you’ve been up to!” Sam says. “Working some real bad mojo to jump start your act,” Dean goes on. “What? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jay says. “We know you put a spell on those tarot cards,” Sam accuses. “Messing with real magic?” Dean says. “Real magic? There’s no such thing as real magic,” Jay says with a smile. “Oh is that so,” Dean says. “Believe me, I’ve been around this stuff my whole life,” Jay says. “It’s all just illusions, it’s tricks...” Dean and Sam keep their guns trained on him. “It’s all fake!” Jay says. “Jeb Dexter strung up, was that just an illusion?” Dean asks. “What, something happened to Jeb?” Jay says, looking shocked. “He was found hanged in his room,” Sam tells him. “Right after you slipped the noose last night,” Dean adds. Jay stares at them a moment, then says “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please, just let me go.” “Something’s not right,” Dean mutters to Sam. “Usually they’re whipping some bad ass hoodoo at us by now,” Sam agrees quietly. “Whaddya wanna do?” Dean asks.
They’ve tied up Jay in a chair, and are standing a little ways away, talking. “Alright,” Sam says, “So if it’s not him, who is it?” “Even if Jay’s not working the magic, he’s still getting the reward. His shows are selling out,” Dean says. Sam sighs. “Alright. So then whoever it is, they’re obviously in Jay’s corner.” “Alright, so we got Vernon and Charlie on the list. Anyone else?” Dean asks. “Uh... we could always ask him,” Sam suggests. They nod, then turn to see Jay is gone from the chair. “Guess we should’ve seen that one coming,” Dean says. “Come on, he couldn’t have gone that far,” Sam says, and the boys leave the room. A moment later, Jay edges out from inside the closet.
The boys run down the stairs to the apartment lobby. “No way he could outrun us,” Sam says. “Maybe he vanished, I mean he really is good!” Dean says. “Or he found a back door,” Sam says, just as the cops pull up outside. As a cop runs inside, Jay hurries down the stairs. “That’s them, those are the two nutjobs that just broke into my room!” he says, pointing at the boys. The boys raise their hands resignedly.
“They said my act is killing people, they said that I was using real magic, that I was casting spells on tarot cards,” Jay says. He is backstage with Charlie, who is polishing his shoes. “Real magic, those guys are nuts,” Charlie agrees. “You’re lucky to be alive.” “You don’t think...” Jay begins. “What?” Charlie asks. “Well, the things that I can do now, the cards...” “You’ve been working the cards your whole life,” Charlie replies. “Well what about the escapes? I haven’t been able to slip a pair of cuffs in thirty years!” Jay goes on. “And then there was the way that Patrick Vance died, and that Jeb Dexter...” “No great loss there,” Charlie says. “Ah Charlie, he didn’t deserve to die,” Jay says. “Well you had nothing to do with it!” Charlie says. “He was hanged! The same night that I performed the Executioner!” Jay says. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me that you actually believe those guys?” Charlie asks incredulously. “That there was some kind of real magic involved?” Jay shakes his head. “No. I don’t know. Maybe. I shouldn’t go on tonight, Charlie.” “Are you kidding me? You have a sold out house out there. Sold out!” Charlie says, standing up. “When was the last time that happened?” Jay turns to look at him. “The other night. When I was doing the Table of Death. I was, um... I was gonna kill myself. And I have no idea how I got out alive.” Charlie looks at him for a few moments. “But you did,” he says finally. “Somehow you did! Jay, when you were in your day, you were incredible. Incredible Jay, you were the best. The best I ever saw. And now you got it back. I don’t know how, but it doesn’t matter. Just to see you, at the top of your game again? Hell, it makes me feel young!” “But...” Jay begins. “No buts, Jay! This may be... Manna from Heaven, I don’t know. But whatever it is, you don’t throw it away.”
Out on the stage, Charlie sets fire to the firecracker. Jay is doing the Table of Death. He struggles uselessly behind the curtain as Charlie heads offstage. Vernon watches Jay. The spikes fall, and everyone screams. Then Jay pulls back the curtains, he is fine. He bows as the audience applauds. Suddenly, there is a scream from backstage. Jay runs back to find Charlie, dead on the floor, with multiple stab wounds.
Dean and Sam head into the hotel. Jay is inside. “Jay,” Sam says, as the boys walk up. “Thanks for dropping the charges.” “You mind telling us why you did it?” Dean asks. “We have to talk,” Jay says.
They sit at a bar as Jay talks. “I was just a kid when we first met,” he says, taking a drink. “All I knew was how to cheat at cards - Charlie got me out of more scrapes than I can count. Hell, I would’ve been dead by the age of twenty if it hadn’t been for him. He was more than my friend, he was my brother.” “I’m sorry, Jay,” Sam says. “Look, I should’ve listened to you guys when you told me that my show was killing people,” Jay interrupts. “Well, you weren’t the one pulling the trigger,” Dean says. “Yeah but someone did, and I wanna find out who did this to Charlie. So I’ll do whatever you guys say, just tell me what to do,” Jay says firmly. “Jay, whoever’s doing this, they like you,” Sam begins. “They’re probably close to you. Did Charlie and Vernon get along?” Jay stares for a moment, then realizes. “No, no. It’s not Vernon.” “He’s the only one that makes sense,” Dean says slightly awkwardly. “Charlie and Vernon were your family, Jay,” Sam says. “And now Charlie’s gone,” Dean adds. “Yeah but... they butted heads sometimes, but Vernon could never do something like this,” Jay says. “See the thing about real magic? Is that it’s a whole lot like crack,” Dean begins. “People do surprising things once they get a taste of it.” Jay shakes his head. “You better be damn sure about this. Vernon’s all I got left.”
Vernon is watching TV when the phone rings. He says that he’ll be there in two shakes. “I got something to tell you anyway,” he says, then hangs up and leaves. As he leaves his room, Dean and Sam head in. “Wow. It’s like a magic museum,” Sam says. “You must be in heaven,” Dean says. “This guy didn’t travel light.” “He’s been on the road his whole life, probably everything he owns is in this room,” Sam says. “Let’s get started,” Dean says.
Vernon arrives at the theater, and approaches the stage. Jay is standing by the Table of Death. “Talked to the head of the convention,” Vernon calls. “Headliner gig is yours.” Jay turns to face him, shaking his head. “What? You don’t want it?” Vernon says incredulously. “A day ago, if you told me I’d be standing on this stage...” Jay begins, “Nah, I can’t do it, Vernon.” “What are you talking about?” Vernon asks. “Charlie’s gone,” Jay says. “Charlie would’ve wanted you to go on! This is your shot!” Vernon replies. “It’s our shot!” “Really,” Jay says, walking closer. “This is what Charlie would’ve wanted? Charlie’s dead.” “Hey - he was my friend too you know,” Vernon says. “A hell of way to treat a friend,” Jay replies. “Again, what are you talking about?” Vernon says, looking confused. “You killed him, didn’t you?” Jay says. “And for what? So that I - so that we - could be back on top?” “That’s insane,” Vernon says. “You’re scaring me!” “First it was Vance. Then it was Jeb Dexter - even if you thought you were doing it for me - how in God’s name could you kill Charlie?” Jay says. “You are crazy,” nods Vernon. “You used me,” Jay goes on. “And you used my act, to do this to him. If you think -!” “I wouldn’t be so hard on him, Jay,” says a voice. “He didn’t do it.” Jay turns to see a young man standing behind him.
“It’s just a bunch of old-timey magic stuff,” Dean says. “None of it magic.” “No herbs, no candles, and... no tarot cards,” Sam adds. Dean sorts through some old magazines, and then pauses, picking one up. “I’ll be damned.” “What?” Sam asks. Dean holds up the magazine, which has a picture of a magician on it. “Look like anyone we know?” The magician has a mark above his eyebrow, a birthmark just like the one that Charlie had.
The young man in the theater has the same mark. “Sweet Mary of Joseph,” Vernon says in shock. “Charlie?” gapes Jay. “It’s really me, Jay,” says the much younger Charlie. “How the hell...?” begins Vernon. “God, you forget what it feels like to be young,” Charlie interrupts. “It feels amazing.” “How old are you?” Jay asks. “Well it depends on what you mean by how old. Right now, technically, about twenty eight. But I’ve been around a lot longer than that,” Charlie says. He goes on to say that he found a book of real magic. “At first I thought it was a scam, but then I tried one of the spells, and it worked,” he goes on. “In fact they all worked. So when I got to the end, and there was one for immortality?” “My God. Charlie,” Vernon says, walking closer. “And my show, the thing that I can do,” Jay says. “A different spell. But it gives you a little taste of what’s possible,” Charlie says, pulling a deck of tarot cards out of his pocket. Vernon reaches forward, but Charlie says “I wouldn’t touch those if I were you, Vernon. They’re still radioactive.” “You killed Vance and Jeb Dexter,” Jay realizes. “What, you think this is a parlour game?” Charlie says. “You were being humiliated by those punks. A washed up old man who couldn’t even defend himself.” “You used me,” Jay says. “To do these terrible things!” “I used them to give you a gift,” Charlie corrects. “And you wanted it, Jay. I saw it in your eyes.” Jay shakes his head. “No, I never wanted this.” “You were ready to kill yourself,” Charlie says. “I saved your life.” “Is that right Jay?” Vernon asks. “I was there for you. Like I’ve always been,” Charlie continues. “Like I’ll always be. Come with me, both of you. You think the first time around is good, the second time’s even better. All the know how, none of the aches and pains.” Vernon is nodding. “No, I won’t do this, I won’t,” Jay says firmly. “I’ve never made this offer before. But then I’ve never had friends like the two of you before,” Charlie says. “Let me do this for you.” “And who else has to die?” Jay asks. “So that we can live forever?” adds Vernon. “What’s the price tag on immortality?” Jay goes on. “This isn’t right, Charlie. What you’re doing. Somewhere, you know that.” “I know I don’t wanna come back alone,” Charlie says. “To start all over alone.” “Jay. We can be young again,” Vernon says. “The three of us together. Vital and alive!” Charlie continues. “Forever.”
“Not so fast!” They all turn to see Dean and Sam, who climb up the stairs to the stage. Dean motions for the two older men to step away from Charlie. “Immortality,” Dean says. “That’s a neat trick.” “It’s not a trick,” Charlie says, and suddenly a noose wraps around Dean’s neck, yanking him off his feet. “It’s magic.” Without hesitation, Sam raises his gun and shoots Charlie. He turns away, then back, spitting out a bullet into his hand. “Hey, bullet catch. I’ve been working on that,” he says cheerfully. He disappears. “Get him!” Dean yells, holding onto the noose around his neck desperately. Sam spots Charlie standing by the Table of Death, and approaches. “Let him go! Now!” he orders. “Just leave me and my friends alone,” Charlie says. “I said now!” Sam yells again. “Alright, I will give it up, the spells, the hexes, this is the last time. I promise,” Charlie says, hands in the air. Dean is still struggling, choking. Sam swings at Charlie, but Charlie disappears, then reappears behind him. He pushes Sam, knocking him onto the Table of Death. The restraints close around his wrists and ankles, holding him in place. The rope holding the spikes begins to break. The boys can do nothing except struggle. Just as the rope is about to break, Charlie suddenly gasps, and looks down at his stomach, which is bleeding. Jay is holding a knife into his own stomach. He pulls it out again, completely clean, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out the deck of tarot cards. “Jay,” Charlie says, reaching into his own pocket. He pulls a tarot card out of his own pocket. “You pick these strangers over me?” He falls dead on the floor. Dean falls from the ceiling, and Sam’s restraints open. Seconds later, the spikes fall. Sam glances at them, then turns to Dean. “You okay?” “Yeah,” Dean replies, rubbing his throat. “Yeah I’m alright.” Jay looks sadly at his dead friend on the floor.
In the bar, Jay is shuffling cards. He can’t do it like he could before. Dean and Sam walk in. “Hey Jay?” Dean says. “We wanted to thank you for what you did yesterday.” “I killed my best friend yesterday, and you wanna thank me?” Jay says. The boys glance at each other. “Where’s Vernon?” Sam asks. “Oh he’s gone. He said he didn’t want to speak to me again after what I did to Charlie,” Jay replies. “Listen Jay - you know Charlie was never gonna give up what he was doing,” Dean says. “Ever. You did the right thing.” Jay nods. “You sure about that? You know, Charlie was like my brother. And now he’s dead. Because I did the right thing. He offered me a gift, and I just threw it back in his face.” Jay stands up. “So now I have to spend the rest of my life old and alone.” He takes another drink. “What’s so right about that?” He walks away. “Jay - your cards,” the waitress says, picking them up from where he left them on the table. “Throw them away,” Jay says, and leaves. The boys sigh. “Well I don’t know about you, but I could go for a beer,” Dean says. “I’m gonna take a walk,” Sam replies. Dean looks surprised as Sam leaves.
Outside, Sam approaches Ruby’s car and opens the door. “Okay. I’m in.” He climbs in. “What changed your mind?” she asks. “I don’t wanna be doing this when I’m an old man,” Sam replies.
Synopsis by Deanandhisimpala
