‘Ladies,’ the master of ceremony’s voice rang around the hall. ‘Welcome back. Before the entertainment begins, I’ve been asked to say that cell phones ringing can disrupt the magic, so please sure yours is turned off or on mute.’
Almost everyone in the hall grabbed their phone to ensure it didn’t disturb the proceedings. Then the voice rang out again.
‘Ladies, please give a special welcome in your own inimitable style for the return of that mysterious magician, SAPPHIRE.’
On the final syllable the lights went out and there was a loud bang followed by a bright flash on the stage. A spotlight caught the spot, but there was no sign of Sapphire. The light panned around the hall, until it finally settled on a figure at the back, dressed in black. Sapphire began to walk slowly down the aisle to the stage. As she went she exchanged smiles with some of the audience and blew kisses to others. One or two reached out and stroked her thigh or patted her ass as she passed. All around she heard complimentary comments about her appearance and her outfit. In the past, she had ignored them but tonight, after her recent experiences, they had more of an impact; she felt proud that these women appreciated her looks and her style. As she neared the front of the hall, a tall woman rose and blocked her path. Mia. Dressed in black leather trousers, jacket and boots, her outfit resembled Sapphire’s. But there the resemblance ended. She stood a head taller, and the thighs, arms and shoulders of her clothes bulged under the strain of her heavy muscles. Here hair was closely cropped and her eyes were fixed on Sapphire.
‘Hello again, my little pet,’ she purred. ‘You got away from me last time, but will you be so lucky tonight?’
Before Sapphire could respond, she wrapped her in her arms and pulled her up to her mouth for a long kiss. In the past, Sapphire had tried to avoid this lady and to ignore her attentions if she couldn’t, but tonight, after her recent experiences, she found herself responding to the attention even though the woman did not attract her at all. Or so she told herself.
Eventually released, Sapphire climbed onto the stage with as much composure as she could muster. Another loud clap and flash and a black coffin appeared on the stage.
‘A coffin,’ Sapphire announced. ‘An empty coffin,’ she threw open the lid. ‘Perhaps someone would like to come on stage to …’ Before she could finish her sentence, Mia was beside her peering into the coffin. ‘Have a good look,’ Sapphire encouraged. ‘Don’t be shy.’ She winked at the audience who had caught her irony.
‘Well,’ she asked eventually, ‘are you sure it’s empty.’
Mia nodded and Sapphire slammed the lid.
‘I’m not so sure you had a proper look,’ Sapphire responded – the cue for her assistant to be ready to appear. ‘Let’s just check.’
And she threw back the lid.