Original subtitles

The rumors have been out of control ever since the night of the final

competition. Some people think Danny ran away.

That he's in hiding.

Others think he never existed in the first place.

But believe me, he is real.

I know. I was there.

Some of what I witnessed was pretty terrifying.

I thought things that were so...

strange, so unexpected.

Well, as much as I like to think I'm a champion puzzle solver, even I

still haven't figured out exactly how it all went down.

But one thing I am sure of,

Danny Sinclair is definitely real.

And unlike anybody you've ever met,

Oh, and also, what I'm about to show you was never, ever meant to be seen.

I was hired to be a segment producer of a new reality TV show, assigned to make

sure every bit of action got caught on tape.

Everybody take a seat, please.

Thank you.

As thrilled as we are.

that this is the first show in television history to be produced

kids, not all of you will remain.

Only those who discover one of the three final magicians will stay with us

through the grand finale.

Think y 'all up for it?

Definitely.

Thank you.

Before we proceed, what...

is the single most important rule for making good television.

Make sure they spell your name right in the credits.

Yes,

and you are?

Allison Miller. I think the most important rule of good television is to

keep your camera rolling.

Excellent. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Actually, you did.

I remembered it from a quote you gave in an interview with TV Weekly, October of

2002.

Well, it's nice to know one of you came prepared.

And now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to someone I'm sure you are all

familiar with. He is both a world -renowned magician and the host of our

reality television show. Please welcome the amazing Mystic Max.

Thank you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

100 talented magicians between the ages of 10 and 16 became eligible for our

show by figuring out the hidden message in this poster.

It appeared on billboards, in magazines, in newspapers, and on the Internet.

Hidden somewhere in this ad is a secret message.

Just out of curiosity, did any one of you find the hidden message?

Allison?

Big surprise.

Would you care to show us?

Well,

as we all know, magicians say the secret to any good trick is misdirection.

That means they're trying to get you to focus over here while they do some hocus

-pocus over there.

So, most people probably thought the clues would be found in the magician and

his trick, because that's what first draws your eye. But truth is, it's the

background things you need to focus on.

See? The spider web made me realize it was probably there to direct us to a

website.

Then, in looking closer at the book the statue was holding, I saw that it was a

farewell to arms. And then, bam! It hit me!

I mean, everybody knows that the Venus de Milo is a statue with no arms.

Sure. And that made me think of the famous founder of the Magic Mansion, a

magician named Antonio de Milo.

I mean, how obvious could it be?

I went online, typed into Milo .net, and got linked directly to the contest

entry form.

Simple, right?

Well done, Allison.

Oh.

Thanks.

Know -it -all.

Okay, so I'm not the best at making friends.

I know I can seem like a bit of a know -it -all, but I really don't mean to.

It's not my fault people ask me questions and I have answers.

I mean, what am I supposed to do? Hey, I'd love it if kids my own age could

actually relate to me. I mean, I've tried pretending I'm into lip gloss and

messaging and hanging out at the mall. I just can't ever seem to pull it off.

Okay, sorry.

What got me off on that rant? I have no idea.

Seriously, I'm not the story here.

Danny is.

Miss McAllister divided us into teams.

Each team had a kid producer, a kid camera person...

and an adult mentor.

Our team was me, our camera guy, Cedric, and our mentor, whose name was Paul.

We were sent to find the one kid who could best represent his region on the

show.

He had no idea what we were in for.

Okay, good luck, everybody. Let's do this.

Come on.

Hey!

Hi, are you Blake? Yes, I am. Hi, I'm Allison. Nice to meet you. Nice to meet

you. We're with the World's Greatest Audition. Wow.

Yeah. You ready to show us what you got? Yeah, let's go. Okay, let's do it.

World's Greatest Magician.

Contestant number one.

Action.

Don't take it easy on me. Get super tight.

Come on, buddy.

I present Siegfried as

Doggone. Okay, now.

Be prepared to be astounded as I show you the card you just picked.

Ta -da! One.

No. The Astonishing Linking Ring.

that this is your card. No.

Is this your card? No.

I take an egg, crack it into the hat, add some flour, and a little milk.

After I stir it all up and place it on your head, a cake will

magically appear.

You forgot the rubber.

Basically, I could describe my contestants in two words.

Impressively pathetic.

Bummer, right?

If I didn't find someone who was cool enough to put on the show, my first

at a career was gonna be over before it ever started.

Cedric and I were down to our last hope.

Hi, nice to meet you people. Hi.

We're so glad you're here.

Yeah, this is all Danny's been talking about for weeks.

Great, good, awesome, perfect, yeah.

He's been very, very anxious to meet you people.

Please come in.

Hello? Hi, uh, Danny.

Hi, um, Allison. Nice to meet you.

Paul. Danny.

Welcome.

Ready to show us what you got?

Only one way to find out.

Contestant number 10, Danny Sinclair.

And... action.

One, two, three.

Let me guess, the incredible popping balloon?

No, no, no. See, what's supposed to happen is I pop the balloon and a dove

out. I've done it a million times.

Okay. Just let me try it again, okay?

Be my guest.

One, two, three.

One more time.

All right, one, two, three.

All right, next time, next time for sure. Next time for sure.

You know, maybe you want to try a different trick. No, I can do this, all

I can do this. You need any help? You want an assistant? I mean, we could

try a different camera. I'm going to do it, all right? You just got to back off

and give me another chance.

This really matters to you, huh?

Or then you can... Possibly, no.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I seriously need for it to happen, too.

I'm your last chance.

Yeah, and you're mine.

So, let's just do this, okay? This time, this time is

definitely, definitely gonna work.

Thanks,

kid. No, no, no. Wait a minute, please. I can do this.

Okay, I can do this.

Guys, guys, guys.

I bet the only reason we did a bajillion takes was because Allison thinks the

guy's cute.

The only reason I did a bajillion takes was because our other nine magicians

really stunk.

I can't believe I'm going to be off the show.

Hey, now, you don't know that. One of our magicians could still get picked.

You seriously think so?

No. But as your mentor, I'm supposed to be encouraging.

I'm moving. I got it. I got it. Cedric, you rock!

Wow, man, this kid is good.

You think Danny did this?

Of course he did. Who else?

Okay, totally bizarre. I know. I mean, Danny should have been looking really

happy just then.

But the expression I saw on his face...

seemed a whole lot more like... fear.

You're right, Allison.

Very impressive.

Very impressive indeed.

Yes!

I told you it was unbelievable!

Yeah, a little too unbelievable. What are you saying, Hunter? Isn't it

Burn that Danny kid must have worked the whole thing out ahead of time.

They've been scamming us from the start. We were not.

Oh, get real. There's no way you pulled that off unless you helped. Hunter,

Allison wouldn't do something like that, okay? She knows the rules.

Colluding with a contestant is strictly forbidden.

Well, we all know how much she likes to be the best at everything.

I was there. I mean, I saw the whole thing. So what? He's on her team. Maybe

he's just a picket cheater as she is. We didn't cheat, okay?

Yeah, honest.

I mean... Oh, you were there. What's your assessment?

Honestly, I think this kid's the real deal.

I guess we found our last contestant, Max.

Yes, justice prevailed.

Danny made it onto the show, which meant that I did too.

I was going to be a part of the coolest reality program ever filmed.

I've been thinking a lot about it, and you know the way you set us up back at

your house with the whole, oops, I'm in company and it's all a big disaster

thing, before you completely blew our mind with the doves? That would be the

perfect approach to use in the show, too.

It'll catch everybody on guard and make them love you.

You can come up with something like that again, right?

Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever.

Great! Oh, and the other thing we need to talk about is costumes.

I want something eye -catching, but not too flashy.

Classy, but not some all -black funeral guy look.

Ooh, we really need some kind of a... A gimmick.

621, a paired sidekick.

All right,

pick any card.

Okay. Any card.

Got it? Yeah.

All right.

It's right there.

All right, here's what I'm going to do.

All I want you to do is say jump.

Jump.

Right there.

Wow.

Pretty good.

I think it's pretty good. Here, here, here.

Why don't you do this? Pick a card. You want me to pick a card? Pick a card. I

want you to pick a card.

All right, memorize it. I got it. Put it back anywhere in the deck.

All right, you got it? I got it. All right.

Is that your car?

Awesome, dude.

That's my car. How did you do that?

Magic. That was awesome.

But this whole lopey brooding thing you've got going on is seriously not

to work for TV.

Too boring.

Welcome to the Magic Mansion.

And congratulations to our three finalists.

It's a real honor to meet you. I'm Zoe, and I'm from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The honor is mine, Zoe.

I am Brandon. I'm from San Francisco, Seattle. Good to meet you, Brandon.

I'm Danny from Pensacola.

Yes. I've been looking forward to meeting you, Danny.

I'd like you all to think of this as your home. Follow me.

In its illustrious history, a very few select people have ever been allowed

inside this mansion.

That's because every magic secret known to man and a few not yet revealed are

hidden within these walls.

While here during this competition, you may use every prop, every book, every

illusion we have. And I suggest... You take advantage of it. Remember, you

know how strong your magic is until you test it. Good night.

Oh, by the way, you might want to search your pockets for your room keys.

Danny?

Okay, look, Danny. This is how it's going to be for the next seven days. You

I are going to be like this.

I want to know everything about you. I want to know what you're doing and what

you're thinking 24 hours a day, every day. Right now, I'm thinking that this

my room.

So?

So I'll see you tomorrow.

Wait a minute. We're not done talking here. One of us is.

You're blocking my door. So?

So can we continue this tomorrow, please? I have things I need to take

What kind of things?

None of your business.

Danny. I don't think you're getting it.

Everything about you here is my business. My business is to follow your

move. Who is this girl?

Look, I've watched like a gazillion hours of these shows.

Even the really gross ones, you know, where they have to dive into a vat of

cockroach larvae and... What's your point?

The contestants who get the most screen time are the ones who are wildly

charismatic, extremely competitive, and have usually overcome some heartbreaking

obstacle to get here. Right now, the only heartbreaking obstacle in my life

you. Come on, please.

We're a team.

Oh, yeah?

Then how about a team cheer? Like, uh, go team, go!

Danny, you're not funny. Open up.

Look, there's things about me you're not going to understand no matter how much

we talk.

So how about we make a deal? I promise I will do whatever I can to win this

thing for you as long as the rest of the time, you leave me alone.

Excuse me, did he seriously think a bargain like that would stop me?

I mean, what was he up to? And why was he being so mysterious?

As far as I was concerned, Danny Sinclair was my favorite kind of

Just one more puzzle begging to be solved.

My mentor and the founder of the Magic Mansion, Antonio de Milo, was once

what is a magician's greatest asset?

And he replied... A magician's greatest asset is the ability to think in unusual

ways. Well, that's very impressive, Mr. Sinclair. Yes, the ability to think in

unusual ways. And that is exactly what the nature of your first challenge

entails.

Watch carefully.

A basketball.

Wow.

A rope.

A broom, a 10 -gallon aquarium, and a bed sheet.

Five very different yet common household items. And you

have exactly 30 minutes to create an illusion using any or all of these five

objects.

Just those things and nothing else? Just those things, nothing else.

And the clock is...

It's going to be totally perfect. Here, I'm going to take the rope. Where are my

cameramen?

So,

Danny, I know you've done all this intense, but not very interesting to

thinking. Anything you'd like to hop up and show us?

Anything you want to try?

I mean, probably futile, but charming first attempt. You'd care to perform.

Have I mentioned you're making it hard for me to concentrate?

Okay. Maybe you've never watched much TV, but as I said before, it has... It

to be active. It has to be captivating.

Where are you going? I can't do this.

What do you mean? No, no, no. You have to do this. Listen, I shouldn't have

here in the first place. Especially not if I knew I'd end up with you.

It might help if you try cluing me in, you know. What's this really about? Is

stage fright? Are you freaked out about having to perform in front of a bunch of

cameras? If you are, I totally understand.

Just tell me and we can figure out how to work on it. It's not stage fright.

Then what?

I'm only trying to help. Well, you can't.

I'm not the enemy, you know.

Cedric and I are your friends.

Right, Cedric?

Cedric! Tension, please. Yeah, thanks.

Huh?

I was trying to assure Danny that he's got whatever support he needs because

and I are here for him.

Yeah, for sure.

See? Great. Well, now that we have that established, let's just cut the chitter

-chatter so I can focus on my trick.

Good.

One hundred have tried, but only three have survived.

And now the stakes get even higher. Three kids, seven days, only one

winner. Who will be the world's greatest kid magician?

The challenge begins.

First up, Zoe from Philadelphia.

Anybody can bounce a basketball.

But how many can do this?

was pretty cool.

Max must have thought so, too, because he gave her a seven out of a possible

points. Not bad for starters.

And then, it was Danny's turn.

So, what are you going to do?

Not a clue.

I'm not laughing.

Good.

Because neither am I.

A fish tank.

A basketball.

Yeah. A rope, a broom. Yeah, we know.

Please let him do his trick.

A rope.

Broom.

Don't blink, because all the objects you see here, they're, uh...

They're going to disappear.

Right. You don't stand a snowball's chance, and you know where I'm pulling

off. Oh, yeah?

Watch and be amazed.

One, two, three.

No way.

What's that?

What's going on? Don't stop.

He's rolling.

Very impressive.

That's truly original.

Yeah, but nothing disappeared.

What's with that white stuff?

The trick is nothing.

It's real snow.

This guy thinks he is.

Hey, Hunter.

Catch!

Wait. You said the contestants could only use the five original objects, but

used this.

Yeah. Snow isn't one of the props.

That's ridiculous.

He just did the most amazing trick I've ever seen. It doesn't matter. Rules are

rules. Only the original five objects, Max. That's what you said.

Yes, the challenge was to think in unusual ways, Danny, and you certainly

accomplished that. Yes!

But technically speaking, Hunter is right.

You were meant to use five objects only.

So I'm going to give you a three.

Yes!

Okay, let's clean up the stage.

Brandon, you're next.

If it's okay, I'd like to use an assistant for this.

Danny's right there. Use him.

But it... Stand by. Here we go.

Everybody get ready.

I call this trick clean sweep.

Now, Danny, you could unfold this sheet and hold it up like a curtain.

Easy enough.

All right, Danny, if you could raise the sheet a bit higher. You know,

technically, I'm not one of your five approved items. Just raise the sheet,

okay? Don't be a freak.

And now, for the most amazing feat, you have a... Brandon?

Uh -oh.

Brandon?

Rick, you ask him. No, I saw.

Saw what? I think you're hiding something.

Yeah, well, you're wrong. Are you ever going to start letting me in? If

something's going on, maybe I can help. Thanks, but no thanks. I need to sort

this out myself.

I can't be your friend if you don't give me something to work with, you know?

Look,

I realize I come on a little strong, and maybe, well, I'm sure I've gotten too

caught up in trying to figure you out, but I've got a feeling we might actually

really like each other if we didn't have to be in combat mode every second.

to end up on that wheel i don't know you're the puzzle solver why don't you

me

Can we do this in the morning? I mean, this place creeps me out.

No trapdoor.

There's no way Brandon could have pulled that trick off without a trapdoor.

Who cares how Brandon pulled off the trick? I mean, it's past curfew. It's

We're going to get caught.

No,

there's a trapdoor here. Yeah.

Hi, guys.

What are you doing here?

Same thing you are.

admiring the fine workmanship of the floorboards. Pretty impressive tricky to

this afternoon.

Sometimes I even amaze myself.

I'm sure you do.

No trapdoor.

Yeah, so?

Let's just say this.

I have no idea what really went on, but I know it wasn't you who pulled it off.

Okay, so prove it.

Maybe I will.

There's got to be a trapdoor here somewhere. Keep looking.

Good morning, everyone.

I trust you had a good night's rest.

Now, let's start.

For the second challenge, each contestant will receive a wand bearing a

famous magician's name.

Zoe?

Wow.

Alexander Herman.

Brandon?

Harry Blackstone.

And last but not least, the great Harry Houdini is for Danny.

Oh.

Wow. The challenge for you three is to research your magician. Select and

perform his most renowned trick.

Buona fortuna.

No way.

They're cool.

seen Danny?

Can't exactly say. I've been looking.

He's probably somewhere in the stacks.

You know what? Get some shots of this and I'll find Danny. Sounds good.

Gee, this is great.

You're actually studying.

What's up?

I'm, uh... I don't see any Houdini books here in this mess. Don't worry about

it. I've got that wired.

Then what's all this about?

It's, um... Long story.

I've got time.

Okay, you're always claiming to be the puzzle queen. Maybe you actually can

help.

I'd love to.

See...

Every book or website I've read about the Magic Mansion talks about its secret

rooms or hidden chambers.

I mean, even Max mentioned all the magical mystery that this place holds.

Okay, more information, please.

Well, I've been searching through these books that are supposed to tell the

mansion history, but... I mean, they're no more revealing than anything I could

have gotten out of a public library.

Well, where's all the secret stuff?

It's gotta be around here someplace.

Hold on.

What are you doing?

Just give me a second, okay?

Will you please tell me what you're doing?

Look, see how some of these books have markings on their bindings and others

don't? We need to find out those that have this symbol.

Come on.

All right, what now?

See this on the binding?

I'm betting these are your puzzle pieces, pal.

Now it's up to us to solve it. Allison, you're brilliant.

Thanks for noticing.

Don't mention it. Let's get to work.

Oh,

try this one.

Oh, switch those two.

Oh, the head goes here.

Oh, this one.

Yeah, that's the head. There's the tail.

Wow.

Serpents.

There's two serpents. Do you recognize it?

I've seen this.

I can't believe you figured this out.

Come on, anybody could have done it.

Not me.

I've seen this someplace before.

There it is.

What does it mean? It means if we want to figure out where this is leading us,

we have to find this symbol.

When we find the symbol, we find the secret room.

Follow me.

Great. Let's consider it.

Uh, guys, I don't think this is such a good idea.

Would you rather stay here by yourself?

No.

Okay, it's gotta be the other way.

Follow me.

Let's get to the creeps.

Great. Dead end. Hey, guys.

Let's get out of here.

This is it.

This is the symbol.

Okay. So we found it.

Now what do we do?

I don't know. I don't know. Just come on. Help me out.

Okay. That's it. I'm getting out of here. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

Maybe this is a clue.

What does that mean?

It means whoever reads books finds secrets within.

Well, maybe it's a misdirection.

That's what I'm thinking.

This book is made of stone, and if you want to read a book, you have to... You

have to turn your face!

We really

ought to get out of here. I mean...

Get out of here.

You guys ready?

Are you getting this? Uh -huh.

Come on, Cedric. Have I mentioned that I'm a little claustrophobic?

Will, come on. We need you.

This is pretty crazy.

I'm not sure I'm really claustrophobic. You probably don't need anybody to know

that we're here.

Why not? It's not like any bad's gonna happen, right?

How'd you do that?

A lot of practice.

Hey, guys, have I mentioned that I'm really, really, really claustrophobic?

Just get in here, Cedric.

I can't believe it.

We found the Milo's secret library.

Now that we're here, what are we looking for?

Hey, guys, um, I wonder what this does.

I don't know, but things just keep getting stranger by the second. No

Let's get out of here.

I hope you're ready for your next challenge.

I proudly present to you a classic trick invented by Alexander Herman, but

performed by countless renowned magicians over the years.

Maybe that won't stop.

For

generations,

Harry Blackstone amazed people with his levitation of a light bulb.

I will now attempt the same illusion.

Although Houdini was world famous for his incredible escapes, what you're

to witness was the most mystifying stage illusion ever.

To this day, very few people know how Houdini made a 10 ,000 pound elephant

vanish in a flash.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, as I attempt to recreate this stunning feat,

I present to you my very own highly trained, yet deadly, dangerous wild

elephant.

You know, I might be dressed like an elephant, but I feel like a horse is

behind.

Get over it, all right?

And now, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in over 80 years, may I

present to you Houdini's original...

Brandon. You okay?

She doesn't know what she's doing. There's no way. She's quiet.

Everybody calms down one at a time. She has to be kicked off the show. She's

jealous. You can't limitate a 60 -watt light bulb.

I mean, my guy made a mechanical bulb appear. That's exactly my point. There's

no way he could do that. But he did.

Okay, how?

How did you do it? A good magician never reveals the secrets of his tricks.

Or maybe it's because he can't. Because it wasn't a trick.

Then what was it, Hunter?

I, uh... I think maybe it was real.

Real? Yeah, yeah, you know, like, what if he actually has magical powers?

Yeah, right.

Any idea how crazy you sound?

Look, it's possible, okay? I mean, there's a lot of bizarre things we can't

explain. Like ESP, mind readers... And Donald Trump's hair.

And people who make mechanical bulls appear out of thin air.

Exactly. And while we're at it, I think it was Danny here who made Brandon

disappear during the first challenge.

Look,

as much as I believe it's a total violation of the magician's code...

Why don't you just tell them how you did your trick so we can move on?

You heard her, man.

Give it up. Yeah, come on. Just tell us all how you did it, okay? We really want

to know.

Okay, fine.

All right, Hunter's right.

Huh? I don't know how I did it. I don't understand anything about any of this.

These things just happened to me.

Hey, there. You happy?

Very good, Danny. That's the ideal answer.

You're really learning how to play this game, aren't you?

What's that supposed to mean? Danny just evoked one of the oldest tricks of the

magician's black bag.

I have no idea what you're talking about. Do you realize how many classic

illusionists have garnered endless reams of publicity by claiming to have actual

paranormal powers?

But I'm serious.

I don't know how that mechanical contraption got there.

Brandon said he felt like a horse's rear end, and there it was.

Well, that's very interesting.

So I suppose you have no objection to my getting together a group of

distinguished experts to test your claim.

Well, what sort of experts are we talking about, Max? Well, as president

Worldwide Skeptic Society, you might want to start with me.

Worldwide skeptics.

You. Surprised?

Don't be.

No one knows better than a professional magician what nonsense real powers are.

In fact, there's a long, illustrious history of true magicians debunking

paranormal pretenders, because what we do is we provide precisely practiced

entertainment, and every fraud who comes along only serves to devalue our

skills. So what do you say, young man?

Would you like to settle this nonsense once and for all?

The panel of experts was waiting, and Danny was nowhere to be found.

Call it my own ESP or whatever, but after checking every place I could think

I finally found him.

What are you doing in here?

The panel's waiting.

Danny.

It's no use. I can't do this. What?

Why not?

So whatever way it ends up, it's just going to be a complete disaster for me.

Why? So far you've played it perfectly.

Seriously, do you have any idea what great TV you've been creating?

Wait. You don't... You don't honestly think you have real powers, do you?

I need to explain something to you, but you gotta promise me that you'll just

sit there, quietly, and just let me get through it.

I'll be as silent as a monk.

So, what's the deal?

Come on, you're a smart girl. Think logically.

How did those doves appear in your van?

How did Brandon disappear from a stage that has no trapdoor? Nobody's missing a

mechanical bull anywhere, but yet, one totally appears on our stage?

I mean, do you honestly think it's because I'm such a great magician?

What are you saying?

Listen, I was serious before. I'm a freak.

I'm a freak.

Your powers?

Look.

Well, three years ago, I was walking to school and I saw this really cool

skateboard in the store window.

And I was thinking to myself, how much I wanted that thing.

Two seconds later, it's under my feet, and I'm riding it.

It just appeared?

No, no. It didn't just appear.

Okay, I made it appear.

A couple of months later, this jerk at school was picking on me, making fun of

my hair or my pants or whatever, and I was wishing that he would just get lost.

And then he was gone.

Then they found him like ten feet up in an old oak tree, hanging by a belt loop.

How was any of that possible?

That's the point. I don't know.

Ever since that first incident, I've been driving myself crazy trying to

out what's wrong with me.

I can't control my magic, Allison. I don't know how or when things are going

happen. They just do.

That must be so scary for you.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is.

And that's why I can't get up there in front of those experts. Either nothing

will happen, and I'll look like a total fraud, or my powers will get out of

control, and they'll recognize this great gift of mine, and I'll end up on

government operating table being poked and probed like an alien lab rat.

Look, I can't even come close to saying I'm grasping all this, but

I certainly do know how it feels to be the outcast.

The weirdo.

One nobody else can ever relate to.

Not much fun, right?

No. Not so much.

See, that's why this is so perfect.

Maybe what you need more than anything is just... Just one person who's really

going to believe in you.

And that person's you.

If you want me to be.

Isn't that what friends are for?

You know what else?

I think you should go face Max's experts.

Maybe they can help you. Maybe they can explain all this.

You've got nothing to lose, Danny.

I mean, isn't this why you were so desperate to get here in the first

To find the truth?

These guys might finally give you the answers you need.

Everything was set.

Max's panel of experts included two scientists who specialize in explaining

unexplained phenomena.

You know, the kind of guys who say that crop circles are really made by kids

stomping around with cardboard tied to their shoes.

Or that the Loch Ness Monster is nothing but swamp gas.

Oh, and just so it wouldn't be a stacked deck of techno geeks, Max also invited

a self -proclaimed psychic, Madame Suzette.

And boy, did she look the part.

At what age did you begin to notice this ability?

Around 13 or so. It's common for the powers to first appear around the time

puberty. Tell me, Danny, is it possible that these claims of paranormal powers

are just a ploy to get some extra attention around here?

No, no. My colleague is merely making a reasonable assumption.

Anybody interested in being in a reality TV show is obviously someone who craves

a lot of attention.

Danny, do you have a family history of paranormal abilities?

Your mother? Your father?

No. An aunt, possibly?

Not that I know of. Maybe a long -lost second cousin, twice removed on your

father's side? Look, I'm sure we could go on with this all day, but either this

boy can demonstrate his supposed powers or he cannot.

I, for one, am ready to find out.

What will you be attempting? Yes, Danny, tell us. What's it going to be?

A little localized snowstorm, perhaps?

Maybe a mechanical bull appearing out of thin air.

I honestly have no idea. Don't force it, Danny. Just relax.

Clear your mind of all thoughts.

Let the powers come to you.

Are you up to it, Danny? Tell us. Are you up to it or not?

I'm losing it. Relax.

Stay focused. Breathe.

What are you doing?

Get your hands off of him.

Why? Are you afraid I'm affecting his flight pattern?

You weren't actually levitating, were you, Danny?

I thought I was. Of course he was. Oh, really? Well, all right. I suppose it's

possible, but instead of going for far -fetched answers, why don't we look at a

more logical explanation right in front of us? Stand up, will you, Danny?

You see, my friends, the secret is not in the boy.

It's in the chair.

Please, explain.

This is a very clever device invented by a Scandinavian illusionist named Lars

Holmstrom. He made two of them, one he kept for himself and one I have here at

the mansion.

I keep it locked away in storage, although that could explain why I

reports of you nosing around downstairs.

I've never seen this chair before.

Oh, I see. I guess it walked up here all by itself, didn't it?

I'd like to demonstrate for you, ladies and gentlemen.

There's a trigger device right here behind the left leg. It's a hydraulic

system.

A thin plate recessed into the chair seat is attached to a rod which runs

up the middle spine of the back of the chair. It is able to lift 200 pounds.

It's a very ingenious device, but a device nonetheless.

Danny's a performer, like all performers, but a mighty clever one,

think?

Interesting, huh?

Yeah.

Danny, wait.

You can't run away from me. So whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear

it, all right? Why? Because you know you lied to me?

I'm not a liar.

Nobody can relate to me. My powers would be such a freak. I'm so alone.

Blah, blah, blah.

Yeah, every single bit of that was true.

Oh, really? Because it's feeling to me like Professor French was right. You're

only using me to make yourself the star of this stupid show. Oh, come on,

Allison. That is so not it. All right, don't you get it?

Max is the one who doesn't want my abilities revealed.

He's the one who rigged the chair. Here, tell me why. I don't know. Maybe

there's some reason why he's out to get me.

You are... You are truly unbelievable.

You never quit, do you?

You know, you actually had me fooled for a minute there.

Except suddenly it couldn't be clearer.

You're exactly like everybody else I've ever known.

Setting me up to make me look like a fool.

Just so you can prove I'm not as smart as I think I am. You get over yourself.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe this has nothing to do with you?

You know what?

Tell it to someone who cares.

Sorry I was ever lame enough to imagine we were friends.

So, where did that leave us?

As far as the expert panel was concerned, Danny was just an ordinary

magician who also happened to be a truly impressive trickster.

Well, much to Hunter's dismay, That meant Danny was not only still eligible

compete in the grand finale, but it also meant that he was probably a shoo -in

to win.

And as for me, well, losing a friend did not mean I was willing to lose my job.

The big difference was that from here on out, Danny and I were going to be all

about the show.

And nothing else.

Shouldn't we be out getting new footage of Danny practicing his new trick or

something?

I'd love to, Cedric, but I'm busy.

Oh, still ticked, huh?

Do I have a right to be?

I don't know if Danny lied to you about the levitation chair or what, but he's

still a great magician, I mean, if nothing else.

And we both know he totally pulled off getting those doves into Paul's van.

No, he didn't. I'm sure it's just one more lousy trick.

I'll bet you I can show you how he did it. Sure.

Okay. Somewhere in here, we're gonna see his parents or somebody show up to

start letting those doves into the van. How?

Paul locked when we left. It was still locked when we got back.

Maybe we left a window cracked or something. I don't know.

Hate to tell you, but here we come, and nobody's messed with the van.

You're opening the door. I still haven't seen any dove wrangler.

Did you see that?

Back it up. Back it up.

Those doves came out of nothing.

Now you see it. Now you don't.

It's a miracle.

Absolutely.

Not a dove.

Danny's not a magician.

He's a wizard.

Yeah Danny Danny

Danny

Check

if you check

outside I'll check the vault

I should get going. Come on. Sit down. Relax.

You have nothing to concern yourself with.

Sure.

You came here looking for ants?

Well,

yeah.

Oh.

I have exactly what it is you're looking for. Sit down.

Danny, I know all about you.

I know about your struggles, I know about your confusion, and I know about

powers. But aren't you the one who said I was faking it to get attention?

I mean, aren't you the president of the Worldwide Skeptic Society?

It's a perfect cover, isn't it?

You see, every generation, one or two truly powerful sorcerers are born with

magical abilities that would boggle the imagination of ordinary men.

I'm one of those true wizards.

And Danny...

So are you.

But how did you know? I mean, how did you find me? I didn't find you. You

me. I created this show hoping it would act as a lure to bring out one more

great sorcerer, and it worked.

But if I'm so great and magical, then how come my powers are always totally

of my control?

Well, you're young yet. You're untrained. But all that's about to

What do you mean?

Harnessing your power is about focus and concentration.

It's about learning to believe that you are entitled to this great gift you've

been given. Nothing to be ashamed of. It's nothing to be afraid of. Danny, I

have felt every single thing that you've been feeling. I was exactly like you.

Alone and afraid.

And then one day, I met my mentor,

Antonio de Milo.

And I began to feel what I know you're going to begin to feel.

I felt safe.

I felt home.

And that's where you are, Danny.

You're home.

Watch this.

Now you try.

You need to be more centered.

It's all about concentration.

It's all about focus.

What you need to do is you need to believe.

There. You see how simple that is?

All right, now let's see what you've got.

I'm going to get you, Max.

Max,

I'm so sorry. That thing could have killed you. It's fine, Danny. It's

fine. We'll work on it.

We'll work on it together. That's what mentors are for.

Meanwhile, I have a gift for you.

Slip this rig on your finger, and while your tutelage proceeds, your powers will

remain totally intact.

There'll be no more unexpected spells, no more vanishing friends, no more

to worry about your every thought.

How is that possible?

Magic.

There.

Go ahead.

Feels good, doesn't it?

You don't even know.

Are you sure it's going to work?

Yes, I'm sure.

Look, I know this is overwhelming for you. It's an awful lot to digest, an

lot to grasp. So I think you should go back to your room and have a good

sleep. I want you to have the best sleep you've ever had in your life tonight.

Thank you.

Sounded to me like that went pretty well.

He clearly has the potential to be more powerful than I'll ever be.

That's why it's imperative we keep a close eye on him. Not that it's a

As long as no one removes that ring from his finger, he's no threat.

Because, as you know, he can't remove it himself.

And by this time tomorrow, his powers will be mine.

Just like the Milo before him.

Danny, please wake up. Are you in there? We need to talk. Please open up.

Please. Allison.

It's late.

Shouldn't you be in bed?

Yeah, yeah, sure.

After a completely horrible sleepless night, I realized it didn't matter how

I'd been at Danny.

Max was up to something.

Something terrible.

And if I didn't warn Danny, who would?

We need to talk.

Nice catch.

Will you listen to me? This is serious.

Max is not who you think he is. Yeah, I know.

It turns out that he's the only one that truly understands me.

No, Danny, you're wrong.

Look.

It would be better if we could talk alone, okay?

Why? These guys are my friends.

I'm actually making real friends, Allison.

For the first time in forever, I'm feeling like... like a normal kid.

Yeah? Well, I hate to break it to you, but maybe that isn't who you were born

be.

Hey, what the... Wait, you followed me?

No.

I was looking for you.

And I heard voices through the grate in the wall. I went to investigate, saw you

there with Max.

All right, great. Then you heard.

All right, this ring's letting me keep my powers in check until I'm able to

handle him. But that's just it.

After you left the chamber, I was still there when Paul came back.

And Max told him, he said, your magic's too powerful, that you need to be

watched.

And he also said that as long as that ring stays on your finger, your powers

totally in his control.

Oh, come on, Allison.

That doesn't even make any sense.

But it's true.

You know what? I have proof.

Come on.

Yeah, okay.

Allison, good. I'm glad you're here. Hello, Danny.

Shouldn't you be getting ready for tonight's finale?

Uh, sure.

Um... Miss McAllister?

Danny and Max are both real sorcerers, and Max is out to suppress Danny's

powers. Allison. I'm not kidding. I have it all here on this tape. She has no

idea what she's talking about. Yes, I do. It's all right here.

Then perhaps what we ought to do is watch this tape of yours, huh?

What is this about, Max?

I'm going to show you. I have no idea.

Go ahead.

Show them.

Show them what you're really all about, huh?

Now you'll see.

Well,

now, what do we call this, Allison?

Polar bear in a snowstorm.

This can't be.

It was here. I know it was.

I shot it myself.

You guys, please, you have to believe me.

Don't you get it? He messed with it. He did something.

Please, you have to believe me. They're sorcerers, both of them.

Only Jane is basically good and Max might be evil. Oh, yes, yes.

The big bad wolf is coming to blow our house down.

Please, you have to believe me. I know what I saw in her. The problem is you're

confusing fact with fantasy, Allison, and I don't think that's a very good

quality for a reality producer. Don't you agree?

You're probably just overwrought and overworked. We've been asking an awful

of you teen producers. The pressure was bound to get to one of you.

Danny, please, tell her.

Danny, please.

Tell them what, Allison?

I'm just a normal kid magician who happens to be a truly impressive

That's all.

Allison, I'm so sorry that you're upset.

And I'm sorry that you're misinformed.

But I do think that the very best thing for our show and for your own personal

health and well -being is that we send you home at once.

Well,

it's just to get a little rest.

No, you can't do this to me.

Miss McAllister, please. Allison, Max is right. It's painfully clear that you

need to go. Okay. I'm sorry.

Wait.

Save it, okay?

I had your chance to speak up and you didn't. Speak up about what?

You said you had proof, but you didn't. You claim that Max is out to get me, but

you don't know how or why.

I mean, how was I supposed to believe you, huh?

Besides, you have no idea how happy I've been lately.

Feeling like a normal kid for the first time in years.

I mean, it's the only thing I've ever wanted.

That's interesting.

Because if you want my opinion, I think what you really came here searching for

was to find somebody who could accept you as you are and be your friend.

Allison, look.

Allison!

Allison!

Allison!

Wow, look at this.

Your last great trick.

Managing to make your only ally disappear, huh?

I so stupidly thought Danny and I were friends.

But there was one little thing that wouldn't quit nagging at me.

If Antonio de Milo had founded the Magic Mansion and served as Max's mentor,

what had happened to him?

There was something in my gut telling me this was one last puzzle.

Crying out to be solved.

Demilo's power seemed to have deserted him.

A prop that he had worked with a thousand times fell on him during the

performance and crushed his skull.

And then I saw it.

The ring that Demilo was wearing.

The ring that drains a magician's power. The ring that my friend Danny was now

wearing. And I knew what was going to happen.

His powers would fail him too if I didn't get that ring off his finger.

I had to tell him everything I suspected, everything I found.

I wasn't sure exactly what he was up to, but if Max was now planning to rob

Danny of his powers, or perhaps something even worse, he'd have the

opportunity during the finale that night.

The finale that was just about to start.

I was out of time.

I had to get back into the Magic Mansion to warn my friend.

Sure. Okay.

But how?

Welcome. How are you? It's very nice to see you. This is a big day for Danny.

He's excited. We have a table right up front for you. Thank you. Enjoy.

Hey, you, put that truck over here.

I need that camera out here now, okay? Just now.

You, you, I need you covering arrivals in the lobby.

Uh -huh, uh -huh.

Don't worry, I'm on it.

I got a delivery for Danny Sinclair.

Let's move, people. We're live in ten minutes.

Come on, Hustle. Be appreciated. Let's go.

Hi. Looking good, huh? My headset, please.

I just figured with Allison booted off the show, you probably need somebody to

pick up the slack.

All I need from you is to find Max and make sure Brandon is ready to go on. I

hear he's freaking out over some sequin crisis or something. No problem.

I'm going on like five minutes. Nothing's ready.

Wardrobe malfunction all the way.

I don't get it, Max. How am I going to do my final trick if this ring keeps my

powers in check? Don't worry about it.

We're in this together now, Danny. I'll be right there with you. Just go out on

that stage, and I'll make sure the magic happens.

Isn't that kind of like cheating? I mean, maybe I should just take it off

the contest is over. No.

Do you remember how you felt before you put that ring on? Do you want to feel

that way again?

Danny, I want you to trust me. All you have to do is go out on that stage

tonight, relax, and have fun.

Mr. Callister needs you on stage, Mac. Yes, I'll be there shortly. Look.

We can do great things together, Danny. Don't let me down. I'm counting on you.

incredible contestants one final challenge. Who will be the world's

magician? Currently in first place, please help me welcome the brilliant

Ross.

What are you doing back here? I thought Max banned you from this place.

He did.

But I just couldn't stay away, you know.

Me and Magic, we're like this.

Yeah? Well, too bad. I think security's going to want to talk to you. Oh, come

on, Hunter. Don't be a jerk. I mean, if you're going to run me out, at least let

me show you a new little trick I learned first.

What kind of trick?

Oh, it's simple, really.

All I do is make my problem disappear.

Allison, get back here. Allison!

And now, please help me in welcoming our second contestant, Philadelphia's own

Zoe Cunningham.

Camera one, get ready. This should be fun. It's really cute.

Have some fun out there, all right? Thank you. Thanks.

Danny.

Alice, what are you doing here?

I've got something I need to show you. It's about Max's mentor, Antonio de

So? So, he died in an on -stage accident during a live performance and happened

to be wearing the exact same ring Max gave to you.

And you're seriously telling me that doesn't mean anything?

Yeah. Danny, you didn't hear Max down in his chamber with Paul.

I did, and you're in real danger here.

Allison, that's ridiculous.

Max is controlling your powers with that ring.

And I heard him say you can't take it off by yourself. If you still don't

believe me, then just take it off and see how different you feel. I don't want

to take it off.

I know how different I'll feel. I'll feel scared and isolated and petrified

my own thoughts. All right? I've been there.

And I'm not interested in going back.

But you can learn to master all that.

Danny.

You're on in one minute. I'll be right there, Miss McAllister.

Please, listen to me.

I really don't want to see you get hurt.

Look, I might not have concrete proof about Max, but I know I'm right.

He doesn't honestly care about you, and I do.

Please, Danny, I'm begging you to take a leap of faith.

I gotta go, all right?

At least if you let me take your ring off, you might be able to fight back if

you need to.

I'm sorry, Allison.

I... I won't do it.

And now,

drumroll, please.

Help me give a warm welcome to our final contestant, the one and only Danny

Sinclair.

Come on, Danny.

Come on, Danny.

Well, Danny, here it is.

One last feat of Ledger domain.

How are you feeling?

To be perfectly honest, we're too ready to get this over with. Oh, now, wait a

minute, my friend.

You mean to tell me that a young skinny fellow like you is claiming that he's

able to lift that weight all on his own?

That's a thousand pounds of pure lead.

You mean to say that you dare to try to lift that and raise it over your head?

That's the plan, yeah.

What do you think, folks?

Is it possible?

Are you ready, Danny?

Absolutely. Well, let's get on with the show. That's what we came for, ladies

and gentlemen.

We're going to need a much stronger stage, eh?

I can't imagine what it is Danny intends to do next, but I hope he's not

planning on using that weight again. What do you say, folks?

Why don't we give this young man another chance, eh?

Fair problem, Danny.

Listen, I know about the mile on the ring, Max. You tricked me. Yeah, it's a

pretty clever trick, don't you think? Yeah, well, it's not going to work, Max.

Well, we'll see.

Ladies and gentlemen, this young man is ready to work again. Why don't we give

him a nice round of applause so we can finish his act, eh?

It's your move, Danny.

A special delivery for Danny Sinclair?

Well, what could this be?

A new wrinkle has been added, eh?

What is it?

Well,

every great magician deserves a beautiful assistant, don't you

think, Max? Oh, I don't know.

It seems to me...

That whenever a new element has been added belatedly, it can be quite a

point.

And it has been my experience that not every assistant is

quite as sharp as she might be.

Allison!

Well, they do say that good help is hard to find these days. Well, as

amusing as all of this has been, ladies and gentlemen, particularly for me, why

don't we give Danny a chance to focus on his trick?

Ladies and gentlemen.

than never. That's my motto.

Allison, what are you doing here? I told you, you can't remove the ring

yourself. Someone else has to. We don't give up, do you? Not when it's something

I care about. I'll be my guest.

What

do

you think you're doing?

Oh, my final trick, Max. Isn't that what you've been urging me to do?

Ladies and gentlemen, Max has so graciously agreed to join me as I

final act.

You're no match for me, darling.

Even without the ring, your powers will soon be mine.

Never. As you wish.

Your move, Max.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's get on with this show.

anyone could have ever imagined. And I was there to witness it all.

Of course, Max must have gotten Paul to take the ring off for him. Because by

the time he returned to the production office, every single show tape had

mysteriously disappeared.

But then, someone managed to make them mysteriously reappear right here in my

room.

I cut together everything you just saw because I felt like it was really

important for everyone to know the truth.

And Danny, well...

Once he realized that Max was still out there somewhere, he went into hiding,

hoping to hone his skills and get real control of his powers before they meet

again.

I heard he's definitely getting stronger every single day.

Unfortunately, even I'm not allowed to know where he's hiding.

Okay, so maybe I do know where he is.

How did I get here?

Magic.

How do you do that? A good magician never reveals the secrets of his tricks.

Show off.