John stared wide-eyed at the woman on stage, where he was sure he had just witnessed magic. And now, his supposed friend Jeff was recklessly inviting trouble his way. Trying his best to hold his composure in front of his peers, he could not hide his anxiety from Madame Illusia as she seemed to peer deep into his soul, and could sense a reserved respect the young boy had for her powers somewhere under a thin guise of bravado.
The magician thought for a second and turned her attention to the agitator Jeff: "I don't think any magic could make more of a jackass out of your friend than the one I'm looking at...."
Jeff seemed to choke on her words, grimacing sharply; his attention and arms drawn to a stabbing pang in his gut as he collapsed to the ground on one knee. The boy rolled to one side, risking a look at the woman incredulously as though she had betrayed him.
Jeff's pulse began to race. A cold pain in his head hit him like brain freeze, leaving him slightly disoriented. He shook off his baseball cap and held one hand to his temples. Feeling spared and somewhat relieved, John's concern shifted to his friend on the ground, the sweat beading on his forehead from the heat swelling within him beginning to gather dirt from his rolling on the ground. The spotlight jerked like a late reflex to the boy as he let out a nauseous strangled moan.
"Ugggh... God, no, what are you doHEEEENGH!" Jeff's tone broke off into a strange bray as he tried to protest. The Madame was effectively dispelling any lingering skepticism in the heads of the boys remaining in the tent, now witnessing the beginning of the Madame's real show.
Walker's face had been overcome by a new look of rage aimed at the Madame, who was all the while watching her handywork.