Stephan's eyes danced, his gaze jumping from one expectant face to the other. Certainly Madame Illusia would stand to earn a great deal this night! If business remained this good for the rest of the tour . . . but no, Stephan knew better to think his mother would ever consent to retire or even take a vacation. There were too many impoverished relatives to help support, and Stephan had resigned himself years go to an endless succession of one town after another . . . there were too many hurt/needy/greedy people out there willing to part with their hard-earned money in exchange for the illusion of happiness.
Not that Madame Illusia's transformations were illusions; far from it, they were very real and, unless deliberately reversed by the witch herself, quite permanent. But Stephan knew that most of their subjects eventually discovered they were no happier after their transformation than before . . . that longed-for body only brought a different set of problems.
Tonight, Stephan did his best to maintain his mysterious and energetic front, but the truth was that he was tired. He wished that he could take just one week out of their grueling schedule to relax, to try some of their famous transformations on himself, but as the years went on, his mother became even more driven. She booked their engagements months in advance and allowed no time in between for lollygagging. There were people to change and monies to pocket!
Scanning the crowd, Stephan saw one young man who had not leapt eagerly forward, money in hand, with an impossible request. "So, young fellow!" he said, focusing his attention on the thin, college-aged teenager who looked as miserable as Stephan himself was. "Have you no dream you'd like to realize?"
The teenager sighed. "I do, but it's not myself I want to transform."
"No? Well then, say no more, for the illustrious Madame Illusia can provide you with the means to instigate whatever transformation you desire on any person, willing or otherwise. Tell me what it is you desire to do."
When the boy, whose name was Craig, answered, those around him who heard the reply laughed in disbelief and amusement. Stephan allowed his eyes to flash with a smile, but he remained quite serious. "It will be yours," he said. "Now step forward, for there is now only a matter of our fee."
What did Craig wish for?