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The Magician is a world traveller, trickster, and storyteller, still pining for Angie, his recent ex-girlfriend. He devises a plan to perform a levitation trick on her, both as a gift of freedom, and a manipulative attempt to win her back by proving that her freedom is his to control. In this speech to the audience, the Magician uses his storytelling skills to recount his discovery of the levitation trick and his desires and regrets in regards to Angie. He about talks their relationship, his feelings, his fear that his love made him weak and drove her away. He reveals and explores his dual motivations for giving Angie the gift of floating free. The Magician’s speech is contemplative, emotional, and above all, a performance.
On my recent trip to India, I traveled in a small village far, far away from civilization. I had heard about an Indian fakir with extraordinary power who lived in this village. One of his powers was the ability to levitate a woman, to cause her to float in the air with no visible means of support. I happened to see a demonstration of this in person, outdoors, on a hot summer day.
[....]
And I know that tonight when she has been levitated four feet closer to the stars, she will walk out the door and not look back. I know this, so please don’t feel for me; the pain is mine to play with. Angie?
Martin, Steve. WASP and Other Plays. Samuel French, New York, NY. 1996. p. 57-59.
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