Tricky Jack #2
Based on Dark Horse GN "Lazarus Jack"
EXT. ST. JAMES MANSION - GARDEN - DAY
It’s a glorious morning and the Pierce brothers (Jackson and Rahman) are practicing their archery skills. Rahman takes aim at the target while Jackson observes his brother’s stance.
RAHMAN: Ancient Tai-seti archers studied the integration of mind and body.
JACKSON: I really don’t need another history lesson.
RAHMAN: Once mental peace was achieved... (lets go the arrow) ... their aim was always true.
The arrow rockets toward a huge target—Twang!—and smacks the bullseye.
Jackson slips THE GLOVE (Houdini’s gift) over a hand and changes place with Rahman at the shooting line. He adjusts his stance.
RAHMAN: Where’s your bow?
Rahman offers Jackson his bow, but Jackson refuses it.
RAHMAN: What are you going to do? Toss that ridiculous glove at the target?
JACKSON: It’s not ridiculous.
RAHMAN: Right. I understand. You’re grieving. I’m rather sad, too.
JACKSON: Poor ol’ Harry.
RAHMAN: I sent flowers to Bess. From the both of us.
JACKSON: Are you upset he didn’t send you a gift?
RAHMAN: Hmph. Not really. I mean . . . it’s quite ugly, isn’t it? And being that there’s only one glove, it’s also impractical. So . . . no. My answer is no. Not upset.
JACKSON: Perhaps the mate was sent to your apartment.
RAHMAN: Unlikely. He always liked you best. His favorite flunky. (beat) It’s just—why a glove? A single glove? It’s perplexing. I’m guessing there’s some history behind the damn thing. Some kind of joke, maybe?
JACKSON: It’s no joke, Rahmie. You’ll see.
Jackson pulls back imaginary bow string on an imaginary bow. This also agitates Rahman.
RAHMAN: You’re a mime now?
JACKSON: Harry wanted to believe in real magic, otherworldly things, but he, like us, could only do tricks.
A quiver hanging from a nearby tree limb suddenly trembles.
JACKSON: He’d seek out anyone known to possess paranormal gifts. Or supernatural artifacts.
An arrow rises up from the quiver and levitates mid-air.
RAHMAN: Now you’re the history teacher.
Rahman sees the levitating arrow and he isn’t amused. But he is curious.
JACKSON: Most the sorcerers he interviewed were. . . grifters.
RAHMAN: Hmph. Showing off a new trick, are we?
The arrow takes off on its own, zooming toward the target.
Thwak! The arrow joins the other arrow lodged in the bullseye.
RAHMAN: How ARE you doing that? Explain, please. NOW.
JACKSON: Right before his death, Harry finally found what he’d been searching for –– REAL MAGIC.
RAHMAN: Trifle with the devil, you’re bound to be burned.
Jackson raises the imaginary bow again.
JACKSON: Like a wild animal, the supernatural can be tamed. Those are your words. Remember?
The remaining arrows rise up from the quiver.
RAHMAN: Even a tamed animal can bite the hand that feeds it.
Ten arrows make their way to the bullseye.
RAHMAN: Harry discovers a so-called “magic” glove and then dies. . . mysteriously? How valuable is this glove? Was he murdered for it? Or is it cursed? (beat) Cursed, uff, forget I just said that. Just tell me . . . how exactly DID Harry die, Jackson?
JACKSON: You’re worried. Stop worrying. I’ll be careful. I’m always careful.
RAHMAN: What? Since when have you ever—
INT. TRIBUNE TOWER — BULLPEN - DAY
Jackson, accompanied by Rahman, holds an impromptu PRESS CONFERENCE inside the Chicago newspaper office. Journalists, photographers and staff gather around. Hearing commotion, the Publisher and some Copy Editors step out of their offices to join.
JACKSON: “The Man Who Walks Away From His Shadow.” (beat) My old boss, the great Harry Houdini taught me that trick. The late great, I’m told. (sighs) Gone, yet his legend lingers.
RAHMAN (aside to Jackson): A bit thick, old boy.
JACKSON: My brother just remarked that no one will ever take his place. That’s probably true. Who in this life could possibly wear such a heavy crown?
Jackson scans the room as if looking for a candidate.
JACKSON: Okay, I will. I’ll do it.
Jackson waits for laughs to subside.
JACKSON: Tomorrow night as a tribute to this great, great man –– this legend –– I will perform his classic Water Torture Act.
Everyone applauds.
JACKSON: One last time, let’s shout his name to the Heavens. Just as they’ve done in theaters all around the world.
EXT. VAUDEVILLE THEATRE – NIGHT
A crowd dressed in evening clothes gathers underneath a marquee that reads: “TRICKY JACK – A TRIBUTE TO HARRY HOUDINI — SPECIAL PERFORMANCE - ONE NIGHT ONLY!”
High above the marquee, three Djinn scale the theater facade.
INT. VAUDEVILLE THEATRE - STAGE - LATER
Kettledrums are pounded in the orchestra pit.
The curtain opens on Angeline, dressed in a Chinese Empress costume. Her glittery headdress sparkles in the spotlight.
She directs audience attention to the main event: Eerie green lights reveal Jackson, handcuffed, wrapped in chains, hanging upside down by his ankles over a glass water tank. He’s wearing a one-piece swimsuit. No glove.
Rahman, in an ornate dragon robe with Hanfu hat, stands at the bottom of the tank with a fire axe –– in case of emergency.
Jackson is lowered into the water. Then a blue velvet shroud lifts up from the floor and covers the tank.
A spotlight reveals a huge clock ticking off the time Jackson spends underwater.
Tick Tock. Rahman raises the axe, ready for anything.
Tick Tock. The orchestra stops playing.
Tick Tock. Audience distress becomes audible.
Tick Tock. Angeline also appears distressed.
ANGELINE: Something’s wrong.
House lights go up. The stage is fully lit.
RAHMAN: Close the main curtains! Now!
Rahman is just about to shatter the tank with his axe when the shroud surrounding the tank drops to the floor.
There’s a collective gasp from the audience.
A woman in the front row screams!
The exposed water tank is bright orange. Brimming with Coy!
Jackson emerges from the tank as if walking through a projected image. He’s completely dry, wearing a boat hat, striped blazer, flannels, and THE GLOVE.
The crowd goes wild! They chant:
AUDIENCE: JACK! JACK! JACK! JACK!
The show isn’t over yet. Jackson steps to Rahman and takes the axe. Rahman reflexively obliges, backing away.
JACKSON (to Rahman): How’m I doing?
Jackson flings the axe at the tank.
Skaash! The tank smashes open.
No shattered glass. No flood of water and coy. Just a sparkling spray of glitter, followed by a flock of doves. All this while the orchestra plays “Wild About Harry”.
HOUSE SEATING
Doves fly over the delirious crowd. Applause is accompanied by stomping feet, whistling, climbing on seats, whooping, and cheers. Men and women weep. Some drop to their knees in the aisles. Some rush the stage, reaching up, hoping to touch the great illusionist.
BACK ON STAGE
Jackson glides across the boards to Angeline’s side. She lets go the curtain and collapses in his arms.
JACKSON (to Angeline): What? Too much?
TO BE CONTINUED
Tricky Jack © Mark Scott Ricketts, based on the Dark Horse graphic novel “Lazarus Jack” created by Mark Ricketts (writer) and Horacio Domingues (artist).