The Magic Trick

Mr. Gonzales looked back one last time.

He had been running for quite some time now it seemed to him and as he turned his gaze to the scene unfolding behind him one final time, he noticed the usual suspects in hot pursuit – some way back but definitely making ground too rapidly for Mr. Gonzales’s liking was that burly guy he knew from his trip to Greece two months back. He had travelled to Greece before but last time around this guy had made sure that his business did not proceed according to script. Now he had the upper hand finally. Also chasing him was a tall lanky dude of about 21. Mr. Gonzales knew this lad only too well, having spent a year in London with him when both of them were learning the trade. The third and final pursuer was an older man, slowed down comparatively by his years but as wily as a fox. Mr. Gonzales knew him too, having worked with him for 4 years during his time in Milan.

Having made himself well aware of his tail , Mr. Gonzales now continued running , his feet landing rapidly on the soft and lush green grass that covered another 30 yards in front of him . A buzzing sound was constantly getting louder and louder – maybe it was the blood pounding in his ears, thought Mr. Gonzales and decided to push the sound out of his mind at least for now. He had to outrun his pursuers and he focused all his energies to doing just that.

Mr. Gonzales looked up – the end of his run was in sight, he could see his destination clearly now. The clear imprint of the destination in his mind now coincided with the images being relayed from his eyes to the brain and the imprint became clearer than ever. The path to his destination was however suddenly blocked by a stocky man who had slithered in unseen from the right, taking advantage of Mr. Gonzales’s inattention to all things but the destination. As he rushed in with full force towards Mr. Gonzales it all seemed over for the running man, outdone by his own undivided focus.

Mr. Gonzales, however, was equal to the task. He deftly twisted his body to the left and feinting a movement to the left, in a fluid motion moved to his right changing his direction too rapidly for the onrushing man to adjust and the man unable to control his feet which had already anticipated a movement to the left tripped and fell, his head bouncing off the ground dangerously as he did so. Tussocks of grass flew into the air as Mr. Gonzales left the scene in his wake.

There was no time to stop and take a breath. A second wasted and his pursuers would surely catch up with him. Fatigue seemed to course through every muscle, every sinew in Mr. Gonzales’s body. His tired legs did not want to move anymore. Mustering every ounce of strength he had left and digging deeper than he ever had into his reserves of energy, Mr. Gonzales looked up one last time .Only one man stood between him and that image of his destination firmly embedded now into his consciousness. Mr. Gonzales knew this gentleman too. He had come across him no less than four times in the past year itself .He was one of the best exponents of the trade in England and widely regarded as one of the best the world over. Mr. Gonzales had outwitted him only once in twelve meetings so far but today, he had a feeling, was going to be his day.

Having seen Mr. Gonzales rushing towards him form a distance, Mr. Davidson had decided to try the usual with his adversary. After all the’ usual’ had allowed him huge personal satisfaction on eleven of the past twelve meetings and there was no reason to suggest failure now. As per the oft practised routine, Mr. Davidson waited till Mr. Gonzales was within 16 yards of him and began his run towards him, slightly angling his body to the right. He was determined not to let Mr. Gonzales past him today. Mr. Gonzales smiled to himself as he saw Mr. Davidson rushing towards him. He knew the routine only too well – Davidson would rush towards him with his body angled to one side slightly giving him the impression that running towards the other side would be beneficial but just when they would be within 5 yards of each other, the tall Mr. Davidson would deftly change direction and aim for the feet, timing his dive to perfection and not allowing Mr. Gonzales to go past him.

Mr. Gonzales decided to put his plan into action. He ran towards Davidson’s left giving him the impression that the routine was working to perfection. With 6 yards to go he leaned in more towards his right and swiftly transferred all his weight to the left as if to change direction. With less than half a yard left till moment of impact, he successfully moved to his left and dug his feet deep into the ground. His brain registered nothing more as Davidson’s huge body overpowered him and he was slammed onto the ground with a force that seemed to shake the whole world around him. His eyes closed momentarily – more from the shock of fall than fatigue.

Mr. Davidson raised his head from the ground and turned his head around to look. He sighed in anguish as he realized what had happened. He had succeeded in not letting Mr. Gonzales go past him yet again.

The chipped football however lay still in one corner of his goal.