Did you ever hear of Juan the Magnificent?
Juan was just a young man growing up in rural Mexico. He felt he had little chance to grow up and do anything of importance or recognition. He'd grow up and work the land. The same as his father and his grandfather before him.
Until the day he saw the great magician Harry Houdini.
Then young Juan knew his destiny.
Time passed and Juan slowly learned the art of magic. First pleasing friends and family with simple sleight of hand, before going on to grow older and begin entertaining patrons of the local bars with illusions and escapology.
By the time he was 20 he had toured through all of Mexico. From Aguascalientes to Zacatecas and all places inbetween. His fame in the country of his home soon brought a talent scout from America seeking him out.
Before he knew it, Juan the magnificent was on a whirlwind tour of the US, Europe and beyond treading the very same boards that his inspiration Harry Houdini once stodd upon.
This went on for some time, until Juan reached the mid point of his life, when he soon saw dwindling numbers in his audience. The cheers were not so loud and his fame had begun to fade.
Juan needed a new trick.
The next great trick.
It would be his greatest achievement. His crowning glory. His final act. The one they would speak about for generations to come.
As Juan passed his 63rd birthday, the stage was set. The final performance of the legendary Juan the Magnificent. One night only.
The theatre was sold out. People in every seat. People stood in the aisles and sat upon the floors eager to see this last performance.
The lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play. The curtains opened slowly revealing Juan the Magnificent. He stood in the middle of the stage, dressed in the finest black silk three piece suit, his top hat upon his head.
The stage lights came up, and with a dramatic flourish Juan the Magnificent swept his hat off his head and stood, arms outstretched as the crowd roared with delight.
Juan the Magnificent stood and basked in the warmth their cheers gave him. As the cheers softened and eventually quitened, Juan the Magnificent took a grateful bow.
Juan the Magnificent, straightened. Placed his hat back upon his head and cried out
"UNO! DOS!"
And he vanished without a tres.
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