The Illusionist Page #2

You! Don't touch that!

- Put that down!

- Ah, Herr Eisenheim.

Who are you and what do you

think you're doing?

I'm Chief Inspector Walter Uhl

and I'm inspecting your theater.

I've seen you perform.

Very impressive.

- Very impressive.

- How can we help you, Inspector?

You will be honored to know

the crown prince...

plans to attend

your performance tonight.

- The crown prince?

- Yes!

So, obviously we have

to inspect the theater.

I think that one's small

for an assassin, don't you?

Yes, the orange tree.

You know, I have seen things

like this before...

but never one like that.

- Extraordinary.

- Thank you.

I have been puzzling

over how it works...

especially how the butterflies fly.

I assure you,

your secret is safe with me.

I'm an officer of the law after all,

and a bit of an amateur conjurer.

- Are you really?

- Yes.

Well, card tricks, coins,

uh, sleight of hand, yes.

Hmm.

But nothing fancy.

Perhaps you'll give me a tip.

Yes, all right.

I'll show you one I'm very fond of.

Are you a gambling man?

- On occasion, yes.

- I will bet you the secret of the orange tree...

that I can guess which hand

you place this in every time.

Excellent.

Put it in your fist, raise your hand

against your forehead...

concentrate on it,

form a mental picture.

- Yes.

- Have you got it?

- Yes.

- Put your hands in front of you.

It's in your left.

- Well-

- A lucky guess, perhaps.

You have a confederate

who signals you.

- No. It's more primitive than that.

- Uh-huh.

When you raise your hand to your head,

the blood drains from it.

It will be paler every time.

Oh. Oh, I like that very much.

Please take it with my compliments.

Why, thank you.

Eh, the blood drains.

Now, Inspector...

if you don't mind, I've got to prepare

for tonight's performance.

Ah.

Please stand for His Imperial Highness...

Crown Prince Leopold.

I thought we might end this evening

with a discussion of the soul.

All of the greatest religions...

speak of the soul's endurance

beyond the end of life.

So, what then

does it mean... to die?

I need a volunteer

from the audience.

Someone not afraid of death.

Please, someone?

I assure you,

no tragedy will befall you.

It's an honor, Duchess von Teschen.

Do you know me?

No.

You're quite certain

that we've never met before?

Yes, of course.

Now please gaze

directly into my eyes.

Look nowhere else.

Wave to yourself.

Turn in a circle.

Now bow to yourself.

Away.

They must have liked you. They've

waited for you nearly five minutes.

Your Highness, may I introduce

Eisenheim the Illusionist?

- Well done.

- Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoyed it.

Oh, we more than enjoyed it.

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