The Magician stepped behind her and the table. "Sorry, Meili, like I said, it's too late to back out now!" He positioned the saw between the rods, over her head. "Now, like I said, please try to hold very still." Eyes wide, she stopped moving. The Magician began to draw the saw blade back and forth. Meili grabbed the table with both hands, and shut her eyes tightly. The saw's sharp teeth cut swiftly and deeply, and soon it was between those eyes. The Magician kept cutting, and the steel had soon bisected her nose. He paused. "The worst part's over, Meili. You can take a look, if you want."
The asian girl opened her eyes, looked around, and immediately tried to look at the half a saw blade extending from her face. The audience laughed as her eyes crossed. The Magician began cutting again, and the blade decended, until it finally rested even with the table. The crowd began to applaud- then the Magician pulled out two thin sheets of glass, and slid them down the guide rods on either side of the saw, separating Meili's head into two halves. She blinked. The Magician slid the saw from between them, and placed it against her neck, then with three swift pulls, cut completely through. He slid two thin blades into the new cut, and carefully pulled each half of her severed head towards opposite sides of the table. The Magician opened the table, placing a collar over Meili's neck. She immediately reached to feel where her head had been. The eye on each half of her head opened wide in surprise. The Magician helped her stand, twirled her around. He waved offstage and the red-headed assistant came out. "Robyn, could you please help Meili back to her seat... Her body, at least."
He picked up one half of her head, and turned it around, showing it from all sides. Gasps of amazement turned into thunderous applauds. He smiled and handed the half to someone sitting in the front row, then gave the other half to someone on the other side of the audience. "Keep those safe, please. I'll need them later- and so will she."
The Magician turned to the audience. "As promised, she's watching the performance in a way no one ever has before! Meili, ladies, and gentlemen, enjoy the show!"
The audience came to their feet applauding as the lights shifted and the Magician began his next illusion.
(To be continued...)