After getting off the subway, it was a few minutes walk to reach the Hamilton House Orphanage. It was easy to spot, as the quaint old-style building took up its own block. The structure, made of brick and stone, looked like a warehouse that had been refurbished.

Loki and I walked up to the front door.

"Here we go," I said, as Loki opened the door, and we entered the building.

We seemed to be within an enclosed foyer. A short distance away there was a wicket, reminiscent of a ticket window, with someone sitting behind the plexiglass. A sign hung above it that read 'ALL VISITORS MUST REPORT HERE.'

Approaching the wicket, we found the person sitting behind it was a middle-aged man, who was sporting a pleasant expression.

"Hello," he greeted. "How can I help you?"

"Hope you can," I said with a smile. "We have an appointment to see Ruth Gallagher. It's under the name Beverlee. She scheduled us for two o'clock."

"Let me see," the man looked at some papers. "Ah, there you are." He grabbed a pen and scribbled something on the sheet. From a drawer we couldn't see, he pulled out two badges with lanyards that said "VISITOR," then pushed them out to us in the small tray at the bottom of the wicket.

"Please put these on. When you are departing for the day, please return them back here." He pointed to a door on our left. "I'll buzz you in now, and let Ruth know you've arrived. Please take a seat in the waiting area. She will see you shortly."

Lanyards now around our necks, and the door buzzing, we said thank you to the man behind the wicket, then opened the door to enter the reception area.

As reception areas went, this wasn't a bad one; the walls were painted in a warm tone of white, the floor was a varathaned walnut-coloured hardwood, and there were plenty of chairs along with little tables that held the customary magazines. There was no reception desk, as the man we met in the foyer seemed to have taken on those duties.

At the moment, we were the only ones sitting in reception.

"I hope she likes what we do," Loki said, looking at me with anticipation. "I haven't auditioned for a long time."

"Well, let's hope it's what she's looking for," I touched his arm, and gave him a smile. "But I suspect you'll blow her away nonetheless. Your skills are top-notch."

"Thank you, Beverlee," he smiled back, his hand patting my hand on his arm.

We had arrived a bit early, and although Loki and I could have continued talking to each other, the magazines on the table near us soon caught our attention. We looked at each other and could see we both wanted to partake in the usual custom of what one does in a waiting area.

I chose an entertainment and TV magazine, while Loki chose one related to fashion. Mine featured an interview with Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, about his time doing USO shows during the 1940s. After reading it, I glanced over and noticed Loki looking at an article that was a photoshoot featuring Tony Stark...

Leaning in close, I declared, "I believe you'd wear that better than him." It made Loki look up from the magazine, and he gave me a small smile. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," he replied, a determined expression on his face. "We really need to get this gig, Beverlee, I need to, I have to..."

"Hey," I said, slipping my arm around him, "this isn't the same situation when I was trying to decide whether I wanted to do a lope. I want this just as much as you do, especially for your sake, but don't forget, you're already doing something special." I looked him in the eyes, "if we don't get this, nothing changes. You are no less the person that you were when we walked into this building. In fact, you're more, because you made the attempt - something not many people would do." I pointed to the magazine, "you don't have to prove yourself to anyone anymore, let alone this guy."

Glistening moisture appeared in Loki's eyes. He grasped my hand, and kissed the back of it, gazing at me with affection, "oh, Bev-"

" - Beverlee."

Loki had been interrupted by someone else saying my name.

Both of us turned toward the voice.

It was a woman dressed in business casual clothes, with dark hair in a bun wearing glasses.

"Hello, there," she said, extending her hand. "I'm Ruth Gallagher. Pleased to meet you both."

****
Ruth led us to her office and gestured for us to sit down in the two chairs in front of her desk. Sitting down in her own behind it, she pulled out some papers from a drawer, a pen from a cup, then said, "so you're here to audition for our Winter Holiday Party. Well, first let me tell you a little about this place. It's the oldest and one of the few remaining orphanages left in New York. Even as modern times approached, the family who are the founders of Hamilton House still knew the value of such facilities and did not want to close down in order for any of their current or future wards to be transferred only to get lost in the system or fall through the cracks of it. While the family are still a generous supporter, they cannot pay for everything, so we constantly need to seek sponsorship and fundraising to be able to maintain our facilities, and give our wards every opportunity for a better quality of life."

The phone on her desk began to ring.

"Excuse me," she chuckled. "I've been waiting for this call, won't be long." She picked up the phone. "Ruth Gallagher. Ah, so what do have for me? I said I wanted seventy-five, not fifty," she rolled her eyes. "No, I really need seventy-five! Okay, get back to me." Hanging up the phone, she then turned her attention back to us. "Where was I? Umm, right... This Winter Holiday Party we host is a time where we give back to those who have supported us - like suppliers, sponsors, volunteers and forever home parents. For a nominal fee, we offer a family-friendly catered event, a program with a variety of lively entertainment - that's where you'd come in - and of course," a warm smile appeared, "it's all very special to the children. After all, this event is for them." She looked at us closely, "I don't know about you two, but watching a child open a new present and seeing their eyes light up with joy, it's more heart-warming to me than any funny animal video on YouTube." Gallagher sighed, "sorry to sound like a seminar. So, I know you're Beverlee, and this handsome gentleman sitting beside you is..." she looked down at her paper, "sorry, in my haste I didn't write it down..."

I smiled, turned to my friend and gestured with my hand for him to begin.

"I'm Loki," he replied with a confident smile.

"Loki..? No last name?"

"Just Loki. Like Adele, Moby, Raffi."

"Ah. Beverlee tells me you've got skills in magic and illusions?"

"Yes, I do. I've prepared a little demonstration," Loki said, and turned to look at me. "With Beverlee as my lovely assistant."

"I look forward to that," Gallagher said, grinning at us both. "But before you do, please tell me a little about yourself. What do you do for a living and what got you into magic?"

"I'm... in Special Ops," Loki began. "So I can't tell you much more than that. As for magic," he continued, with a fond smile, "my mother got me a magic set when I turned six... and the rest is history."

"Have you ever performed in public before?"

"Yes. But it's been a while due to my work... the last place I performed was a couple of months ago at a venue where I was stationed with my unit."

"How long have you and Beverlee been together?"

"Not long enough," Loki said softly, looking at me. "And I have a feeling it never will be."

"Oh, Loki," I blushed then turned to Gallagher. "He's quite the charmer, as you can see."

"Indeed," Gallagher said, looking amused. "As you know from this event, obviously the focus is on children. Forgive me for asking, but I'm required to do so. Are you both comfortable around children?"

"No worries and we can appreciate you having to ask that," I replied. "I'm sure you get those who think they can just do their act without having any interaction with kids, but considering what this establishment is..."

"I know, right?" Gallagher said. "You would be surprised how many we find that are self-serving and lie, just so they can use our event to be noticed."

"That's awful," I remarked. "Well let me tell you, Loki and I are comfortable around children. I used to babysit a few of my mother's friend's kids, so I have some experience in the area. And," looking  at my friend with a sweet smile, "we've recently had interactions with some children yesterday."

Loki regaled to Gallagher about our experience in the diner with the crying child, where we met Alice, and then when we met Abigail who had been lost in the corn maze.

While Loki had a silver tongue and could have taken this moment to use it during this time, I noticed by the way he was speaking to this administrator, he wasn't doing that at all. He was speaking very naturally, in a casual tone. We knew Gallagher had been around in this industry for a while, and after what she had just said, perhaps Loki knew the best strategy would just be himself? Whether that strategy came from the heart or a place of desperation to get this gig, his motivations were to be applauded.

When he finished, it seemed to have the desired effect. The stories had put a smile on Gallagher's face.

"Loki, from what you've told me, with what you do for a living," Gallagher said, "and knowing that December is quite some time away... How do I know you won't be shipped off with your unit sent to who knows where let alone be back in time for the event?"

Loki gave Gallagher a soulful look. "Trust me, no matter what happens between now and then, I... we... will both be there."

The expression on Ruth's face clearly showed she was not convinced.

"Look," I said, looking at Loki, then turning to Gallagher. "I know we've just met, and you don't know us from a hole in the ground, but, if Loki says he's going to do something... you can bet your reputation on that. We understand how important this event is to you and the establishment, but please know it's important to us too... in ways, you couldn't possibly imagine."

"I can imagine quite a bit," Gallagher said. "Many donate their time and money to this place as a means to deal with their childhood issues."

Loki and I looked at each other, both of us caught off-guard by that statement.

"You're not the only ones," Gallagher confirmed what we were thinking.

"Then... because of that," I attempted to confirm, "you... understand what we've said?"

"Of course I do... because I'm one of them as well," Gallagher replied matter-of-factly. She took a deep breath, "come on, it's time to show me your demonstration." Then with a wry smile said, "if I like what I see, you both have to just fill out some paperwork before you leave."

"Well," I said, "for this to be an effective demonstration, we need the room to be darker. We'll need to pull down the blinds and dim the lights."

"Allow me," Loki said, waving his hand in a specific way.

'Magically,' blinds were pulled down and the light switch was toggled from on to off, leaving the room in an adequate amount of darkness.

"Oh, I like this already!" Gallagher said with anticipation.

Looking at me with a sweet smile, Loki touched my arm, "this is like Room thirty-six all over again. Let's do this!"

His excitement was contagious!

"Let's!"

Standing from our chairs, we moved them back to give us some room. Pulling out my smartphone, both of us got into the proper starting position. Turning up the volume, I started a song from the playlist app, then we gave a fully committed and energetic performance - tripping the light fantastic with illusion.

Once we were done...

"I've never seen ANYTHING like that... ever," Gallagher said, looking astonished. "I hope your magic can also turn the lights back on and raise that blind. I'll need you both to fill out some paperwork and tell you what's involved to be in the variety show."

"Really?" Loki asked his voice calm, but with an air of excitement.

"Really," Gallagher confirmed in a reverent tone.

Loki turned to me, and his hand moved up to cup my cheek, "we did it," he whispered. Even in the slight darkness of the room, I could see the elated expression on his face.

"Yes, we did," I whispered back, with a smile that was equally elated.

"Guys?" Gallagher interjected, pointing to the ceiling. "Umm, lights?"

"Oh, right," Loki said. With a wave of his hand again, but in a slightly different way, the blind went up and the lights toggled back to the on position - even the chairs were brought back to the desk.

As the lights came on, I could see Loki's blue-green eyes were shining so bright. It warmed my heart to see him so happy.

So this is what it feels like, I thought, being in the right place at the right time...

Bloody marvellous.

After filling out the paperwork, the rest didn't take very long. Gallagher explained where our placement would be in the show. We would be last - as in best for last. None of the audience would be expecting such a performance to wrap up the night! At first, we were a little concerned to get that slot, thinking some of the audience may decide to leave early, but she assured us that those who regularly attended these events stuck around because they knew the last act always ended things on a high note.

Talk about no pressure!

She continued to tell us that once they had all the acts they needed, a rehearsal would set up to make sure the show ran exactly for the time allotted, and another one the day of the show - the twenty-first of December. Gallagher would contact us to let us know when that first rehearsal was, but other than that, all we had to do would be to practice and keep her informed if anything about our availability changed.

Handing back our visitor badges, we left the building - still feeling the excitement from getting this gig.

We were well on our way, to get back to the subway station. But after a few minutes, Loki stopped walking and sat on the edge of a long rectangular brick planter that had an arrangement of large green shrubs.

"Loki, are you all right?" I asked.

He took my hand and pulled me to sit beside him, "I'm okay... I... just had to sit down and think about what just happened."

"I understand... I'm still trying to process it," I said, then leaned against him playfully, "but we should know when it comes to us there ain't no competition."

Loki smiled in amusement, "true, you were right that she would be impressed with our routine, but that's not what's bothering me." He looked at me with concern, "Beverlee, she didn't know who I was. When we were on the subway going to the farm, I could sense certain feelings and emotions from those who were staring at us... but with her, I sensed... nothing. It was strange, to say the least, to be treated... fairly... from someone other than you."

"That's a good point," I said, thinking. "I mean, as rare as the percentage would be, there are some who are ignorant of the news or maybe there were some special circumstances? And keep in mind, as I said before, everybody looks like somebody else." I took his hand, "it felt good though, didn't it?"

"Yes," Loki smiled to himself.

"I hope to see more of that for you as time progresses."

"I do as well, but don't you understand... what if her lack of knowledge about me somehow puts her career and even the event in jeopardy?"

"Hey, today you were judged on your own merit without any bias," I replied. "Considering the rarity of that even happening, I consider that a good sign. Think about it, Ruth told us the people who attend these events are pretty seasoned. They know she wouldn't put her audience or the kids in any danger. Those people may initially think you are who you are, but then again, maybe they'll just think you might be a very good impersonator or cosplayer?" Seeing there was still concern on Loki's face, "it's okay. Remember, dealing with twists and turns is our speciality..." I gave his hand a gentle squeeze, "come on, let's get some ice cream to celebrate this moment."

"If you don't mind," Loki said, with a small smile, "could we... go for gelati instead?"

"Is someone trying to be a diva?" I chuckled.

"Trying?" Loki mock-scoffed then winked at me.