Rory Hennessy is firmly rooted in reality.  In some ways, far too much so for a thirteen-year-old boy, but that's sometimes what happens when it's just a boy, his mom, and his little sister.  Regardless, Rory has always been able to see through and explain magic tricks.  So in the interest of not spoiling his sister Bridget's ninth birthday party, Rory is avoiding the magician she insisted on having.  The magician, however, is intent on Rory's participation.  The result is a trick that Rory can't begin to explain or understand, and a cryptic message about Rory being in danger.