As a child, Ace had big dreams.

Dreams so big, they were more vast than the expanse of space.

His uncle used to tell him stories of his youth, how imaginative he was, how he used to have stars in his eyes like the glow-in-the-dark ceiling stickers that are still stuck up in his childhood bedroom.

Uncle would say that he was a rambunctious little fellow, but at some point, he had to wake up. Sure, his dreams were shaken away from him rudely, suddenly, at the age of 14, but 14 was man enough.

To tell you the truth, Ace didn’t think he was a unrealistic dreamer, he didn’t wanna be an astronaut or superstar, didn’t wanna be a movie star or pastry maker, not with his limited skills.

All he wanted was to be a magician.

Before his parents disappeared, no one ever told him where to or if they were still alive, he was taken to see a magic show.

It was the same old song and dance for kids his age, at least at that point in time; doves in hats, kerchiefs pulled endlessly from pockets, deck cutting, simple stuff dumb kids can’t see through.

But for Ace, oh, it was so beautiful.

It was an experience he would never forget. The magician had this air to him, like he didn’t care for his rinse-and-repeat routine, but still cared about the impact he had on his audience.

He’d smile with a flourish, bow as if the air around him split like a twig parting rushing rivulets of a small puddle, and performed his tricks as if it was as natural as breathing.

He seemed at home, despite how dull his act was to him. Ace wanted to be just like the magician, standing beneath the lights and telling a tale with his hands.

It took skill to manipulate the human eye with just your hands, to be swift and nimble like songbirds in the breeze only for tucking a card in your pocket away from watchful eyes.

He’s an adult now, he has an apartment and a job. He’s too old to be dreaming of being a magician. He’s gotta be a function member of society now, just like his uncle said.

Magicians aren’t real, not really, and a couple of smiles can’t pay Ace’s bills. To be the best he can be, he’s gotta work hard, and the hardest work he can do is be a lawyer, right?

It’s… not too different from being a magician anyway. Hopefully.