Sorcerer’s Apprentice Episode Two

"There can be only one apprentice"

Max Somerset And Barney
After the previous days excitement, the students are assembled in the hall and informed that today they will be instructed in the art of vanishes and productions. To demonstrate the point Max produces a bunch of flowers and a dove. He then proceeds to perform the old classic “vanishing bird-cage” routine after being handed the small cage, complete with rubber budgie, from Siegfried the butler. As expected he is surrounded by the children and vanishes the bird-cage right before their eyes. The students are led out to the courtyard where Mr Knight and Miss Evans (plus a canary and a Saint Bernard) are produced from an empty cage.

After being split into girls and boys, the teachers then demonstrate the tricks the apprentices are required to learn ready for a performance the following day. The boys are taught a coin vanish using a pencil, length of invisible thread and a magnet; whereas the girls learn about producing lemons and limes from a mat (again using invisible thread).

After lunch is produced in front of the children from a series of dove pans, Max Somerset sets the tone warning there “can be only one apprentice”.

The following morning after breaking the rules the previous evening by entering the girls dormitory, and then ignoring house mistress Miss Ford, Harvey gets sent to the Sorcerer’s office for a reprimand. He is punished by having to spend most of the day with Mr Greenhalgh contemplating his behaviour, and more critically missing practice time and the morning lessons. These consist of being taught the art of misdirection through demonstrations of pickpocketing and the “throw paper over your head” vanish.

After lunch Harvey returns and the students are required to perform their tricks in front of Max, Tariq and Sophie. The performances are far from polished with only Tomos and Rebecca actually successfully performing the tricks. This resorted in the girls winning the first challenge 460 to 289 out of a maximum of 700 points. Much improvement will be required if the students are to succeed.