Looking at the sky, I shrugged my shoulders.

Where have all of the magicians gone? It was the middle of Spring and the opening shows remained silent.

It was killing me as I was used to seeing an audience before me as I do my act.

And now as the curtains are opened, the seats in front of me were bare.

Since clumsy Sigmund mistakenly released the beast known as the Jabberwocky from a spell he created 'Bum, Bum, Jebub', all hell broke out. Chaos began, people ran away and many left towns for so many days.

But for me, Aldo Wright, extraordinaire, remained. Even if I'm the only magician left around to take on this task, to defeat this beast created by this man known as Lewis Carrol. I believe he is like a Dr. Frankenstein if you ask me, creating 'imaginary beings' out of nothing but a poem.

Yes, a poem, would you believe that? And it scared the heck out of people with his nonsensical words. I had to read it myself to understand and believe me it knocked my hat for hours on end, to comprehend what Carrol meant. For instance what exactly is a " mome wraths outgrabe"? Or even a "frumious Bandersnatch"? It's complete gibberish, I tell you!

Until I heard that the Jabberwocky still remained in town, armies and heroes of all kinds failed to kill the beast. Even the Mad Hatter lost his own hat to the Jabberwocky, could you believe that? And madness took over me, and soon I wanted in.

So, with my tuxedo, tails, top hat, gloves, spats, and cane, I walked through Pine Street with a cheesy smile on my face. I tried to remain calm, saying "Good day to all who passed by me, but I knew I had to take care of him. I had to be brave no matter how silly I felt.

I heard that the Mad Hatter said that only madness could defeat the Jabberwocky and so that's what I decided to do. Rereading the poem again, I stole the most valuable object that Jabberwocky would hate.

That is the Jubjub bird that was described. I pondered for days on what it might be and then as easy as pulling a 'rabbit out of my hat', it came to me. The dangerous bird lived in a narrow, dark, depressing and isolated valley. I traveled far and wide to find it, but to capture him was quite a task. The bird didn't take bribes as I had birdseed for him to eat, but the mention of the beast caused him to fly over to me.

So now we hatched a plan, as he sits in my top hat waiting for the Jabberwocky.

I found the beast in an alleyway, scrounging for food in the garbage. It is true what they say, he had eyes of flame, jaws that bite, and claws that catch. But he was no match for me, I took my top hat off and said the magic words "Abracadabra" allowing the bird to be free.

The battle between both was not a sight to see, but in an instant minute, it was over. Both the JubJub Bird and Jabberwocky have perished. O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

But what was left of them were nothing but specks of dirt; it was as if they had disintegrated. I decided to wipe the street clean before the police could stop me, so with magic, all was placed back in my hat.

Since I no longer wanted to be a magician after losing my friends, I decided to bury that hat. Not wanting the beasts inside to escape I also placed some mud inside to make sure they wouldn't escape.

And so that's the whole story of why there's a deep hole in the park Officer. I buried it.

"You're right Mr. Wright, I don't believe it, I believe you've grown mad as well!" Officer Smith replied as he half-way closed Aldo's car door.

He lowered my head so I wouldn't get hurt by the car's roof when I entered the vehicle. Then the officer asked me one last question - So where have all the other magicians gone?

And I just smiled as I glared at the evidence he had in his hand. He looked into my gleaming eyes and knew what my exact answer was. I did not need to say the words. So, yes I've gone mad!

And thus I was taken in for obstructing public property in the county jail.

(757 words)

Illustration found above is by John Tenniel