Mirrors

They do it with mirrors, or so they say. When I was young, my grandparents brought me to a magic show. The magician showed the crowd a box large enough for an adult to stand inside. My grandfather told me that there was a mirror in there. The magician asked for a volunteer and picked my grandmother. She went in and stood inside the box. I was hoping she wouldn't sing one of her opera songs. Watch it lad, my grandfather told me, when they close the door, they'll move the mirror. The magician made some elaborate gestures and opened the door. The box was empty but we all could hear my grandmother sing. The magician's doing it, he said, it's a very good imitation. Another elaborate hand gesture followed and the box just collapsed to splinters, but we could still hear the singing. They moved her out before, he said. But he seemed more uncertain. After numerous other tricks, the show ended. We waited for my grandmother but she did not reappear. My grandfather cornered the staff, but they mumbled some excuses and walked away. I never saw my grandmother ever again.