As night fell in the forest, Houdini the rabbit sat shivering in the underbrush, contemplating irony.

Having been a magician's rabbit for as long as he could remember, he knew all about his namesake. Houdini the man could get himself out of any cage. Houdini the rabbit, however, had wanted nothing more than to stay in his cage and arrive safely at the next show. But then they'd stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, and his cage fell out of the van while The Great Garbanzo (or whatever he was calling himself this week) was adjusting the trunks full of props. And then everything was glaring lights and honking horns and gas fumes choking him, and all he could do was run. By the time his heart showed to its usual rate and he could think again, he was here in the darkening woods, with no idea how to get back.

Something rustled in the darkness.

Houdini shrank further into the brush and froze. He'd never been in a forest in the daytime, let alone at night. His white fur was probably shining as bright as the full moon--as bright as the eyes that were suddenly fixed on his, and the glittering sharp white teeth below.

"Hello," the fox said, and smiled. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"

"I've had better," Houdini said.

"Sorry to hear that." The fox's voice rippled smooth as a silk scarf. "Not from around these parts, are you? I'd remember you."

"I'm only passing through."

"Oh, now, that's a shame. I'd love you to stay for dinner." Again the bright eyes, the sharp white teeth.

"I'm afraid I have other plans. I have a show to get to."

"A show, eh? Fancy that." The fox walked a slow circle around him.

Houdini fought the impulse to run. He didn't know this country well, and the fox did. No doubt it would be at his throat with the first leap.

"I could give you a taste, if you like," Houdini offered, then winced at his choice of words.

The fox grinned. "Haven't had dinner and a show in a long time." He came close enough that Houdini could smell old blood on his breath. "Mind you be quick about it, though. I'm a tough critic."

Houdini's paws shook a bit as he sought out a fresh leaf, a round stone, and a smooth, straight twig. He nibbled the end of the twig to get it just the right length.

"All right, watch this." Houdini placed the stone on the ground and covered it with the leaf. "Now we need a magic word."

The fox scratched behind one ear. "I've always been rather partial to ala-kazaam, myself."

"Perfect." Houdini waved one paw slowly over the leaf. With the other paw, he picked up the twig--just the right size and shape for a wand--and tapped the fox sharply on the head. "Ala-kazaam!"

The fox disappeared in a puff of purple smoke. When it cleared, a little gray mouse sat in the same spot, sniffing the air, its whiskers twitching.

"There," Houdini said, tossing the smoking twig aside. "That's better."

Just as he finished speaking, a white owl swooped down, snatched up the mouse, and carried it back to a nearby branch. The mouse went down in one gulp.

The owl swallowed again. "That tasted... odd." Then he cocked his head at Houdini. "Boss has been looking everywhere for you. How'd you wind up way out here?"

"Long story. He hasn't left yet, has he?"

Merlin preened. "Without us? Come now. I'd hate to see him try to do the show alone."

Houdini followed Merlin back to the van and hopped into his cage. The owl latched it behind him, then went into his own cage and latched that expertly from inside. By the time the boss saw them, it was as if they'd never left. The Great Garbanzo stared, then shrugged it off and loaded everything up again.

When you came right down to it, Houdini thought, humans were even sillier than foxes. Theirs, for example, still thought he was the one doing all the magic.

He snuggled into his shavings and smiled. Ah, well, let them have their illusions. It was all part of the show.

This work and all characters (c) 2011 Renee Carter Hall ("Poetigress"). May not be reprinted, reposted, or redistributed without permission. This story first appeared in the Anthrocon 2011 conbook.