[RACHEL02189]

At the Luxor Criss was working on a disappearing illusion in his theater while JD, his intern Jessie, and Doug were going through the mail. "Let's see junk, fan mail, letter from mom. Hey Criss may of all ready won a million dollars from plusher clearing house" JD remarked as Jesse and Doug laughed. Then Jessie came upon an envelope with a top hat, a magic wand, and a rabbit coming out of it on it. "This is strange it has no return address but it's address to Christopher Nicholas Sarantakos" she replied. JD lifted it up to the light but couldn't see through it. Doug took a look at it. "It smells old like it's been a drawer from thirty years and they just decided to mail it out this decade"Doug stated. Jessie got up and brought it to Criss. In Believe Criss was helping some of his crew clean up. "Hey Criss!!," she called out.

Criss got off the stage and walked up to her. "Hey Angel I thought you should see this it came for you today" giving him the envelope. Criss took one look at it and went over to the stage. "What is it?". "I've seen this before. I got one of these a few days before my dad passed away. It was invitation for a competition they do over seas. They gather all the best magicians in the world to find out who's number one. I declined it because of my dad I guess the competition is starting up again" as he opened it. He was right it was the same invitation he got before this time it was being held in Scotland. "Wow Criss this is like getting a letter from the pope or the president. Are you going to take the invite" she asked. "I don't know if I can find the time since I’m in preproduction with Mindfreak and doing Believe. I'm surprise I find time to eat or sleep" Criss remarked putting the invite back into the envelope. "Maybe if you talk to Felix he'll give you the time for this. Look you gave up this invite once because of your father why don't you go and do for your father". "I'll think about it"Criss remarked and put the envelope in his back pocket.

[RACHEL02189]

As the day went on Criss kept thinking of the invite and wondered if he should take it. "Hey Christopher" a voice called out. He looked up and saw his brothers walking over. "What's up JD". "Well we're going out for some drinks you want to go?" he asked. "Nah I think I'll catch up on my sleep" Criss replied. "All right" and left. Upstairs Criss was heading towards his room when he heard crying. He went over to the door and knocked on it. "Jessie open up" he called out. She opened the door with tears marks on her face. "You had that dream again didn't you". She nodded as Criss came in. "Was the same or was it different this time". Jessie sat down. "The same I was in the dome in New Orleans as the storm got worse and worse. Everyone panicking than this huge wave came in and I watched it take away my mom and grandmother" she replied wiping the tears away. Criss gave her hug.

He hated seeing Jessie hurt even thou Hurricane Katrina was seven years ago in August to the survivors it felt like yesterday. "Do you want me to bunk here tonight?" Criss asked. "No I'm fine you just go to your suite and if I need you I'll call you" she assured him. "All right". He gave Jessie one more hug and left. The next day Criss was in a meeting. "All right now I have an interview at noon than we'll start filming some stuff for Mindfreak". They all left as JD stayed behind. "I talked to Jessie before she left for school she told me about the invite to that competition" he stated. Criss took the invite out of the drawer and showed it to JD. "Do you think I can win or maybe come in second” Criss joked as JD snickered. "Criss everyone who knows you or has seen your work knows how great you are with magic. I think you could possible win" JD replied. "Did I ever tell you that I got invited to this once but it was a few days before dad passed away" Criss admitted twiddling his fingers. "Maybe this is dad's way of saying take it since you gave it up once" JD replied looking at him. "Well if I do I can't leave Jessie here by herself".

"Criss you're her guardian you can bring her or let me or Costa watch her". "Well let me find out when this competition starts and if it's during school vacation I'll bring her along and if not Dimi has a bunk mate give or take". "Great I'll be outnumbered three to one" JD replied. JD gave back the invitation as Criss laughed.

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A week passed and Criss was doing an interview for a Las Vegas magazine as Jessie was working at the warehouse. "So Criss tell me how did Jessie come into her life?" the reporter asked. "Well her grandmother was a friend of my mom and she would take care of me and my brother when we were young before she moves to New Orleans. After Katarina hit we heard she passed away it was like when I lost my dad but after everything was figured out they found her will. It said that since she was the only family her granddaughter had she asked us to raise her, so after talking to my family and Jessie I became her guardian" Criss replied. "That's nice of you Criss". Criss blushed.

During the interview Jessie was organizing when a knock came to the door. Jessie went to the door and standing there were two guys that Jessie had never seen before. "Can I help you?" she asked. "Yes we're looking for Christopher Sarantakos?". "Hold on please," she replied and went to his office. The reporter was coming out as Jessie walked over. "Criss there's two guys outside that want to talk to you". Criss went to the door with the reporter and Jessie. The two guys were talking. "I don't think this guy is right for this competition" bone of them muttered to the other. "Maxual this guy is the hottest thing in Las Vegas so that's give him a chance" the guy replied. The door opened and Criss walked the reporter to her car and she left. "May I help you guys?" he asked walking over.

"Yes we're here from the magician competition to do an interview. We do it to all the competors". "All right please come in" and they went in. "So Angel it says that you've been doing magic since you were eight years old". "Yup" he stated. Then Jessie walked over. "Criss Gerard is on line one and your mom is on line two"she remarked. "Excuse me" and Criss went into his office. "Interview the girl" Max whispered and they separated. The other guy went to the office where Criss was on the phone with his mom. "All right mom I understand we'll see you soon and send me the bill" and hung up and took Gerard. "Yea Gerard fourth door the folder is called Believe" and hung up. "I see you took your mom's call first". "Yea in my list of life family comes first that magic"Criss replied. While the other guy talked to Criss Max was talking to Jessie. "So how long have you worked for Angel?". "I don't work for Criss I volunteer my help after school and on the weekend" she replied. "How old are you?". "I just turned sixteen Criss threw me a cool sweet sixteen party at Circus Circus".

"Does your mom work for Angel?". "My family is gone" she remarked. "Sorry so Criss watches over you?". "He's my guardian I live at The Luxor on his floor so I can have my privacy" I remarked. "Really". After they talked to Criss and Jessie they went outside. "So what do you think?"Max inquired. "The guy puts family first. His brothers and a cousin work for me when did you see that"he stated. "And the teenager Criss is her guardian this guy is coming to Scotland" and they left.

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A few days had passed and Criss was doing a demonstration on Freemont Street while Jessie was studying for a math quiz in the production office. She looked up and saw one of the guys that she talked to a couple of days ago. When Criss got back he saw a crowd so they walked over. In the middle of the crowd was the guy that Criss talked to levitating Jessie. After he finished He took Jessie out of the trance. Criss and JD walked over. When Jessie came out she felt like her legs were jello and was about to fall but JD got her and sat her down. "All right now what the hell is going on here?"Criss asked. He said nothing and gave Criss a envelope than the guy snapped his fingers and he was gone.

"How did he do that?"a little kid asked Criss. "You're guess is as good as mine" and went over to Jessie. "You all right?"Criss asked. "Yea it was strange Criss I turned my head and I saw him just starring at me. I felt like I had to come to him like I had no free will" she replied.

"What did he give you?". Criss opened the envelope and it said:

CONGRAULATION YOU'VE MADE IT TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMPETITON PLEASE BE IN SCOTLAND BY THE END OF THE MONTH OR YOU'LL BE ELIMATED FROM THE COMPETITION

"I got to talk to Felix about this" and Criss went to find Felix as JD brought Jessie upstairs. Criss found Felix talking with *CT. "Felix I got to ask you something?"Criss asked walking over. "Before you say anything I heard about the magic competition and I think you should go"Felix replied. Criss was sort of taken back by it. He honestly thought Felix would say no to it. "What about Believe?"Criss asked. "Don't worry about it Christopher just win the competition" and Felix left. "Is he on something?"Criss asked CT. "Criss I may not be a magician but this competition is a once and lifetime opportunity. You're going against people in every continent China, Japan, Scotland, Switzerland, Canada, England. It like the Olympics for magician but the winner doesn't get a medal they get the title of being the number one magician in the world"CT replied. Criss now understood why Felix gave him the time for it. It would boost Criss's carrier but also The revenue for Believe and The Luxor.

*Just to let you know CT is Carrot Top

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After Criss finished Believe he went upstairs to talk to Jessie. In her room Jessie was putting away some stuff when a knock came to the door. "Who is it?" she called out. "It's Criss let me in" so she did. "What's up Christopher" she asked as Criss came in. "Well I wanted to talk to you about the competition I'm in" sitting on the bed. "Let me guess you don't want me to come and I'll be staying with JD"she remarked sitting next to him. "Actually I want you to come with me. You can be my helper" he stated smiling. "But I don't have a passport Criss". With a flick of the wrist he may one appear. Jessie chuckled as she took it. "We're leaving early in the morning so be ready"Criss said and left. Jessie smiled and started to jump up and down on the bed trying not to scream. Outside Criss could tell what she was doing and smiled. The next morning Criss and Jessie were getting ready to leave as JD came in. "So you ready to go to Scotland?" JD asked.

"You bet you I'm even going to document it for school maybe get extra credit in Geography or Social Studies"Jessie replied. They all got into the car and went to the airport. "I talked to Doug last night everything got there safe and sound". "I'm shocked that Doug didn't kill me for having him go to Scotland with my magic stuff"Criss replied. "I talked to mom she wishes you good luck and can't wait to hear that you're the number one magician in the world"JD remarked. "She'll be the first one I call"Criss replied. When they got to the airport Criss gave his brother a hug. "Be careful I don't want to hear you got hurt or got into trouble with the law in Scotland"JD stated. "I'll make sure he doesn't"Jessie replied. They grabbed their luggage and went inside to catch their flight to Scotland.

When they got to the hotel in Scotland Criss joked it looked like a magician convention. Jessie laughed. "Hey Mindfreak" a voice called out. Criss turned and saw Doug. "Hey Doug how was the trip?" he asked. "Not bad if you include being stuck in coach with a Costa snoring on one side and a baby screaming its lungs out on the other. After that I want a raise" and he walked off. Criss snickered. "Christopher you put Doug and your brother in coach on purpose" she said. "Don't worry Jesse on the ride back I upgraded them to first class". "You better be careful Criss they made put you in coach on the way back" she reminded him.

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All of a sudden the crowd started to go scramble to the entrance. Criss and Jessie walked as a woman who had an entourage fit for a Mariah Carey. She had the face of a godness and the figure that put fashion models to shame. "Who is that?"Jessie asked one of the magician. "That's Maryse she's from France and she's won this competition three year running"a man with a bit of an Irish accent told her. "Wow she's beautiful she should be a model not a magician"Criss remarked. Jessie could tell Criss was entranced. "Criss stop drooling and close your mouth before the birds make a nest in your mouth" she replied.

"Bonjour mes fans heureux d'être de retour" (Hello my fans happy to be back) she said. "Anybody know French"Criss called out. The crowd snickered as Mayrse saw Criss. She walked over to Criss and Jessie. "Eh bien n'est-il pas le célèbre Las Vegas magicien Criss Angel" (Well isn't it the famous Las Vegas magician Criss Angel) she remarked. "Nice to meet you Mayrse" Criss remarked shaking her hand. "Que diriez-vous nous apprenons à connaître eachother dans ma chambre d'hôtel M. Angel et vous pouvez laisser votre fille avec une gardienne" (How about we get to know eachother in my hotel room Mr Angel and you can leave your daughter with a sitter). Jessie butted in. "Excusez moi j'ai 16 ans et pourquoi Criss voudrait faire connaissance avec une femme qui utilise son apparence plutôt que son talent pour gagner cette competition" (Excuse me I'm sixteen and why would Criss want to get to know a woman who uses her looks instead of her talent to win this competition) she replied.

"Pourquoi vous brat peu comment vous osez m'insulter. Quand je gagne ce nouveau peuple dirons Criss qui". (Why you little brat how dare you insult me. When I win this again people will be saying Criss who). Mayrse walked off in a huff. Criss looked at Jessie like she was levitating. "What some people in Louisiana speak French Criss" she replied. "Remind me to keep you around when I near Mayrse that woman is pure vemon" as they went to their rooms. When they got to their rooms there was a notice saying there was a dinner and all must attend. Be dress nice. That night Criss and Jessie went down to the dining area and saw a table that had a sign that said MINDFREAK (LAS VEGAS). At the table was Costa, Doug, Banachek, and John.

"Wow Jessie you look good"Doug remarked. "Like a princess" Criss replied. Then Mayrse came with a dress that was a little too revealing. "That reminds me of JLO's dress at the Grammies a few years back" Costa remarked. "I'd stay away from her bro she's hussy" Criss stated. Then a guy came over. "You must be Criss Angel I'm Conner Mclead from Ireland it's an honor to meet an idol of mine". "How long have you been doing magic?"Criss asked. "For ten year off and on but when they started to showing MindFreak in Dublin it just started me up with magic and thanks to you I've come in first for my card tricks and Levitation I even made my cow Samual levitate" he stated. "Wow that awesome Connor can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve this time" Criss remarked shaking his hand. "Thank you" and he went back to his table.

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*THIS IS A REAL MAGICIAN FROM SPAIN


After dinner three people walked on the stage. "That's David Blane"Jesse stated. "And that's Jeff McBride he did that trail by fire with me"Criss added. "Is that Copperfield?"Costa inquired. "We would all like to thank you for coming to this competition this year" David remarked. "I see some old faces and some new ones too. This competition will start tomorrow starting with several contest starting with Mentalism than onto the Old school New school illusions" Copperfield replied. "As you can tell we will be the judges this year but we have invited another magician here to help because two of us know one of our new competitor Criss Angel" Blane stated. A man about five feet came over and shook the judges hands. "This is master magician *Mr. Yoke from Spain"Blane replied. "Solo quiero decir que voy a juzgar a todo el mundo lo más justo posible muchas gracias” (Thank you I just want to say that I will judge everyone as fair as possible).

After introduction Criss and Jessie were heading upstairs as his brother and Doug went to mingle. "So what do you think of the competition?". "I think that guy from the Ukraine will be a challenge in the levitation part but I may take the old school new school competition". "What does that mean?"she inquired. "Well it means that we take an old school trick like cutting someone in half and put a spin on it" Criss explained. "Like you do with the 'cutting board'" Jessie said realizing what he meant. "But if I get to the final I have no clue how to amp it up" he replied. "Well let's just get through this all right" and they went to their rooms. The next day Jessie went to go see some of the levitation competition. When she went to one she saw Doug was there. "Doug what are you doing here?" she asked. "I wanted to see they say this guy is good". "Where's Criss?" she asked. "Outside I think" and they left. When they got outside Mr. Yoke and Copperfield were outside. Up on the roof Criss was getting ready. "You ready?" Costa asked. "Yea I'm just a little nervous" Criss remarked rubbing his hands together.

"Why you did this levitation like four years ago?" Costa replied. "Yea but I wasn't being judge for it"Criss remarked. With out warning Criss put his hand over his mouth and ran over behind some air conditioning equipment as Doug came out onto the roof. "What's up with Criss?" he asked. "He's nervous" and I don't blame him"Costa replied. "Well look over at the other building I thought I'd give Criss some courage"Doug remarked. On the other side was Jessie. Criss came back wiping his mouth. "I don't even remember eating half the stuff I just threw up"Criss stated as Doug gave him some water. "Don't worry Criss look on the other side". Criss looked and saw Jessie standing there with the judges. Criss smiled as he got ready. "ARE YOU READY??" Criss yelled. The crowd cheered as Criss started to levitate. Criss was about half way there as Jessie cheered. When Criss got to the other side the crowd and Jessie cheered with delight. Criss put his hand on his knees as Jessie walked over. "That was awesome Criss". Criss took a bow as the judges left.

[RACHEL02189]

When they came back off the roof a crowd started to cheer and crowd around Criss giving him pats on his back. When Criss came back in with Jessie he grabbed the side of the hotel door. "You all right Criss?"Doug asked. Criss looked up and he saw doubles all over the place. Jessie walked over as Criss started to gasp for air. "Criss what's wrong?". With out warning Criss fell to the floor. "Oh my god I need help please!!!"Jessie yelled as Criss just laid there. The paramedics came over and Doug pulled her over as they worked on Criss. Then Conner ran over when he heard about Criss. "What happened?" he asked. "I don't know Criss just finished his levitation as he came in he grabbed the side of the wall than Criss started to gasp for air as he fell to the ground" she remarked as tears fell down her face.

"Did his breath smell licorice?" Conner inquired. "Yea why?". Conner ran to the bar and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. The paramedics were about to tube him when Conner opened the whiskey and pour some down Criss's throat. A few seconds later Criss sit up and gasped for some air. The crowd cheered as Conner help Criss up. "You all right Mindfreak?"Conner asked. "Yea" as the paramedics left. Doug and Jessie walked over. "Conner what did you do?" Jessie inquired. "Someone gave Criss a poisonous flower that can cause double vision, slow heart rate, and stop breathing There's ingredient in whiskey that neutralize the plant's effect"Conner replied. "But how did the plant get into my system?"Criss asked. "Criss pull up your shirt for a minute"Conner inquired. Criss pulled it up as some of the women started to whistle which made Criss blush.

"All right Criss," and he pulled it down. "Someone injected it there's a needle mark under your rib cage". "Criss the crowd someone in the crowd must of stabbed you with out you realize it"Doug remarked. "But why would they do that?" Criss asked. "Because the rumors around this competition is that you could actually beat Maryse and be the number one magician"Conner replied.

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That night Criss and Jessie were having dinner when Mayrse came in and saw Criss sitting there. "Expérience de Christopher, je vois que vous avez survécu votre mort proche. Nerfs d'obtenir le meilleur d'entre vous" (Christopher I see you survived your near death experience. Nerves get the best of you) she stated. Criss said nothing as he took a drink so Maryse started to leave. "Ce qu'un egomatinic" (What an egomantic) Jessie remarked. Mayrse heard her and came back. "Qu'avez-vous appelez-moi petite fille?" (What did you call me little girl?) Mayrse asked.

Jessie got up and stared into her eyes. "Vous savez ce que j'ai dit. Je sais que je ne peux pas le prouver que vous avez essayé de posion Angel, mais vous mieux suivre vos gardes car Styling aller gagner et vous sera connu le deuxième meilleur magicien du monde" (You know what I said. I know I can't prove it that you tried to posion Angel, but you better keep your guard up because Angel's going to win and you will be known as the second best magician in the world). Mayrse walked off in a huff as Jessie sat back down. I really got to learn French Criss thought

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After Criss and Jessie had dinner Conner came over. "I just saw some of the results so far you got the highest marks for the levitation you did Criss". Criss looked happy. "What about Mayrse?"Jessie asked. "Well she got fourth place for levitation the guy from Spain came really close to first but has to deal with second and a woman from Scotland got third"Conner remarked. "What about you Conner?". "I tied with Mayrse with levitation but the disappearing competition is in an hour"Conner replied. "I guess it's time to disappear" and Criss went to his auditorium. When he got there Costa was pacing. "What's going on where’s Janet?".

"Janet is stuck in Las Vegas" Costa remarked. "Why?"Criss asked a tad confused. "For some reason her name is on the no fly list she's trying to straighten out. What do we do now you need to make someone or something disappear and it can't be you" Costa replied. Criss started to mumble something while trying to figure it out when Jessie and Conner walked in. "What's wrong Christopher?"Conner asked. "Janet is stuck in Vegas I'm going to be disqualified if I don't get someone or something to disappear" Criss asked. "Criss make me disappear!!"Jessie remarked. "No way I can't do that" Criss replied.

"Criss you said that you brought me here to help out so I'm helping". "She has a point Criss" Costa remarked. "you're not helping Costa"Criss replied "You have to make this awesome Criss Mayrse just made a whole thing of Tigers disappear"Conner replied. " !!". Then Jessie got an idea and ran off. Back-stage the judges were sitting down as Criss paced. "Will you relax"Doug said. "I can't oh god I'm feeling nauseous" Criss remarked sitting down. Then Conner came over. "Christopher Jessie's here with a surprise". Jessie came in with a deer. "What the heck is that?"Costa asked. "It's a Red Deer it's indigents to Scotland and I thought we'd up the ante by making six of them disappear"she remarked as Costa saw five more outside. "It's intersting I'll give you that"Costa stated.

"Question where did you get six Red Deers?"Criss inquired. "I saw a zoo down the street but, I had to give the guy something for collateral just in case"Jessie stated. "What?"Costa inquired. "Criss's cuff necklace"she replied. Criss was ready to scream bloody murder but decided to talk to her about stealing later. "Get the dears and let's go"Criss stated and they brought in the rest of the deers. After Criss made the six deers disappear he and Jessie brought them back . Criss got his necklace back and they went back to the hotel. When they came in Doug was talking to Conner. "We just saw the result for disappearing Mayrse beat you but a half a point"Doug remarked. "I think slipping in the deer's dung wasn't a good final to the trick"Criss replied. "Well in the overall you and Mayrse are tied so that's good"Conner said.

"If you don't mind I need a shower that smell of deer dung is still on me"Criss stated. "I think you might need to wash your shoes as well Criss"Conner said holding his nose. Criss lend against the wall and took a look. "Great I stepped in deer poop Jessie,". Jessie knew what was going to happen. "For stealing my necklace you are going to clean my shoes and get rid of the deer dung that Doug shoveled off the stage". "Yes Christopher"she remarked. Criss untied his shoes and gave them to Jessie than went upstairs.