The Magic Phantom

<body topmargin="0" leftmargin="0"> <p>The Magic Phantom. Andy Burns. This is a story about a little red telephone box, which may at first appear to be quite ordinary, however, it is far from that. Some people still recall the strange affair which happened so long ago, a mystery never fully explained. So many stories have been told over the years about the strange occurrence. According to one myth, the mystical telephone box was actually said to be a kind of magical time machine. If you have a telephone box in your village or on the corner of your street, that may even be the very one. I was hurrying home in order to avoid getting totally drenched by the April showers, which filled the cold night air. I had the collar of my coat pulled high up over my head, to stop the cold rain running down my neck and looked up at the steeple as the dependable old bell struck nine o'clock. It was at that very moment it happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a bright flash of light and I turned with shock towards the telephone box to see what it was. To my astonishment, I was staring at a bizarre looking outline, of what appeared to be a kind of circus performer. He wore a flowing coat with long tails and had a striking Top Hat perched on his head. He slowly turned towards me with a beaming smile and then appeared to bow. I was stunned and absolutely bewildered. My mind was racing, but I couldn't move as I tried to take in what was happening. Then I found myself actually wanting to ask this mystical figure who he was. So I plucked up some courage and whispered 'Who are you?' At that moment, the distinguished and kind looking man winked and announced 'Use your magical powers wisely my friend'! Before I could ask him what he meant, there was a bright flash and he vanished like a MAGIC PHANTOM. (Can you find The Magic Phantom? - try waving your mouse like a magic wand over the screen.) Werdna Snurb may have been just a humble inventor, but he had a brilliant mind and had created many marvellous new things. For one he had made a very useful device that you could stick to your shoes. Once firmly fastened to the sole of your boot this device would prevent you from slipping on any Banana skins that maybe striven on the ground. He was such a genius he had even invented a wonderful fountain pen that would magically do all of your homework for you, whilst you had lots of fun playing with all your friends outside. Werdna however, was an extremely modest man and he had never really been aware of his own brilliance. Over the years many people had benefited from his terrific inventions but most people didn't really know who he was. In fact, he was no ordinary inventor, he was far more than that. What no one knew about Werdna was his secret. He was without a doubt a Great Magician. Furthermore, he was probably the finest Magician the world had ever seen. However, there was a bizarre key to his magical powers. A while back, he had invented an everlasting bag of humbug sweets for a notoriously fine wizard and the sweet toothed conjurer was so overjoyed, that he gave Werdna something quite exceptional. The old wizard had given Werdna an enchanted magical face-mask. He told Werdna, that when he wore this extraordinary mask, he would be able to perform wondrous miracles beyond his wildest dreams. He had also warned Werdna to use his Magical powers extremely wisely. So to the admiration and bewilderment of his onlookers Werdna would perform wonderful magic. People where stunned, baffled and thoroughly amused by his delightful conjuring, but all the time, they where even more curious as to who this amazing man in the mask really was. His true identity was indeed a mystery and he became known as simply - 'The Magic Phantom'. As time went on, Werdna, otherwise known as the Magic Phantom, was getting quite a reputation for himself. He had created quite the stir amongst his fellow magicians, so much so that they, where indeed, just as curious as everyone else, to solve the mystery of the Phantom. And that is how it was for many years, until one day when Werdna decided it was time to perform the ultimate miracle. He would vanish himself into thin air! What is more, he would do it without the use of any magical trickery and more importantly without wearing the enchanted mask. He would at last reveal his true identity to the world. After all, Werdna was an 'Inventor' and he was absolutely sure that he could invent a machine that could make him simply disappear. He set to work immediately planning and experimenting, designing what would be his most fantastic invention ever. Weeks went by, then one night he had a brilliant idea. He would make himself a Magic Time Machine. His idea was that he would propel himself a few seconds ahead into the future, thus becoming momentarily invisible. This would not only be the most impressive magical feat that anyone had ever seen, but it would be achieved by his own invention. Straight away he set to work making his new time machine. As his idea started to develop, he decided that the contraption should take the form of a steel box, with standing room. Furthermore this steel box should also have plenty of windows built into it, so he could clearly be seen to vanish from within. The problem was, where could he get such a 'box' from? It was then he had a brilliant idea. He would make his machine from an ordinary Red Telephone box, similar to the one on the corner of the village green. After many weeks of hard work he had finally finished his brand new machine. He was now very happy, extremely excited and couldn't wait to show the world what he was going to describe as the best Magical happening, ever to be performed. As for being known as the Phantom, well, that would all change when he finally unmasked himself to reveal he was really Werdna Snurb the inventor. He had decided that he would vanish himself for the world to see, at exactly 9pm, on the 12th of April. He released his messenger dove at once to spread the word and soon it was front-page news everywhere. The magic phantom would at last remove his mask to reveal his true identity and then vanish into thin air. Eventually the big day arrived. Werdna was extremely excited and went through all the final arrangements in his mind. The gleaming red telephone box stood in the middle of the village green, surrounded by hundreds of people, who had gathered to witness the Phantom perform this breathtaking miracle. There was also an air of anticipation as the world waited for the Magic Phantom to finally be unmasked. Meanwhile, in his nearby house, Werdna was making all the final preparations. He tied his mask around his eyes carefully and then gently lifted his magical Top hat onto his head. He picked up his cane and positioned it under his arm, whilst he diligently pulled on his white gloves. Werdna was now the Magic Phantom and ready to show the world his fabulous new miracle. As he stepped into the crowd there was a massive cheer and he waved as he approached the Telephone box. His mind was focused firmly on the magical task ahead as he turned abruptly, then slowly lifted his cane and gestured for silence. 'I will now demonstrate the greatest magical miracle the world has ever seen', he announced. 'I will enter the Telephone Box, close the door and will count to three', he explained. 'After counting to three I will remove my mask and VANISH'. He stepped forward and opened the door. With a chilling creek, the door swung open and Werdna had one last glance at his audience, before he finally entombed himself within his machine. Looking at him through the small pain glass windows the befuddled apprehensive crowd fell silent. The atmosphere was electrifying and you could almost hear a pin drop as Werdna began his slow count to three. 'One two', he paused, then just as he said 'THREE', he began to untie his mask and as he did so there was an amazingly bright flash from inside the little red telephone box, as the whole thing shook from side to side. Magical stars and eerie fog bellowed out, until finally everything stopped as suddenly as it started. Gradually the mist cleared to reveal that the Magic Phantom had indeed VANISHED. (Try placing your mouse over the telephone box) The crowd of onlookers where totally taken aback and could not understand where the magician had disappeared too. As they had been peering through the glass pains of the telephone box, the last they had seen of the Phantom was as he was attempting to remove his mask. As he tried to remove it, it was then that utter chaos ensued. What had happened to this mysterious man within? Absolutely confused, the onlookers starred with raised eyebrows, mouths wide open and completely dumfounded. Totally amazed, they then broke into a thunderous round of applause, it seemed the only thing to do under the extraordinary circumstances. As the applause gradually subsided they now anxiously awaited his return. In fact they waited and waited and waited but nothing. Had something gone terribly wrong? Minutes then hours went by and he still hadn't re-appeared. Where was the Magic Phantom? In fact after a while the empty little red telephone box stood there as if nothing had ever happened. Days, weeks, months then years went by and eventually everyone forgot about the strange magic phantom that had once mysteriously vanished. No one to this day has ever discovered what became of him UNITL NOW! Website designed and hosted by v1tec.com</p> </body>